5 minute read
CHOREOGRAPHER TO THE STARS
from HBCU Times Magazine
by HBCU Times
It was at Voorhees, however, that Josef joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and added he really began to understand and appreciate his gift and how to manage and create productions with no budget.
“Being Step Master and spearheading performances helped prepare me for what I do now,” he said.
While on campus, Jamal said he also had an opportunity to help breakdown certain mentalities while educating and exposing his fellow Tigers, that “there is something to believe in” beyond what you can see.
Though he would not live back in South Cackalacky, Jamal has not forgotten the Palmetto State and has been a guest lecturer at Allen University and in 2019, choreographed the Mr. and Miss Benedict College Pageant - “Courtchella.”
The HBCU experience taught Josef how to work efficiently and deal with different types of people.
Over the last few years, Jamal has lost some close relatives and friends and it’s caused him to become more introspective.
“Life happens, but you have to finish the job you’re called to. You still have to show up, recalling a line from House of Alpha, ‘Tired moments find me a delightful treat…’”
He said, “The intake experience for Alpha and having graduated from an HBCU really helped me deal with many aspects of life.”
“A lot of the entertainers that we’ve come to love have come from HBCUs. The more that we can support HBCUs, it gives young Black people a place to go and develop and network with aspiring leaders who look like them.”
“When you get out into the real world - you’re Black and little is cared about the fact that you went to Harvard,” he said.
“If we support HBCUs the way we do PWIs, we could have the same great things and more, but it begins with us supporting us even when no one else will.”
Not many people can say that they’ve worked with the A list clientele as Josef has.
“It’s very humbling and something I’m still getting used to in terms of realizing just how blessed I am to have worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.”
“I put a lot of pressure on myself to do better or be worse,” the N.E.R.D. dancer said. Jamal danced for Pharell’s album release party with less than 12 hours’ notice.
He said Pharell was really down-to-earth and easy to work with, but when he got the call it taught him to always be ready and helped develop his mind mentally for other opportunities down the road.
Each set that Josef is booked for pushes him forward in different ways he says.
It was ‘Beychella’ that stretched the artist the most so far.
Unable to take the music home to study, Josef said he had to remember the music and strike the right balance between being Greek, but not too Greek so that all spectators could appreciate the culture of stepping.
He’s a master of his craft but is humble enough to say he has more to learn and do. This reality became all too clear as the Future History founder, joined millions as Kobe Bryant’s tragic death in January ignited collective grief.
Many have asked why he grinds so hard.
“You never know when your time is up. Using the time God gave you is important. Loving those beside you,” he wrote on Facebook.
“All the fame and social media likes fade away, but your legacy lives on,” Josef said his grind is 100 times harder now since the ill-fated flight took the life of the Lakers legend #24, his daughter Mamacita #2 and seven other remarkable people.
Jamal said he likes being the light in a dark place.
“I lean on my father a lot for spiritual guidance and he also understands the business side of the entertainment industry.”
Make no mistake, Jamal is a beast with his dance moves, but he’s mean with the racket and paintbrush.
The tennis player and muralist is expanding his business to include Future History and Eden Dance Ministry.
“Create a future that’s going to make a great history” is his mantra.
Erykah Badu, Megan Thee Stallion, Brandy, and Jazmine Sullivan are a few artists that Josef would like to team up with.
But, if afforded the opportunity to work with Serena Williams, he’ll probably shed a tear or two.
2020 is well underway, but for Josef, he is looking to elevate his career to include movies, broadway and choreographing an entire tour.
For Jamal, sleep and food are the go-to for downtime. “I keep hot sauce in my bag.”
Anything Cajun, Mexican, Thai or Chinese would be a perfect pairing for a night catching up on Hulu.
The Libra says he loves both the beach and the mountains but would choose to spend the day in the mountains.
A lover of hats, he would rock a suit to a Kanye West Sunday Service.
The night owl said plant-based eating is cool, but he needs meat.
There’s nothing like unwinding with a hot cup of chamomile tea after a hard day of putting in work, but there’s also nothing like the support of true friends.
“Support your friends like they are Beyoncé.”
Josef debuted his first dance short film inspired by the movie Harriet.
The dancers in ‘Harriet of Exodus’ performed to Cynthia Erivo’s Oscar-nominated song ‘Stand Up.’
Your friends are like your family and should be the first ones in a room and the last ones to leave.
“Some days I’m still figuring it out, but I encourage people to check on your “strong” friends, the one who you think has it all together - they need you too.”
Support isn’t always financial, it could be sharing posts, referring you to someone or vice versa or asking what you can do to help, Josef said.
One thing’s for sure, Jamal has worked for some big names, serves a big God, but he has a heart that is just as big.
Kimberlei Davis is a published author, brand strategist, empowerment speaker and an accomplished journalist currently working in print, digital and broadcast media. She is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University and is the founder of The LEAP Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at assisting with the academic outcome of foster children. Kimberlei is the mother of one son, Benjamin. Connect with the writer @KimberleiDavis
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