Vernell Walker's Biography

Photo courtesy of Vernell Walker

Born and raised in the Eastchester Gardens section of Community Board 11, Vernell “Big Vern” Walker attended Dewitt Clinton High School, where he excelled as a star basketball player and sports editor of the school newspaper. Although Vern had the opportunity to continue his education and basketball career, he decided to focus on his ailing mother and work full time at many top mental health facilities in New York City and State (Bellevue Hospital and Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center for example) as a Security Hospital Treatment Assistant. With many years of customer service experience under his belt, Vern has dealt with numerous situations and a diverse group of people, always willing to help.

Vern is the co-founder, president, athletic director and basketball coach of the Eastchester Gardens community based not for profit organization, Concrete Roots Coalition, the mission of which is to educate all youth and young adults through sports, while providing them with a safe environment in which they can succeed and thrive. Vern started Concrete Roots because he saw a void in the lack of services provided by local facilities and organizations.

Vern believes in his community and wants to work on providing all residents with the quality of life they deserve. Proactive, he is never one to wait.

Vern's greatest accomplishment is being the proud father of two sons and one daughter. He was appointed to Community Board 11 in 2021 as a Council Member Riley nominee.