Chad Vill

Chad Vill grew up on a Brooklyn block where neighbors knew each other by name and where music, food, and gathering were central to community life. That upbringing became the foundation for Saint James Joy, a family-led cultural collective that transforms streets, rooftops, and public spaces into celebrations of music, dance, and connection.

What began during the height of Covid with speakers playing outside of their brownstone for neighbors, has since evolved into free, intergenerational block parties that bring New Yorkers together through music and shared experience. Saint James Joy has welcomed iconic DJs including DJ Spinna, Louie Vega, Tony Touch, and Stretch Armstrong, creating access to artists and cultural experiences that are often financially out of reach for many families.

Known professionally as DJ Chill, Chad leads the work alongside his father Jo, a veteran DJ with deep roots in New York City’s music culture, and his mother Gail, whose longstanding neighborhood relationships help anchor the events in community trust and participation. Beyond producing events, Chad is developing a community-centered blueprint, from logistics and volunteer coordination to local business partnerships that can help other neighborhoods create joyful public gatherings of their own.