Meet Joe Mcclain Jr.

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joe Mcclain Jr.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joe below.

Hi Joe, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose in 2001, during my junior year at East Chicago Central High School in East Chicago, Indiana. My English Literature teacher, Mrs. Brenda Joshua, enhanced my writing abilities through extra assignments that only she would review. While I initially hated this, I later came to realize that she had seen a gift in me before I even knew it existed. Without her, I wouldn’t be the author/creative that i am today. So, I am eternally grateful for her guidance, wisdom, and willingness to take a chance on a loud mouth 16 yea old kid.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a 13x author with Uprock Publications, an independent Black owned publication company started by my business partner/friend Caujuan Mayo. I was introduced with him in 2014, and we instantly clicked. After releasing three books under the Uprock imprint, I became a marketing director for the company. To this day, we have seen our books be obtained by some of the best NBA, MLB, NFL, and entertainment gurus to date (Ex: Nick Cannon, Jerry Rice, Reggie Bush, Latroy Hawkins).. Caujuan just released a book that he co-wrote with Les Brown, so that is major for us. Additionally, and probably most well known, is my spoken word prowess. I am a nationally recognized spoken word artist who has been full time on the scene since 2014. During that time, I have opened up for R&B /Neo Soul legends Joe, Jon B., and Dwele. In 2019, I placed Top 25 in the world at the annual Individual World Poetry Slam. I have won or finished top 4 at many major tournaments across the nation, to include the Chicharra Poetry Slam Festival(Albuquerque) and the Griot & Grey Poetry Slam (Durham, NC, on the campus of Duke University). Also, I am a member of the 2024 San Diego Slam team, which won the Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam tournament in Portland, Oregon. I tour extensively in and out of the college scene. Major universities I have been featured at are North Dakota State University, University of Tulsa, and Thee Ohio State University. What excites me the most about what I do is the rush of performing in front of hundreds, and sometimes thousands. Currently, my new book SKETCHES will be released on 2/14/2025.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. The ability to listen and take constructive criticism from those who came before me and excelled in the same field as me.
2. The willingness to steady improve my writing and performance attributes.
3. Taking responsibility for everything that happens along the way. Meaning, I embraced my wins and losses, and also my mistakes, bad choices, and victories all in the same. Self accountability is a must.

My advice to anyone looking to excel in writing, spoken word, or any creative arts is to check your ego at the door. We all have one, yes. However, it will destroy you if you cannot control it. There are a lot of artists with million dollar egos, and $10 resumes, or bank accounts. Don’t be one of them.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

Everyday I wake up, the challenge I face is a heart condition called SVT(Supraventricular tachycardia). I had a heart attack in 2008, due to a previously undetected condition, and corrective surgery in 2010. A side effect from the surgery is random racing of the heart episodes. I have an implant in my chest and while performing, I am overly cautious about my heart rhythm, breathing, and just the state of my physical being. It is also the reason I go so hard. I’ve faced death head on and survived, so I don’t take anything I do for granted.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Rashad Autman (blue hat photo reading book)
Rosa Armijo-Pemble (two pics with microphone performing in hoodie and shirt)
Ashley Adair (brown hat photo)

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,