JJ Velez,Trustee

JJ Velez is the Director of Public Space at the Gilbert Family Foundation, where he leads projects and partnerships that advance the foundation’s mission to elevate public spaces. His work focuses on enhancing public parks, fostering engaging activations, and supporting sustainable public art.  Before joining the organization in 2020, JJ served as Deputy Director of the City of Detroit’s Parks & Recreation Department. In his current role, JJ brings boundless enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to community engagement, forging innovative partnerships that push beyond traditional boundaries. He deeply understands the transformative power of quality programming—especially sports and after-school initiatives—because of the impact they’ve had on his own life. Committed to creating accessible, vibrant public spaces where communities can connect, JJ also dedicates significant time to volunteer efforts that further strengthen the city he serves.