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Papa Joe Aviance is an African American musician (a house music recording artist), producer, actor, director, writer, cinematographer, weight loss advocate, motivational speaker/life coach, fashion designer and business man.

After struggling with his weight for several years, Aviance lost 250 pounds within 18 months in 2013 by walking and shopping for cheap food from his local 99 Cents store. Using his own weight struggles and triumphs, he went on to become a motivational speaker — encouraging obese children and adults to lose weight. Through his work, he has won numerous awards and is an ambassador for the American Heart Association.

Aviance has appeared on numerous television shows such as The Doctors, the Rachael Ray Show and Good Morning America. He is a producer and host on KNEKT-TV. He is an early member of the House of Aviance, one of the legendary ballroom houses of New York City known for its voguing, music, DJs and fashion. He was anointed by Mother Juan Aviance in the early years of the House's formation in 1989. It is from that House where he takes his last name from as customary within ballroom culture. He is also a best-selling author.

Early life and business career
Aviance was born in Saginaw, Michigan. He was a chubby child growing up in Michigan and struggled with his weight. "Nearly everyone in his family has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. His grandfather died of heart disease."

Aviance's grandfather was a business man whom he credited as his inspiration. As a business man, Aviance traveled to various countries before moving to New York City to work in Wall Street with several high profile companies. To utilise his creativity, Aviance moved to Hollywood in 2002 to pursue a career in acting and music.

In 2009, Aviance launched his clothing line "Joe Joe". This clothing line "incorporates different aspects of his music." He is also the founder and CEO of "Papa Joe Networks" — a production company he founded in 2009, located in Los Angeles.

In 2019, Aviance completed his comic super hero work The Electric Negro, which is currently being produced as a feature film, a live-action TV show, and an animated series with a cast of voice actors that includes Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean as the bad guy, "Mr. Palm"; actor Donnell Turner as "Mr. Davis"; actress Juliet Gordy (daughter of Kerry, and granddaughter of Berry Gordy) as "Wendy"; singer/actor Carlito Olivero as "Sam", and actor Denzel Whitaker. In his 2019 interview with Black Enterprise, Aviance said: "The Electric Negro is a controversial, unapologetic, thought-provoking and HILARIOUS animated black super-hero TV series..."

Aviance is an Amazon best-selling author, and is the author of Balancing The Scales: How to transform and balance your mind, body and business (2018) ISBN 978-1983100499.

House of Aviance
Papa Joe takes the name "Aviance" after joining the legendary House of Aviance. He is an early member of the House having been anointed by Mother Juan Aviance. The House of Aviance which is known for its voguing dancers, music, DJs, performing artists, fashion, nightlife and performances would have a significant impact on Papa Joe's life as a musician and a house music recording artist as he relay below.

Growing up in the House of Aviance in the late 80’s was an experience within itself. It’s where I learned many valuable life lessons about friendship, music, and about myself. I can almost remember the day Mother Juan Aviance anointed me into the House of Aviance!!! I was so excited to become part of the gang, which I later realized would become a family!! What does being a member of The House of Aviance mean to me? It’s a family together that inspires, creates, and motives [motivates] others. Personally, I don’t know if I would be who or where I am today if it wasn’t for all the experiences that I so graciously experienced throughout the DC/NYC underground house movement!! Time to bring it back around full circle baby!! It's Avi' What? Avi' Who? It's Aviance!!!

Music
Aviance is a musician based in Los Angeles. He decided to leave New York City for L.A. in 2002 to pursue an acting and music career. Whilst working at a video store in L.A., Eddie Amador, the international house music producer, remixer and DJ walked into the shop to rent a movie. Aviance and Amador started chatting about music and that conversation led to a music deal. Collaborating with Eddie Cumana (producer and writer of Don't Want Another Man) and Alan T, they created a track titled NOW on Kult Records. Whilst waiting for the release of NOW, Aviance got to collaborate with another Kult Records artist Lula, the then London-based Indie pop singer. In 2008, they released Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life (While a DJ Gave Me Trouble), a house cover of Indeep's 1982 classic - Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life. Aviance starred in the club version of the music video. Released on Kult Records, the track became a hit, reaching #6 on Billboard Magazine's Dance Charts. The video received plenty of air-time on TV music channels like MTV and VH1. That same here, NOW was released on Kult Records with remixes from Eddie Amador and Eddie Cumana featuring Alan T and Aviance.

Following the video release of Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life (While a DJ Gave Me Trouble), Aviance received a call from a music producer who told him "he wanted to make him the next B.I.G. for house music." After watching the video, Aviance developed a nervous break down as a result of his weight and embarked on a weight lose journey.

On October 4, 2011, Aviance collaborated with Willy SanJuan and released an up-tempo house track titled Live for Life. That track was released on Molacacho Records.

Personal life
Aviance had previously had weight issues which severely affected his self-esteem and potentially, his health as "nearly everyone in his family has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes." At one point in his life, he weighed 450 pounds. After struggling with his weight for several years, Aviance lost 250 pounds in 2013 by doing basic exercises such as walking and cooking cheap food bought from his local 99 Cents store.

At the time, Aviance could not afford gym membership in Los Angeles where he lives. Neither could he afford weight loss surgery or fad dieting. As such, he decided to lose weight by doing free physical activities such as walking and push-ups at home, and buying cheap fruit and vegetables from his local 99 Cents store. Within 18 months of hard work and dedication, he lost 250 pounds.

This change of lifestyle was brought on after watching his overweight self on Lula's 2008 music video Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life (While a DJ Gave Me Trouble), a house cover version of Indeep's 1982 classic Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life in which Aviance featured. As this track topped the charts and continued to receive air-time on MTV and VH1, Aviance did not like what he saw when he looked at himself. "Disgusted" by his appearance, he had a nervous breakdown until ultimately decided to embark on a healthy lifestyle change to bring his weight down. His first action was to throw away all the fatty foods from his refrigerator and decided to fill it with cheap fruit and vegetables from his local 99 Cents store on La Brea Avenue in the City of Los Angeles. The other part of his regime was to incorporate outdoor walking and push-ups at home—thereby increasing muscle mass and preventing excessive loose skin as a result of severe weight lose. Aviance still walks 5 miles a day and has managed to kept his weight off.

Aviance believes that, one can lose weight without the aid of weight loss surgery, fad dieting or expensive gym membership. Using his own weight struggles and triumphs, he went on to become a motivational speaker—encouraging obese children and adults to lose weight. Through his work, he has won numerous awards and is an ambassador for the American Heart Association. He also served as ambassador to the 99 Cents store brand from 2013—2015.

Aviance also was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given just 6 months to live, but went into complete remission.

Charity work
Aviance supports various charities, including AIDS Walk, the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald Walk for Kids, the Multicultural Motion Picture Association (MMPA), and the Alzheimer's Association. Aviance is also ambassador for the American Heart Association.

Awards

 * In 2016, Aviance was recognised and given an award by the City of West Hollywood for his work in raising awareness about heart disease.
 * Aviance won the AHA's Lifestyle Change Award in 2013. He’s an AHA Life Ambassador.
 * In April 2017, AHA gave him a You’re the Cure Award.