Sign Unveiled for Renamed Ethel Battle Velez Community Center 

On December 9, Johnson Houses residents celebrated the official renaming of their local community center in honor of a former longtime resident leader and community advocate. 

NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt unveiled the new sign for the Ethel Battle Velez Community Center, formerly the Johnson Community Center, in East Harlem. Ms. Velez, who passed away at the age of 77 last January, served as President of the Johnson Houses Resident Association for nearly four decades and was an active member of the Citywide Council of Presidents.  

Joining NYCHA representatives and local residents (including Ms. Velez’s daughter, Janet) at the ceremony was State Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs. The project also received support from other elected officials including Congressman Adriano Espaillat and City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala. The renaming of the community center in recognition of Ms. Velez’s legacy was approved by NYCHA’s Board this past summer.  

“For more than half a century, Ms. Ethel ‘Battle’ Velez was a steadfast champion for public housing residents, dedicating her life in service to her community,” Ms. Bova-Hiatt said. “As the Tenant Association President of James Weldon Johnson Houses for nearly 40 years, she was a tireless advocate, working to improve the lives of all those who call public housing home. Today, we unveil the sign that will forever honor her legacy of work – which I know Johnson Houses TA President Thomas Frederick will continue to build upon.”  

The center’s renaming comes as the community hub recently welcomed facility improvements, including newly remodeled bathrooms, thanks to City and federally funded projects (the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms were fully retrofitted to allow for the addition of men’s and women’s restrooms).