Empress Joyce Howard: The Modern-Day Civil Rights Songstress Elevating Music and Community

Joyce Howard, artistically known as Miss Joyce and now recognized as Empress Joyce, is a force in the world of independent R&B and global music. Hailing from Memphis but raised in Germany, Georgia, Joyce spent formative years in Jackson, TN, where her love for music began to take root. Over the years, her artistry has evolved into a dynamic blend of love ballads, empowering anthems, and infectious grooves that leave audiences smiling and swaying across the United States.

As the CEO and Founder of King of Queens Entertainment, LLC, Joyce has cultivated a career that extends far beyond music. A God-fearing songstress with a heart for people, she has built a diverse and devoted following, earning accolades such as Best Female Artist, Best Female R&B Artist, and R&B Artist of the Year. Her song and video “The Point” won recognition at the 2021 Mid-South Film Festival, highlighting her ability to marry storytelling with sound. She has shared the stage with icons like Jill Scott, Mint Condition, Dwele, and Lenny Williams, and was honored with the title of Honorary Emissary of Memphis Music. Notably, she was the only Black female to make the regional finals in the Texaco Country Showdown and is an alumna of the Emerging Stars program through the MMT Consortium.

Miss Joyce’s talents extend beyond the microphone. She has made cameo appearances in acclaimed productions such as Bluff City Law, Uncorked, Million Dollar Quartet, and Women of the Movement. In 2021, she appeared in the sold-out play Dangerous Entanglements, earning accolades for her costumes and wigs. Her performance in A Ferry Tale at the Orpheum addressed human trafficking, reflecting her dedication to using art as a platform for awareness and change. In 2025, she received an Ostrander Award nomination for Cougars II for Best Original Script.

Her journey has not been without adversity. In 2018, Joyce survived a shooting that would have ended many careers, but instead, it inspired her to create the Love Heals Foundation, emphasizing healing, unity, and community empowerment. Beyond advocating against gun violence, she supports veterans, promotes mental health and suicide prevention, and raises awareness for special needs and Autism.

Joyce is also a holistic practitioner and the founder of the R&B on the Fly showcase, giving aspiring vocalists a platform to freestyle, network, and learn the tools for a successful career. Her most recent album, 30 Plus, released in 2021, introduced the world to “Rhythm Hop”—a term Joyce coined to describe her unique fusion of rhythms, sounds, and vocals that define her signature sound.

In 2025, her contributions to music and social justice were formally recognized when she was proclaimed the Modern-Day Civil Rights Songstress by the United States Congress through the MA &9 Mustard Seeds Organization. Today, Empress Joyce collaborates with numerous community organizations, including SOAR, Center for Transforming Communities, More For Memphis, MMT Consortium Alumni, Memphis Artists for Change, and the American Cancer Society, leveraging her influence for the greater good.

Joyce Howard is more than a singer; she is an activist, a mother, and a giver. Through every note, every performance, and every act of service, she inspires others to dance, sing, and live with purpose—one song and one positive action at a time.

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