Founder |
Joshua C.L. StepneyArtist/Organizer |
Joshua "Yhoshua Adama" Stepney has worked most his life to understand and utilize the power of music and the arts. As a self-taught guitarists, vocalists, and performing artist, producing music was how Joshua got his start. Fine tuning his skills while partnering with musicians, he published and independently distributed music online as well as in stores and venues from 2008-2012. With hopes to give independent artists of all disciplines a means to make the more out of their creativity in serving their local communities, Joshua began networking with community organizations. Working with talents like Alexander "Luv'Child", the grandson of the legendary Nina Simone, he published music for movies and events. While working with volunteer faith-based and non-profit organizations in New Jersey, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic Joshua discovered he has a natural ability to work with children. Using his experience, Joshua began the process of developing the Peace Culture Club in 2012 while launching a small consulting company called "La'Sol Promotions". He has always believed that together people can grow and create opportunities that would not have been otherwise possible. As the Peace Culture Club grows, we hope to change lives and share the arts with children across this great nation, promoting peace, and conflict resolution to those who need it most.
Artist Partner |
Danita R. Green, M.A., TLSCAuthor/Artist Activist/Healer |
Danita Rountree Green, M.A., TLSC is a talented wordsmith, trauma healer and co- CEO of Coming To The Table-RVA, a nonprofit committed to racial healing in the city known as the former Capital of the Confederacy. As the only African American in leadership of an inclusivity group in RVA, she facilitates the "courageous yet clumsy" conversation on race, social equity and the legacy of the American Slave Trade for a mixed race audience with over 1200 online members and 300 active participants seeking to heal the wounds of the past. Appearing before audiences on five national tours, Danita has shared the stage with Iyanla Vanzant, Levar Burton and Dr. Bernice King. Her work has been featured in Style, Slantress, Essence and Richmond Magazines as well as USA TODAY and The Wall Street Journal. In 2013, she served as a chairperson for the 8th Annual Arts in Society Conference held in Budapest, Hungary, presenting her research on restorative language as a healing tool in marginalized communities. At home, she is the artist in residence for the Va Dept of Health providing a wide range of services related to trauma informed care. Due to her work in race and trauma, she was selected the United States Dept. of Patents and Trade as their ASALH Hallowed Ground Commemoration speaker in 2016 and co presenter with co-founder of CTTT-RVA, Martha Rollins for WOMANKIND 2018.
Consultant |
Becky JacobsonArt Therapists/Alternative Healer |
Becky Jacobson MA, ATR, CMT graduated from The George Washington University with a masters in Art Therapy with Counseling. She earned a Diploma in Therapeutic Massage From Wellpark College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand in 2008; and she completed her Level 1 Teacher Training in Kundalini Yoga in 2014. At Mind-Body Art Essentials LLC, Becky has combined her skills and practice as a registered art therapist, counselor in residence, certified massage therapist, yoga instructor, and wellness advocate. Here individuals, families, and groups of all ages can address life transitions, grief & loss, trauma, pain management, stress management, identity, anxiety and more through art therapy and mind-body practices. Becky has supported children, teens, and adults through her work within hospice & bereavment organizations, in-patient psychiatric facilities, hospital settings, community-based programs, and wellness centers. She has additionally worked internationally in the field of art therapy focusing on youth empowerment. Becky is passionate about supporting others in creating a healthy & happy life with openness, acceptance, and compassion.
Artist Partner |
Robert "Olu" TaylorMusical Director/Producer/Composer |
Robert Taylor is a composer of songs with deep messages of love, peace, justice, spirituality and culture. Not only is he a versatile and gifted singer, but he is also fluent at playing a variety of instruments such as: bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitars, piano and keyboards, drums and percussion. He is experienced in many different genres of music and influenced by a wide variety singers and composers. As with many black youth growing up in Virginia, he started out singing in the Christian church and grew up listening to Blues, R&B and Jazz. After two years of college, he chose to pursue a career as a touring singer and musician. Twice in his career, he toured Europe as a member of the legendary Jamaican trio “Culture” as bass guitarist for the band. Prior to that, he was one of the founding members of the local band “the Youth Rockers”, and founder\front man for Olu and The Future, as well as Olu and Crown of Honor. With these groups he performed major concerts and opened concerts for major artists such as Lonnie Liston Smith, Gil Scott Heron, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Third World, Steel Pulse, and Burning Spear to name a few.