Art Hause Village Foundation: A Vision of Healing +Unity

Joi Adams was born in Seattle, Washington, in the 1980s, into a world shaped by profound hardship and complexity. Her mother, a courageous but vulnerable 15-year-old, was caught in the devastating cycles of domestic violence, addiction, and crushing poverty. From Joi’s earliest memories, life was marked by chaos, displacement, and pain—but also by a flickering flame of resilience that refused to go out. She bore witness not only to her mother’s descent into despair, but also to her fierce climb back toward sobriety, education, and stability. That transformation —hard-won and heroic—etched a blueprint of survival and strength into Joi’s spirit. It was more than a family story; it was the foundation upon which Joi would later build her own journey.

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But the road was far from easy. By the age of 12, Joi had already been swept into the undertow of her environment. She was arrested for selling crack cocaine—her first felony conviction—and by 14, she faced the unimaginable: a juvenile life sentence for a gun charge. It was a brutal reflection of a justice system that viewed children not as products of their circumstances, but as criminals beyond redemption. Fortunately, a local youth advocacy group intervened, refusing to let her story end in a cell. Their relentless efforts led to the landmark case Adams v. State of Washington—a turning point not only for Joi, but for thousands of youth across the state. The ruling recognized the critical developmental differences between children and adults and ended the automatic imposition of life sentences on minors in Washington. Joi’s personal survival became a catalyst for sweeping reform, embedding compassion, justice, and hope into the legal system—principles she would carry forward for the rest of her life.

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Despite the groundbreaking legal victory that had once redefined juvenile justice, Joi Adams’s personal battle was far from over. The scars of childhood trauma, systemic neglect, and generational cycles of poverty still ran deep and Joi left home at 15. By the age of 17, Joi had accumulated seven felony charges—a staggering reflection not of her character, but of the brutal realities she had been forced to navigate. These weren’t simply crimes on paper; they were echoes of a young girl crying out in a world that too often failed to hear her.

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At 21, her past caught up with her once again. Joi was indicted and sentenced to a year in jail as a ring leader of a criminal organization —this time as a young mother. Her daughter was only three months old when Joi was taken away, and the agony of that separation seared a permanent mark on her soul. It was in that cell, stripped of freedom and the chance to hold her baby, that Joi faced her most defining moment. With the weight of loss pressing on her heart, she made a sacred vow to herself: she would never again allow her life to be dictated by cages, cycles, or systems built to break her. That vow became her lifeline—and her turning point. Against all odds, Joi kept her promise. She walked out of jail with nothing but conviction in her spirit and a fierce determination to rewrite the narrative.

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In 2008, at just 23 years old, Joi took one of the boldest steps of her life. She left behind everything familiar and moved to Baltimore—penniless, unconnected, and with only the love of her mother, who had also relocated there whom she had not lived with since she was 15. Baltimore, like Joi, was a city shaped by beauty and brokenness, and it was here that her redemption began to unfold. Within three months of arriving, Joi did the unthinkable. She shattered two historic barriers at once—becoming not only the first Black woman but also the first person with a felony conviction to be hired full-time by Major League Baseball and the Baltimore Orioles, as their Operations Manager.

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What could have been just a job became a mission. For eight seasons, Joi used her position not just to manage operations, but to open doors. She organized hundreds of free baseball events, bringing thousands of Baltimore residents—many of whom had never stepped foot inside a stadium—into the ballpark. These weren’t just outings; they were moments of joy, pride, and shared humanity. Joi transformed Camden Yards into a sanctuary of possibility, reminding a city burdened by hardship that it still had magic, and that it belonged to everyone.

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Through it all, Joi didn’t just rebuild her own life—she began helping others find their way back to theirs.

Starting in 2009, Joi Adams began carving out a powerful presence in Baltimore’s creative landscape, not with spectacle, but with service. She launched A1 Radio: The Voice of the Streets, a groundbreaking platform that would soon become a lifeline for over 100 emerging artists. More than just a radio show, A1 Radio was a cultural force—a space where raw talent, real stories, and unfiltered truths found a home. In a city grappling with generational poverty, violence, and systemic neglect, Joi’s show gave voice to the unheard. Artists shared not only their music, but their struggles, dreams, and visions for change—sparking conversations that resonated across neighborhoods.

