Sledge majored in communications while in college and began acting in school productions at Temple University.

[1][7][8] During her sophomore year at Temple, she directed her first stage-play "Wild Flower", written by Hazel Bright and produced by Ron Alexander.

On their third album We Are Family (1979), Sledge sang lead vocals on the single "Lost in Music".

In 1981, Joni began sharing lead vocals with her sister Kathy Sledge within the group.

[10] Her death was originally attributed to unknown circumstances as she had no known illnesses, according to close family sources.