Jelani Mashariki is a graduate of Brooklyn College and currently holds the position of VP of Facilities and Community Relations at BVSJ. Jelani coordinates with multiple levels of government, written annual budgets, supervises 200 + employees, and provides oversite to the direct service for residents of the Shelter ensuring they receive the appropriate type of Housing, employment, and the knowledge base to conquer any future challenges.
Jelani was an early organizer within the Occupy Wall Street and Occupy the Hood movements, and he played a key role in organizing Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts at one of Occupy Sandy’s headquarters, the Church of St. Luke & St.
Matthew, at 520 Clinton Avenue. In early 2013 Jelani was selected to The Interfaith Medical Center Community Advisory Board where he fought to stop the closure of the hospital and maintain comprehensive medical services for the Central Brooklyn Community
As co-founder of the Global Block Foundation, a non-profit that utilizes hip-hop to empower youth and transform communities across the globe, Jelani has traveled to 17 countries mostly in Central and South America to promote Democracy and facilitate workshops on issues, including: economic development, civic engagement, police/community relations, and sustainable living. In this capacity he has met with heads of state as a United States State Department Cultural Ambassador.
