5 Questions Business Profle: Jelani Garrett, J.B. Garrett Companies, LLC
Photo courtesy of Jelani Garrett
AC JosepH Media
ATLANTIC CITY – Jelani Garrett has more than 30 years of experience in affordable housing and community development, including 18 years as an executive.
He has worked on projects totaling more than $300 million in investments and has experience in all aspects of the planning and implementation of affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.
He has demonstrated exceptional abilities in the areas of strategic planning, consensus building and program management. Garrett has extensive public housing program administration and property management experience.
Prior to founding J.B. Garrett Companies, Jelani served as executive director of the Trenton Housing Authority for eight years and deputy executive director for six years prior to that.
During his tenure at THA, Garrett was responsible for leading operational improvements that resulted in increases in occupancy, collections, tenant relations, self-sufficiency programs and targeted capital improvements.
He was successful in managing and initiating major redevelopment projects including an award-winning HOPE VI Program and RAD Conversion that resulted in the redevelopment of 281 affordable housing units.
Garrett also envisioned, initiated and was instrumental in obtaining a HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant and led the coordination of the development of a Transformation Plan that was subsequently awarded an HUD Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant that will catalyze the revitalization of the North Trenton Battle Monument Neighborhood.
The Jelani Garrett File
Name: Jelani B. Garrett
Name of Business: J.B. Garrett Companies, LLC
Address: Atlantic City
Years in business: 1
Specialize in: Affordable Housing Development /Neighborhood Revitalization
Contact info: Jelani Garrett, 609-457-0970, jgarrett@jbgarrettcompanies.com
5 Questions
1. FRNJ: What made you become a business owner?
Jelani Garrett: I worked in the public sector for more than 29 years, mainly developing and managing affordable housing and revitalizing urban neighborhoods. I enjoyed the development process and the myriad of challenges and obstacles that must be overcome in the process. While I enjoyed the process from the public side, which required competence, leadership, and focus to envision and facility projects, I wanted the opportunity to produce in the private sector in a much wider market. Also, I was motivated by the drive to challenge myself to envision and take risks to produce projects that will enhance the quality of life in my community. Business is also a primary way to build generational wealth and provide employment opportunities for my family and members of my community.
2. FRNJ: Why did you select your current field?
Jelani Garrett: I always as a young man had the desire to make a positive impact on my community. I also had a love for the built environment. I was privileged to be selected for summer internship in the Atlantic City Department of Planning and Development in 1992. That experience solidified my interest in real estate development.
3. FRNJ: What do you enjoy the most about being a business owner?
Jelani Garrett: I enjoy the ability to direct my own activities and determine how I utilize my time.
4. FRNJ: How important is it for you to have positive Black role models in business?
Jelani Garrett: It is extremely important to have Black Role models in business. Again, business is a primary way to produce opportunity in Black communities. We must see more examples of successful businesspeople and encourage young people to aspire to be business owners.
5. FRNJ: Anything else would you like to add?
Jelani Garrett (from Bio): Prior to his tenure at the Trenton Housing Authority, Jelani served in increasingly responsible positions at the Atlantic City Housing Authority including Assistant Executive Director, serving as acting Executive Director from May 2009-September 2009. During his tenure at ACHA, Jelani was instrumental in implementing ACHA’s successful HOPE VI Program, which led to the redevelopment of major portions of the housing stock in Atlantic City’s 1st and 2nd wards. He was a development team member involved in the planning, development and/or acquisition of more than 300 housing units in multiple subdivisions in Atlantic City. He developed relocation plans and supervised the successful relocation of close to 200 families. He also managed the demolition of more than 200 housing units.
Prior to his tenure at the Atlantic City Housing Authority, Jelani served as Housing Development Analyst for the City of Atlantic City Department of Planning and Development where he was responsible for developing a clearinghouse for information related to housing and economic development initiatives in Atlantic City.
Jelani began his career as a Community Planner with a landscape architecture firm managing streetscape projects.
Jelani has a bachelor’s in Urban Studies from Rutgers University, New Brunswick and a master’s from Rutgers University, School of Business, Camden.
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