Joshua Brinkley: Co-Founder
Joshua Brinkley is a Richmond, Virginia native, entrepreneur, former Division I athlete, and community advocate whose work has centered on building organizations that create meaningful opportunities and improve the communities they serve.
A former University of Delaware basketball player, Joshua carried the discipline, leadership, and perseverance developed through athletics into entrepreneurship and community service.
Joshua is the founder and CEO of Richmond Therapeutic Health Services, Inc., a Richmond-based behavioral health organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families throughout the community.
His commitment to service also extends to the Richmond Black Leaders Association (RBLA), a nonprofit organization focused on addressing homelessness and housing instability in Richmond and the surrounding area. Through housing assistance, mentorship, advocacy, community outreach, and connections to resources, RBLA works to help individuals move toward greater stability and independence.
Joshua is also the Founder of Authora Health, a healthcare technology company created to reduce the administrative burden placed on behavioral-health providers. Authora uses intelligent technology to streamline clinical documentation, service authorizations, payer communication, and other time-consuming administrative workflows—allowing professionals to spend less time on paperwork and more time focused on patient care.
Through Brinkley Art House, Joshua and Claire seek to introduce distinctive South African artwork to collectors in the United States while ensuring their work reaches beyond the gallery. Their vision is to use art as a bridge between cultures, supporting artists, sharing their stories, and giving back to children and communities in South Africa.
For Joshua, Brinkley Art House represents the continuation of a philosophy that connects his work in behavioral health, technology, nonprofit service, and entrepreneurship.
Claire Brinkley: Co-Founder
Claire Brinkley is a sustainability and clean-energy professional, environmental advocate, and co-founder of Brinkley Art House. Her career and educational background reflect a longstanding interest in the intersection of people, culture, community, and the environment.
Claire earned her bachelor's degree from DePaul University in Chicago, studying Intercultural Communication and Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies. During her undergraduate years, she immersed herself in cultural experiences both domestically and internationally, including providing medical support in Ghana and studying abroad in Mexico City. She later earned a master's degree in Environmental Communication & Advocacy from James Madison University, where her academic work included research related to sustainability culture.
Professionally, Claire has built a career focused on sustainability, climate action, and renewable energy. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Community Climate Collaborative in Charlottesville, helping businesses and community members identify practical ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce their environmental impact. She has also contributed to climate-policy research and public education surrounding sustainability.
Claire later transitioned into the solar-energy industry, where her work has included developing renewable-energy projects in Virginia and Delaware. In her role with New Leaf Energy, she successfully permitted 22 MWac of solar projects and helped guide projects through origination, site diligence, permitting, and participation in distributed-generation programs. She has also represented the renewable-energy industry in public proceedings and participated in professional discussions about the future of solar development.
Her international experiences have also played an important role in shaping her perspective. From her time in Ghana and Mexico to traveling through South Africa with her husband, Joshua, Claire has developed a deep appreciation for the ways culture, environment, art, and community intersect.
That connection became part of the inspiration behind Brinkley Art House.
As co-founder, Claire brings a perspective rooted in sustainability, cultural appreciation, and responsible impact. Together, she and Joshua created Brinkley Art House to introduce distinctive South African artwork to collectors in the United States while maintaining a meaningful connection to the artists, people, and communities behind the work.
For Claire, Brinkley Art House represents more than displaying beautiful artwork. It is an opportunity to celebrate creativity, connect people across cultures, and use business as a vehicle for positive and lasting impact.