VEL SCOTT

ELDER-IN-RESIDENCE (2016-2017)

ATNSC believes in the power of learning from those who came before us; ones whose lives have made an impact and their purpose is still unfolding. Annually we will identify an "elder-in-residence" who we will have the opportunity to learn their story in community, the meanings they have made through uniquely designed public programming. We are proud that Vel Scott has agreed to be the inaugural elder-in-residence at ATNSC: Center for Healing & Creative Leadership.

VEL SCOTT, a longtime Cleveland resident and former business owner with her late husband, Don Scott, is a leader in the movement to bring healthy living into people’s lives. Through her workshops, lectures, and cooking demonstrations, she teaches that food can be a catalyst for better living.

Vel believes food is much more than what we eat: It’s nourishment for the mind, body, and spirit. A self-made cook, Scott’s expertise in healthful, culturally relevant food stems from the changes she made when her husband experienced health problems. The couple owned three nightclubs in the Cleveland area, and she ran the kitchens. She made a conscious decision that if rich, salty foods were bad for her husband, they were bad for customers, too.

“Soul food is how you prepare it. It comes from the earth, we each put in our flavors, our love, our cultural background. It’s good for the soul.” --Vel Scott