Today we’d like to introduce you to Jo Flavor.
Hi Jo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Online, I’m known as Jo Flavor, but my name is Joel Barnes. I’m a Washington, D.C.-born artist, educator, content creator, husband, and father. Creativity has always been a major part of who I am, which led me to earn my degree in Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts with a concentration in Advertising Design from Bowie State University. I eventually became an elementary art teacher, and for the past eight years, I’ve had the opportunity to help young people develop their creativity while continuing to grow as an artist myself.
During the pandemic, I began creating more digital art and developed my own faceless portrait style. Over time, I’ve realized that my creativity extended beyond traditional artwork. I also love cooking, storytelling, faith-based encouragement, humor, sneakers, and sharing real moments from my everyday life. Instead of forcing myself into one category, I decided to bring all of those interests together.
That journey became Tha Flavor Fil3s—a lifestyle brand built around faith, art, and food. In March 2026, I officially established Tha Flavor Fil3s LLC, turning an idea into a real business. Since then, I’ve continued developing original artwork, food content, and different video series that allow people to experience every side of who I am.
Becoming a husband and a father—first as a stepfather and now to a newborn son—has added even more purpose to what I create. Today, I’m still teaching, still learning, and still building. My goal is to grow Tha Flavor Fil3s into a recognizable creative universe that encourages people to embrace everything that makes them unique, trust God throughout the process, and never be afraid to run their numbers up.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to balance being an educator, husband, father, artist, content creator, and business owner without neglecting any part of my life. Because I have so many interests, I’ve also struggled with feeling like I needed to choose one lane in order to be successful.
There have been moments of self-doubt, inconsistency, and comparison, especially while trying to build something people may not immediately understand. I’ve had to learn the business side of being creative while continuing to create, teach, support my family, and work with limited time and resources. I’ve also had to accept that every idea will not work the first time and that changing direction doesn’t mean I’ve failed—it means I’m growing.
Through every challenge, my faith has kept me grounded. I’m learning to trust God’s timing, give myself grace, and remain consistent even when the results aren’t immediate. The road hasn’t always been easy, but every obstacle has helped me become more focused, intentional, and confident in the vision I have for Tha Flavor Fil3s.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tha Flavor Fil3s LLC ?
Tha Flavor Fil3s LLC is a lifestyle and creative media brand where faith, art, and food come together through authentic storytelling. The name represents the different “fil3s” that make up who I am. One file may feature an original piece of artwork, another may be a food review or recipe, and another may capture a lesson about faith, fatherhood, motivation, or everyday life.
I specialize in creating original artwork, food and lifestyle content, faith-based encouragement, and entertaining video series. As the brand continues to grow, I’m also developing merchandise and digital products that reflect the personality, creativity, and messages behind Tha Flavor Fil3s.
What sets the brand apart is that I don’t try to present myself as only one thing. I’m a man of faith, husband, father, an artist, an educator, foodie, and sneakerhead. I allow all of those parts of my life to exist within the same creative universe. My content combines faith, humor, honesty, creativity, and my Washington, D.C. personality in a way that feels genuine to me.
What I’m most proud of is building a brand that gives me the freedom to be myself while encouraging other people to do the same. Tha Flavor Fil3s is still growing, but it has already become more than a business name—it represents my journey, my creativity, and the legacy I want to build for my family.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best about Baltimore is its personality. As someone who was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and now lives in Timonium, I appreciate the unique blend of history, art, food, music, and culture found throughout the Baltimore area. What stands out most is the creativity of the people. There are so many talented artists, entrepreneurs, educators, chefs, and content creators building meaningful things within their communities. Baltimore has a realness and character that you can feel through its neighborhoods, local businesses, and the pride people have in where they come from.
What I like least is that Baltimore’s talent and potential are often overshadowed by negative headlines and stereotypes. There are also communities that deserve greater investment, resources, safety, and opportunities. I would love to see more attention given to the people doing positive work every day and more support for the local creatives and small businesses helping Baltimore grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stan.store/JoFlavor91
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_flavorfil3s
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DTbBHHAf9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThaFlavorFil3s
