Joi Preciphs

August 04, 1975 – January 08, 2026

Kansas City, MO

Joi Lennise Preciphs was born on August 04, 1975, in Kansas City, MO. She was the youngest child of John Preciphs, a Kansas City pastor and activist, and Ludora Preciphs, a pioneer in local early childhood education. Their focus on activism and community building shaped her desire to become a journalist and cover the untold and overlooked stories affecting her community.

Joi attended St. Paul's Episcopal Day School and later graduated from Notre Dame de Sion in 1993. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies from Yale College in 1997, where she also joined the historic Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority — a natural extension of her lifelong commitment to community and service. In the years that followed, she devoted herself to meaningful work at the Mid-America Regional Council while also caring for her aging parents. She later earned a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2011.

Over the course of her career, Joi devoted 20 years to journalism, which culminated in her position as a senior editor. She worked at Bloomberg Opinion in London, England, at the time of her death. Coworkers there remember her as an accomplished editor and warm colleague.

Those who knew Joi well remember her keen mind and how much she enjoyed great conversations over a delicious meal. Friends and family often described her as curious, thoughtful, and kind. Her bright smile often showed up unexpectedly when she lightened heavy conversations with humor. She was an art and music lover whose favorite pastimes included concerts, museums, and art galleries. A voracious reader and thoughtful writer, her passion for life fueled everything she put into words.

She had a gift for mentorship and guidance that made people feel seen and appreciated — a quality that flowed naturally from her warmth and curiosity. In 2024, she served as a moderator during the Executive Leadership Council's UK Black History Month Convening, one example of the many opportunities she pursued to support diversity in her field and the careers of future Black journalists.

Joi passed away unexpectedly on January 8, 2026, at the age of 50 in London, England. She is survived by her brothers John and Jesse Preciphs and her nephew Jason Preciphs, as well as her extended family of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ludora Preciphs.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Loveland Foundation: https://thelovelandfoundation.org.