King James West

James Conley III, known as Founding King Father James, is a senior leader and visionary behind the House of West, bringing nearly 20 years of ballroom experience. A Baltimore native with an international presence through ballroom, he is recognized as an Iconic Butch Queen Vogue Femme whose impact spans both performance and culture. His ballroom career began in 2006, during a time when the scene looked very different, and over the years he has helped shape its evolution while building a name that resonates far beyond his hometown. 

After 12 impactful years with his former house, the House of Khan, James stepped into legacy-building by co-founding the House of West alongside a select group of members. A natural-born leader, he takes pride in building from the ground up and creating spaces where people can grow, perform, shine, and feel safe. Grounded in accountability and authenticity, he leads with both support and structure, unafraid to speak truth, set boundaries, and hold others to the same level of excellence and commitment he embodies.