Social work advocacy

Stephen holds a Masters in Social Work with over 40 years of experience in the field of Social Work. His company has pioneered accessible outreach programs that bring empowerment, hope and positive change to Canada’s north, urban centers and maximum-security youth prisons. The BluePrintForLife team has reached over 6000 youth through 120 programs in over 50 communities to date. Blueprints pioneering work using Hiphop as a mental health healing tool is one of the largest such programs in the world and often viewed as the gold standard that other programs internationally look to for guidance and inspiration. Some of the world largest and most comprehensive studies and evaluations on Hiphop as a healing modality.

Artist

A co-founder of the Canadian Floor Masters, (Canada’s oldest B-Boy / breakdance crew est 1983), he has performed and opened for James Brown, Ice-T, Grandmaster Flash, Blackeyed Peas, Public Enemy and George Clinton. Steve was featured on Much Music, in music videos and in several documentaries. At 67 he is a proud father of three and involved in supporting his son in Special Needs Kayaking.

Educator

Stephen completed his Masters of Social Work degree in 1986 and his thesis on Hiphop as a social development tool is widely considered to be the world’s first thesis’s on Hiphop. He is also a published author – including “Therapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip-hop” and the “Oxford handbook of Hiphop dance”. Often a guest lecturer at universities and a keynote speaker at many conferences including: international United Nations youth conferences, representing Justice Canada at international conferences on crime prevention, provincial chiefs of police conferences, The World Health Organization, and provincial and national conferences on education, bullying, crime prevention, social work, and First Nations topics. Stephen has also been a consultant and workshop facilitator for Cirque Du Soleil. Educating their head office on how to understand Hiphop and its talent for future Cirque Shows and artist recruitment.

Accolades

–      Awarded the Meritorious Service Cross from Governor General David Johnston in 2016 for bringing honor to Canada.
–      Appointed as an “Ashoka Fellow” for Canada (globally recognized for social outreach
–       Inducted into the International bboy/bgirl Hall of Fame in 2024
–        Appointed “Making More Health Fellow” – global working group on health with Boehringer Ingelheim.
–       Received an award from Canada’s former Governor General
(Michaelle Jean) for outstanding achievement and outreach.
–       Selected as one of Canada’s “Top 45 over 45” for Zoomers magazine.
–        Selected for the Globe and Mail feature page on “Action Figures”
–       Freedom to Create Youth Prize – International Finalist 2010
–        Featured in Readers Digest and the subject of 8 documentaries.
–        Recipient of 2012 Gadfly GroundBreaker award
–       Recipient of 2013 ‘I Love Dance” awards for contributions in Health
–        Recipient of the 2013 Behavior Block party award for “exceptional contributions to Community Arts in Canada
–        Recipient of the 2015 “UnderPressure” Tribute award for Contributions in Canadian Hiphop
–       Recipient of ArtBridges Canadian Resiliency award
–       Founder of the “Canadian Absolute Bboy/bgirl awards.
–        Founder and organizer of Canada’s First Bboy/Bgirl city battles. (Cypher North)
–        Panelist and guest speaker at many Hiphop festivals.
–       Selected as an international participant in “The WellBeing Project
–       Founder and Organizing committee of Freestyle 85 – London England

Judging

Stephen “Buddha” Leafloor has been involved in judging Bboy/Bgirl Battles Since 1989.  He has been invited as a guest judge across Canada and in the United States.