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In 2010, drawing from her own experience of isolation during incarceration—when she received no mail—Joi launched a prison ministry focused on connection and healing. She created a prison newsletter that grew to include over 500 inmates, providing a platform for them to submit poetry and share their voices. In 2011, Joi took her commitment further by publishing a book for a gentleman serving a double life sentence. She meticulously typed, edited, and prepared his handwritten manuscript for publication, then personally sold over 1,000 copies out of her car trunk in Baltimore. Together, they launched Behind the Wall Mentors, a platform supporting incarcerated authors and mentors that continues to thrive today, even though Joi is no longer directly involved. Thanks to the mentorship and foundation Joi helped establish, the author she published has become a mentor himself, teaching others the art of publishing. Since 2012, he and a group of incarcerated writers at Cumberland Prison have published more than 10 books behind bars, extending Joi’s legacy of empowerment and creative expression within prison walls.

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But Joi’s influence stretched far beyond the airwaves. She quickly became a mentor, a counselor, and a relentless advocate. She walked with artists through battles with addiction, helped launch grassroots businesses, and cultivated talent with a long view—focused not on overnight fame, but on building legacies. As her reputation grew, so did her responsibilities. Joi helped to develop an entire online radio network, producing dozens of shows and podcasts that reflected the diversity, pain, joy, and creativity of the city. At her peak, she was managing over 20 different programs at once—a staggering feat that spoke to her unmatched drive and vision.

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Still, Joi began to realize that her true gift wasn't just in hosting or producing—it was in developing people. Behind the scenes, she was a strategist, a nurturer of dreams, and a visionary talent manager. That calling came into full bloom in 2012 when she landed her first major artist management campaign: a public service partnership with the State of Maryland aimed at combating gambling addiction. Joi’s artist led the charge, creating a jingle that echoed across Baltimore, while the campaign’s visuals—plastered on city buses and billboards—captured attention and stirred conversation. It was a defining moment, proving that art could do more than entertain; it could educate, heal, and mobilize.

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In 2013, her impact deepened when she began managing a second artist whose career would reach national heights. Under Joi’s guidance, he landed a landmark feature with the late, beloved rapper Young Dolph, a symbol of authenticity and independence in hip hop. Even more transformative was the mentorship he received under Kevin Liles who signed him—a Baltimore native and iconic music executive who rose to fame as President of Def Jam Recordings. Known for shaping the careers of artists like Jay-Z, DMX, and Ludacris, Liles brought both industry clout and local heart to the collaboration. Joi had positioned her artist not just for success, but for greatness—bridging the gap between grassroots grit and global opportunity.

These moments marked a turning point in Joi’s career—but more importantly, they reflected her deepest belief: that art, when nurtured with care and purpose, could be a pathway to transformation—not just for the artist, but for entire communities.

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In 2014, after years of breaking barriers with the Baltimore Orioles, Joi made a courageous decision to leave her groundbreaking role and dedicate herself fully to her blossoming music and entertainment career. That year marked a new chapter of creative leadership and community devotion. Joi organized Baltimore’s largest record pool event, the A1Music Record Pool, a vibrant hub that brought together more than 20 emerging artists. This event became an essential platform—not just for performance, but for networking, collaboration, and empowerment in a city hungry for authentic artistic expression.

 

In 2014, facing the profound personal challenge of her daughter’s father being sentenced to 14 years in prison, Joi refused to be consumed by grief. Instead, she harnessed that deep pain and transformed it into a source of empowerment and action. Alongside her then 7-year-old daughter, Melodie, Joi channeled their shared strength into planning and executing community-driven initiatives that celebrated resilience and healing. This period marked a powerful evolution in Joi’s work, as her passion for community healing expanded beyond the realm of music and into tangible, nurturing experiences for families. One of her hallmark projects from that time was “Daddy Daughter Day,” an event that warmly welcomed over 100 fathers and daughters to gather for brunch, bonding exercises, and healing activities. These events went far beyond simple social gatherings—they became vital spaces for repairing fractured relationships, fostering empathy, and strengthening the very social fabric of Baltimore’s neighborhoods. Through these heartfelt moments, Joi sowed seeds of connection, hope, and restoration in communities yearning for unity and love, proving that even the harshest setbacks can be transformed into a foundation for lasting positive change.

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The following year, 2015, brought a reckoning to Baltimore and to Joi’s mission. The tragic death of Freddie Gray and the ensuing protests exposed raw wounds across the city, igniting social upheaval and urgent calls for justice. Joi answered that call. Partnering with the Hip Hop Caucus, she spearheaded the Solutions for Baltimore campaign, using her media expertise and deep-rooted cultural ties to create spaces for dialogue, understanding, and healing amid unrest. She tirelessly organized city hall meetings, school tours, and youth engagement programs, playing a pivotal role in calming tensions and opening pathways toward opportunity for Baltimore’s young people. Her work gave voice to a generation seeking both justice and hope.

