Queens native earns spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 list for card game
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A native New Yorker is getting some national attention. Joseph Kemp was just recognized by a popular magazine for his innovation when it comes to gaming.
Kemp, 29, describes his new card game Disbarred as G-rated Cards Against Humanity with a legal twist. The goal of the game is to teach us all a thing or two about the law.
"For everybody to kind of learn their rights. There are essential things everyone should know from criminal law, trusts and estates, if you have a valid will, pop culture, so there are things people can learn in a fun way," Kemp said.
Kemp, who was raised in Long Island City, Queens, has a master's degree in education, a law degree and an MBA.
The scholar came up with the idea for the card game while studying for the bar exam.
"It's not an easy process and I thought I'd love if there was a way to gamify this, so that’s where the idea kind of started," Kemp said.
Shortly after, Kemp and his co-founder started their company Games that Matter and created Disbarred. And just a few weeks ago, he found out he was being honored, being placed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the gaming category.
“I was ecstatic because there was some validation to this is a good idea, and hearing the industry veterans chose our company was the validation we needed to keep going,” Kemp said.
Forbes said Kemp was an easy choice.
"We really looked at the innovation and the impact he’s having. Not just something that’s fun, a revenue generator, but he’s also trying to change things in terms of education," said Alexandra York, associate editor of Forbes 30 Under 30.
Co-founder Latoya Bethune works as a startup and venture capitalist attorney. She’s incredibly proud of Kemp and encourages anyone with an idea for a business to give it a try.
"If you have that passion to start something, definitely get it out there. Eventually the support will come,” Bethune said.
Kemp agrees. The two plan to donate some of their proceeds and hope the game will one day help law students study for the bar exam.
"We want to give back to students in need or organizations supporting pre-law students and law students," Kemp said.
The game will ship next year.