Who is Joseph?
Joseph B. Thompson, formerly known as DJ Bling, has been an integral leader in the Central Texas community since 2008. Well-Known as a DJ, music industry professional, entrepreneur, strong advocate for public education, and philanthropist, Joseph has been instrumental in advocating for and providing educational resources to economically disadvantaged students, their families, and their communities. Joseph is a 7th generation Bastropian born and raised in the Bastrop and Austin area and descendant of the McMarion and Thompson family. Joseph's wife, Gerlicia "GG" Thompson is also a lifelong Bastropian descendant of the Thorne family. She is a graduate of Bastrop ISD and currently works as a Prevention Specialist at Bastrop Family Crisis Center with partnerships in Bastrop ISD schools. Joseph and Gerlicia currently enjoy living in the Historic Downtown Bastrop community with their children.
Joseph is not only an advocate for education, he himself is highly educated having attained a Bachelors of Science in Music Business from Full Sail University, a Masters of Science in Divinity from Liberty University, a graduate certificate in Public Policy from Harvard University, and a graduate certificate in American Foreign Policy from Hilsdale College. Joseph is also currently working on a Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
Leadership
In 2013, Joseph founded the DJ Bling Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students of disadvantaged communities with educational resources such as free school supplies, free health and dental screenings, clothes, shoes, food, free bicycles, and other resources needed to attain and maintain academic success. Joseph and DJ Bling Foundation have helped over 13,000 students in Austin, Bastrop, and surrounding communities investing over $1 Million in disadvantaged communities.
Under Joseph's leadership, during the COVID-19 pandemic, DJ Bling Foundation hosted virtual learning pods in Bastrop for Bastrop ISD students and also provided free counseling to students who were experiencing mental health effects from the pandemic, virtual learning struggles, and other issues. DJ Bling Foundation also donated funding to provide internet hotspots to disadvantaged students in the Austin and Bastrop area.
The city of Austin has recognized Joseph and DJ Bling Foundation by proclaiming August 12th as DJ Bling Foundation Day in the City of Austin. Austin ISD and Texas Association of School Boards has also recognized Joseph and DJ Bling Foundation for their service and commitment to public education.
Joseph is also experienced in network infrastructure systems and low voltage cabling working on various projects managing the installation of telecommunications cabling, data cabling, fiber optics, security, and access control. Most recently, Joseph has lead huge projects for Whole Foods Markets, Killeen ISD, Copperas Cove ISD, and currently the new Teachers Retirement System of Texas campus buildings.
Service
Joseph served five years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2002-2007 as an Embarkation Combat Logistics Operations Specialist tasked with the planning and movement of troops and cargo, with tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and was honorably discharged. Joseph serves as Co-Pastor of Christian Interactive Fellowship Church which serves and ministers primarily to young followers of Christ.
Joseph also served briefly as an initial member on the Bastrop City Manager's Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force in 2021 before it became a formal City of Bastrop Commission, he also served as Co-Lead of Bastrop County Cares Recreation & Wellbeing Center committee initiative from 2021-2022, and Joseph also served as Co-Chair of Austin ISD's Long Range Planning Committee from 2021-2022.