Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Monroe often says he was born on Black Wall Street and raised by the Harlem Renaissance.

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“Those two timeframes and the people that existed in both inspire me because what they represented and what they did is proof to me that who I am, and what I want to do has been done before. Though it may look and seem impossible sometimes, if they can do it with the adversity of those times then there’s no reason why I can’t.”

 

International/Celebrity Photographer

 

With a versatile portfolio spanning more than 15 years, Monroe’s expertise includes photography, graphic and web design, video animation, production, and public speaking. His photography work has received global attention—gracing major campaigns, prestigious platforms like GLAMOUR South Africa and The Angelicum, and major television shows such as The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Wendy Williams Show. His breakout on Hulu’s exclusive mobile photography reality series Exposure in 2021 led to a coveted influencer partnership with Samsung, where he appeared in campaigns that fused technology, culture, and personal storytelling.

 

Monroe’s fine art photography has taken center stage in several highly regarded exhibitions. His debut show, "Reflecting Beauty," premiered at Brooklyn’s Basquiat’s Bottle, running for seven weeks and drawing over 200 guests to a sold-out opening night. The immersive exhibit was a celebration of melanin, identity, and self-reflection. His follow-up exhibition, "Return of the Renaissance Man," showcased in Harlem, was a visual dialogue between eras—connecting Black Wall Street to a reimagined Harlem Renaissance and Monroe’s return to Harlem after the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Monroe is currently in the midst of “A Reawakening,” a touring exhibition that debuted at ArtfullWalls in Harlem and will travel to in the summer of 2025. The collection explores themes of legacy, protest, fashion, and Black joy—bridging historical narratives with contemporary Black identity. Events attached to the exhibit include panel discussions, cabaret nights, poetry slams, and cultural mixers that bring community, art, and storytelling together.

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Entrepreneur

 

As Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Monroe Media, a multimedia consultancy firm headquartered in New York, J. Monroe now enjoys a bicoastal life often traveling between the Big Apple and the City of Angels. His company has successfully led domestic and international campaigns and projects for clients including American Heart Association, Superior Essex, Morehouse College, and York College. As well as Fantasia, Missy Elliott, Kirk Franklin and many more. What Monroe brings to his clients is an unwavering commitment to shaping thought-provoking content across diverse media avenues. A broadcast journalism graduate and proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Monroe also makes a point of giving back. In addition to collaborating with international non-profits, he advocates for the fair compensation and advancement of underrepresented creatives. He routinely teaches classes, provides internships, and has partnered with institutions like Langston University and Benedict College to create pipelines of opportunity for students pursuing careers in media and the arts.