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In 2016, Joi took a decisive step to deepen her creative craft by investing in her first professional camera and securing mentorship from a renowned filmmaker. This guidance proved transformative, fueling her artistic evolution. From 2016 through 2024, Joi’s creative journey blossomed as she directed over 100 music videos, commercials, mini-documentaries, and short films. Through her compassionate and visionary lens, she captured the spirit, resilience, and vibrancy of Baltimore and beyond—telling powerful stories of struggle, hope, and triumph that resonated deeply within the community.

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In 2017, Joi relocated to Los Angeles, embracing a dynamic dual career that would span both coasts. In LA, she immersed herself in television, contributing to popular productions like Love & Hip Hop, while managing talented artists including Marcus Black and Brooke Valentine. At the same time, Joi demonstrated remarkable business acumen by leading a commercial real estate firm specializing in multifamily housing—a demanding role she balanced by day, even as she continued to push creative marketing and music campaigns on nights and weekends. This balancing act showcased her unparalleled versatility, resilience, and unwavering commitment to uplifting both people and places through her work.

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By 2019, after years of relentless work and mounting pressures, Joi found herself facing the heavy weight of burnout—both physically and spiritually exhausted. This moment of breaking became a catalyst for deep inner transformation. She turned her gaze inward, committing to healing not just as a concept but as a daily practice. From this crucible arose The Art of Healing and Happiness, a grassroots initiative dedicated to spiritual wellness, ancestral healing, and creative therapy. Joi’s transformation was profound and visible. She embraced rigorous fitness routines with a fierceness that surprised even herself, incorporated herbal medicine, and shed over 50 pounds. More than a physical change, this was a reclamation of self—an act of reclaiming her body, mind, and spirit from years of turmoil.

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In early 2020, when the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into stillness, Joi made the courageous decision to leave Los Angeles, resign from her real estate career, and return to Baltimore. She transformed the basement of her rented home into a free music studio—a safe haven where artists could heal, create, and find refuge amid quarantine and uncertainty.

Amid this challenging time, Joi also realized her long-held vision by opening The Baltimore Art Hause, a sacred sanctuary for women and youth deeply affected by trauma. This space offered more than artistic expression; it was a healing refuge where the restorative powers of art, herbal medicine, meditation, and community connection nurtured broken spirits back to wholeness.

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Shortly after opening The Art Hause, Joi faced a profound personal crisis. An artist she had welcomed into her sanctuary introduced her to cocaine—freely given and without limits—a poison disguised as comfort and false friendship. What began as an attempt to soothe pain during quarantine quickly spiraled into a nearly year-long battle with addiction, made even more painful by emotional abuse from someone who was supposed to be part of her healing community.

Her addiction escalated until it nearly cost her life, leading to a hospitalization that lasted two weeks. During that time, amid the quiet and stillness of the sterile hospital environment—where she witnessed people succumbing to COVID-19—Joi was able to sober up. It was there that she first envisioned creating a summer program to support youth facing struggles similar to her own. She took the courageous step of clearing drugs from her home, determined to rebuild the healing space she had begun.

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In a stark and haunting parallel to the tragic loss of DMX—who passed away from similar struggles—Joi lay in that hospital bed just days before his death, her own life hanging by a thread. Surrounded by cold walls and the steady beep of machines, she confronted her darkest moments, yet even in that shadow, a flicker of hope endured.

By August 2021, fueled by immense willpower and the unwavering support of those who refused to give up on her, Joi overcame addiction and chose a path of healing and renewal.

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That summer marked a pivotal turning point for Joi. She transformed her pain into purpose by launching a youth empowerment program out of her basement—laying the foundation for what would become The Art Hause Village Foundation. This organization embodies her belief in turning wounds into wisdom and trauma into triumph, serving as a beacon of resilience and hope for others still facing their own struggles.

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Building on this commitment, in 2021 Joi launched Hip Hop Taught You, a free summer camp for 20 local youth. This innovative program combined poetry, music history, and mental health education through music therapy, providing young people a powerful platform to express their pain and discover healing through creativity. Hip Hop Taught You became the seedbed for Lyrics Do Matter, a trauma-informed music curriculum now taught by Joi’s trained artists in jails, schools, and youth centers across Baltimore and Los Angeles—spreading healing, hope, and empowerment far beyond its origins

At the end of 2021, Joi made the difficult decision to close The Baltimore Art Hause and return home to focus on her own healing. In 2022, upon returning to Seattle, she found herself homeless and spent time living in a shelter. It was during this challenging period that she wrote the foundational plan for what would become The Art Hause Village Foundation—a blueprint born from lived experience and unwavering vision.

