Judge Joe Stephens

Judge Joe Stephens was sworn in as Presiding Judge of Harris County Justice of the Peace Court (Precinct 3-1) on January 1, 2017.

Judge Joe Stephens was born and raised in Houston Texas. After graduating from The University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he returned home to Houston to play for the Houston Rockets which launched his four-year NBA career, followed by a six-year basketball career in Europe. He returned to school after playing basketball and graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Master’s in Business Administration.

Judge Stephens is generous with his time and resources. He founded the Joe Stephens Foundation in 1999 to benefit at-risk youth in the North Channel area, best known for putting on basketball camps for over 1,000 youth while simultaneously teach them valuable life skills. To date, more than 50 college scholarships have been awarded, over 75 participants from the camp have attended college on full athletic scholarships, and a number of local charities have benefited from donations from the foundation.

Judge Joe Stephens serves on numerous boards and is a member of many organizations. His passion is for helping youth and success for him would be defined by every student going on equipped with tools to become positive, productive citizens. His motto that he lives by is, “If you shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you are still among the stars”.

Education:
North Shore Senior High School
University of Phoenix, Master of Business Administration
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Bachelor of Science, Health Education
South Texas College of Law (current)

Professional Memberships:
National Basket Ball Players Association Retired Players Association Member; Big Brothers/Big Sisters – Mentor

Philanthropic/Volunteerism/Entrepreneurism:
Joe Stephens Foundation – Founder
Joe Stephens Basketball Camp – Founder
St. Johns United Methodist Church – Member/Youth Leader
Wendell D. Ley YMCA – Director
The Texas Society – Member
Galena Park ISD School Board President
Former Woodforest Section 26 HOA President
Barrett Station Civic League President
Baytown Chamber of Commerce
Baytown Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Member
Crosby Chamber of Commerce Member
Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce Member
North Channel Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
Galena Park/Jacinto City Rotary Club
LULAC Council 4703

Acknowledgements:
Who’s Who American Colleges & Universities – Member