Joseph Valenté is a Queer, Black, multidisciplinary artist and creative entrepreneur.

Born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Joseph grew up on Chicago’s South Side in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood.

Joseph developed an appreciation for the arts through his family, who all share various creative inclinations. His grandfather, the late Rev. Dr. Kwame John R. Porter was a pioneer in the civil rights movement and dedicated his life to the advancement of African Americans, working alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King jr, Bayard Rustin, Jesse Jackson and countless others. This legacy inspires Joseph to be limitless in his creative and professional pursuits.

Joseph’s dream is to write, perform, collaborate and share the beauty of Black American culture around the world. He has studied voice with Lena Mclin, Richard Nunley, The Juilliard Extension and Adrian Dunn. He has studied acting with Susan Batson Studio in New York and Ivana Chubbuck Studio in Los Angeles.

In addition to performing Joseph Valenté is the founder and lead strategist of R.W.S. Collective, multidisciplinary creative firm based in Chicago.