Junious Brickhouse
Junious L. Brickhouse is an internationally recognized scholar practitioner dedicated to the sustainability of Hip Hop Cultures. As a researcher, folklorist, cultural ambassador, mentor, and logistician, Junious currently serves as Director of Next Level, driving the strategic direction of the program’s cultural diplomacy and global conflict transformation initiatives, activating 30+ years of community engagement in over 60 countries.
Born in Virginia Beach, VA, his dance training began at family gatherings dancing the funk styles of the era. Growing up, he sought out all the learning opportunities available to him, from community centers to parking lots, where young people were teaching each other and building communities around urban dance forms. Early on, he established himself as a leader and mentor in those communities serving to educate and guide others. At age 18, Junious embarked on an over 21-year career as a Logistics Professional in the U.S. Army and later as a Department of Defense contractor. Throughout this time in various international assignments, Junious developed both a military and dance career, eventually rising to positions of leadership and responsibility in both areas.
Upon his return to the United States, Junious founded Urban Artistry Inc. (www.urbanartistry.org), inspiring and creating a movement of artists dedicated to the preservation of street dance culture, specifically within communities of practice. As Urban Artistry’s Executive Director, Junious produces projects such as The International Soul Society Festival, The Preservatory and the UA Digital Archives to encourage other artists to research and document tradition bearers and their contributions. Today, Urban Artistry continues to flourish as a model for community-focused urban arts programming and cultural preservation with international reach.
Junious’ daily focus on mentorship is the backbone to his international impact and success. Having the honor of being mentored by two NEA National Heritage Fellows (John Dee Holeman and Phil Wiggins), Junious invests and advises his mentees in sustainability as tradition bearers, and creating accessible pathways to institutional investment within urban arts communities.
To further the access to these pathways, Junious continues to present and teach at colleges and universities, using an experiential approach to teaching Movement of the African American South, Hip Hop Culture as well as Street Dance movement and the cultural context from which it evolves.
Advocating for greater inclusion of Urban Dance and Music Cultures as American Folklife Traditions on a national scale, Junious serves as Co-Chair of the Cultural Diversity Committee at the American Folklore Society, as well as an Executive Board Member at the National Council for the Traditional Arts. Junious also conducts independent research into those cultural traditions whose influence is reflected in urban dance culture. From Ring Shouts and Acoustic Country Blues to Hip Hop, understanding the nature and meaning of these art forms and their influences, is what motivates this artist.
Junious was first on Next Level Team Senegal and has returned to serve as site manager for Indonesia, Myanmar, Egypt, Nigeria, Mexico, Bolivia, and Nigeria.