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That era marked a pivotal point in Joi’s healing journey and she left Seattle once again. Despite sleeping at bus stops and living out of a car in Los Angeles, her dream of creating a sanctuary through The Art Hause never wavered. However, she also endured a toxic roommate situation that broke her down mentally and emotionally—a hardship that lasted nearly two years. Throughout this time, even while facing profound personal struggles, Joi never stopped working or moving forward with her mission.

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In 2023, Joi orchestrated a monumental celebration honoring hip hop’s 50th anniversary, shining a spotlight on Baltimore’s rich cultural legacy. Her initiatives included a street renaming ceremony honoring a local artist whose impact shaped the city’s sound, a heartfelt tribute at Camden Yards where that artist threw out the first pitch, and a sold-out concert at the Hard Rock Café. That same year, Joi brought 350 Baltimore youth to a baseball game free of charge, weaving together culture, community, and opportunity.

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This year also marked a pivotal transition for Joi, as she retired from the entertainment industry to fully dedicate herself to community healing. This shift was symbolized by the formal launch of Lyrics Do Matter—her trauma-informed music curriculum—which held its inaugural program in Los Angeles, expanding the reach of her healing work through creative empowerment and is still being taught til this day. 

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Just months before her 40th birthday in 2024, Joi embarked on a spiritual sabbatical in Spokane, Washington, leaving behind the toxic roommate situation that had weighed heavily on her. There, she formalized her healing movement by founding The Art Hause Village Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that would become the cornerstone of her work. Within just 90 days, the Mayor of Spokane recognized the foundation’s transformative impact by proclaiming October as National Art Heals Month—an annual celebration honoring artists who heal through creativity. This groundbreaking recognition was echoed the following year in Maryland, when Governor Wes Moore officially declared October as Maryland’s National Art Heals Month, affirming Joi’s growing influence and the profound reach of her vision.

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Now at 40 years old, Joi Adams stands as a living legacy—a remarkable woman who has alchemized trauma into purpose and dismantled oppressive systems to forge new pathways of healing, renewal, and empowerment.

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In January 2025, Joi returned to Baltimore to launch Lady Day Hause, a trauma-informed transitional home named in honor of Billie Holiday. Located in an apartment building she personally acquired, the home offers sanctuary and holistic healing for Indigenous women overcoming incarceration, trafficking, addiction, and systemic abuse. Lady Day Hause asks a powerful question: What if Billie Holiday had a home instead of a prison cell? The program offers meditation, counseling, binaural sound therapy, herbal medicine, fitness, art and music therapy, ancestral rituals, and a community garden—nurturing both body and soul. The home is slated to open in summer 2025. In May, Governor Wes Moore’s formal recognition of October as National Art Heals Month in Maryland further embraced Joi’s vision, cementing its statewide importance.

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Joi’s work is deeply rooted in her Indigenous heritage. As a proud descendant of Chief Kiutus Tecumseh of Prophets Town—an esteemed leader dedicated to unifying Indigenous peoples and stewarding the land—Joi weaves ancestral traditions into every facet of her healing work. Through prayer, connection with ancestors, and the use of natural remedies, she is not merely creating programs; she is restoring lineages, reviving traditions, and redefining survival for future generations.

Today, Joi leads The Art Hause Village movement across Baltimore, Spokane, and beyond. Poet, mentor, healer, curriculum creator, nonprofit founder, and community pillar—she embodies a mission that is unapologetically bold: to ensure every woman has a sacred space to heal, reclaim her story, and rewrite her future.

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Looking ahead, Joi aims to elevate her vision nationally, advocating for every state to recognize Art Heals Month each October with festivals, awards, grants, and comprehensive creative support for artists and communities. Beginning in 2026, she plans to build a sustainable tiny home village designed specifically for creators grappling with mental illness, addiction, and loneliness—a community where art, nature, and ancestral wisdom converge to restore wholeness, just as her ancestors lived generations ago.

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Joi’s own words encapsulate her journey and purpose:

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“Healing is not a destination—it’s a revolution of the spirit. When we reclaim our stories and sacred spaces, we transform not only ourselves but entire communities. I am here to build those spaces, to hold that light, and to help others rise.”