Vel Scott, Vel’s Purple Oasis founder: Most Interesting People 2026

Why She’s Interesting: Vel Scott supports Cleveland neighborhoods and beyond with fresh produce, gardening skills and a message of healthy living through her expansive Vel’s Purple Oasis urban garden program. “We’ve taken vacant land, almost nothing, and created something very vital to a community where there were no grocery stores; there was no place to access fresh food.” 

Vel’s On The Circle: The plot is located near what was formerly Vel’s on the Circle, a nightclub owned by Vel and her husband, Don Scott. The couple also ran a bowling alley and Red Carpet Lounge, a popular venue. “Motown was just beginning at that time. So my husband would go and get different acts and bring them through the club.” 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Vel recalls once helping to hire a drummer for a young Aretha Franklin, who had a gig at the historic Music Box venue on Euclid Avenue. 

Health Turns: After Don’s diagnosis of congestive heart failure, the Scotts toured West Africa to learn more about lifestyles and flavors that could help his health. Those travels, along with Vel’s youth in Mississippi, informed her take on global soul cuisine. “I didn’t use the term ‘plant-based.’ I don’t use it a lot now, because when you start naming things like ‘vegan,’ ‘vegetarian,’ many people in our community say, ‘Well, that’s not for us.’” Don died in 2010, and Vel honors him in her work today. The headquarters of Vel’s Purple Oasis is named the “Don Scott House.” 

Typing Pro: An accomplished court reporter, Vel tried to get hired in the courts, but it was an uphill battle at the time. “They said, ‘There’s no way that they’re going to hire a woman, number one, and a Black woman at that.’” She opened her own firm and employed 12 other court reporters. 

In the Family: Vel has two children: Avis D. Scott, a business owner, and Don D. Scott, who works in TV and movies in Los Angeles. He wrote the movie Barbershop. 

Meet the rest of the 2026 class of Most Interesting People >>

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