Dr. Ángel L. Vélez
Member
District 9A
Ángel L. Vélez, Ph.D., is a highly respected consultant and strategist with 15 years of experience advancing equitable access and opportunities in education, corporate settings, and local communities. He draws on his personal experiences, academic background, and professional expertise to passionately advocate for social and economic inclusion.
Dr. Vélez approaches social and economic justice unapologetically, shaped by his upbringing as a low-income Black and Latino individual in Puerto Rico and Chicago. He holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a focus on the History of Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Additionally, he earned a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Northeastern Illinois University, as well as an associate degree from Wilbur Wright College, part of the City Colleges of Chicago.
A proud alumnus of Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) Roberto Clemente Community Academy, Dr. Vélez is also a parent of a current CPS student. He lives in West Englewood with his wife and son, where he actively supports youth organizations focused on creating opportunities for Black and Latino youth in Greater Englewood. In June 2025, Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed Dr. Vélez to the Chicago Reparations Taskforce.