Cornell "Lord Judah" Carelock is a seasoned Teaching Artist, Arts Director, and Creative Place Maker with more than 20 years of experience in education and community engagement. As the CEO of Judah Bless Ent and Director of True He(ART) Academy, he has made significant contributions to arts education, integrating creative arts into curricula, and fostering community involvement. Lord Judah is recognized for his expertise in digital arts training, mindfulness instruction, social justice education, and his work with special needs populations. His efforts have empowered countless individuals, particularly youth, to develop resilience and artistic skills.
Cornell's work has been acknowledged with several awards, including proclamations for community leadership and youth advocacy, an Artistic Merit Award, and recognition as Arts Westchester's Artist of the Month. He has also been honored with "Cornell Carelock Day" in Westchester County, NY. His certifications include a Hip Hop Kultural Specialist from the Temple of Hip Hop, a Certified Mindfulness Instructor, and a microcredential in AI Tool Design and Prompt Engineering for Educators. Lord Judah continues to inspire and lead in the arts community through his innovative approach to education and community building.
Cornell "Lord Judah" Carelock is a devoted son, brother, husband, and father of four daughters. Married for 26 years to his high school sweetheart, Cornell was born and raised in White Plains, New York, where his journey as an artist began. From an early age, Cornell discovered his passion for art, first realizing his gift in kindergarten when he drew the character E.T. on a chalkboard. The positive feedback from his teachers and classmates sparked a lifelong pursuit of artistic expression. This early encouragement continued in fourth grade when he mastered drawing B-Boys, earning further acclaim from his peers and teachers. By middle school, Cornell was recognized with "Most Artistic" honors in his yearbook, marking the beginning of his evolution as a visual artist and the onset of his love for hip-hop culture.
Bitten by the "Hip Hop" bug during middle school, Cornell’s passion for music was ignited. He eagerly requested DJ equipment and turntables for Christmas, and at 13 years old, he landed a summer job at Rye Playland, where he saved up to purchase his first sampler and 4-track machine. This marked the start of his journey as a young producer, creating hip-hop music that would later see him step up to the microphone himself, first as "The Soul Child" and eventually as "Lord Judah." The name Judah, given by his spiritual elders, was a reflection of his determination to master the art of hip-hop.
Over the next two decades, Cornell built a remarkable career as a Teaching Artist, Arts Director, and Creative Place Maker, making significant impacts in educational and community environments. As the CEO of Judah Bless Ent and the Director of True He(ART) Academy, he has been a driving force in integrating the arts into educational curricula, advocating for community engagement, and leading numerous professional development initiatives. His work, a unique fusion of digital arts training, mindfulness instruction, and social justice education, has empowered countless individuals—particularly youth and those with special needs—fostering resilience, creativity, and artistic growth.
Cornell’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and proclamations, including the establishment of "Cornell Carelock Day" in Westchester County. His inspiring leadership, unwavering commitment to community, and visionary approach continue to leave a lasting impact on the arts community, ensuring his legacy as a transformative figure in both education and the arts.