Jerry Billups

Jerry Terrell Billups currently works as the juvenile detention alternative initiative coordinator for Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. For 15 years in total Jerry has worked in various capacities at Juvenile Court including School Based Liaison, Probation Officer and Intervention Specialist since 2010. He is proud to lead several committees in an effort to reduce unnecessary detention admissions.

Jerry was appointed to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board of Education in December 2024. Jerry realize the unique perspective of serving two of the largest youth serving agencies in Cuyahoga County, Ohio and is grounded in knowing to two systems must work together to achieve desired outcomes. He is a proud graduate of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District where he first met and became friends with his wife Latisha.

Jerry with his wife Tisha is the parent of four children, 19- and 16-year-old sons and 14- and 12-year-old daughters. The family enjoys spending time cheering each other on in their various sports, competitions, and arts. In total the family has standouts in Football, Wrestling, Cross Country, Track, Tennis and has had roles in over a dozen stage plays and our favorite are the Robotics competitions. From recording podcasts, gardening, volunteering, and family meetings the Billups family is “always doing something”

Jerry is a gardener; his front yard garden is the perfect opportunity to engage and teach neighborhood youth about growing food. Jerry is deeply engaged with grassroots community service. Political engagement is a big part of his family teaching his children how to advocate for ballot issues that are important by speaking to family members, knocking on doors, and writing post cards. He is also an active member of the Cleveland City Council Ward 16 Club where his children are also the youngest members.  “The Desk: Guidebook to own your pain”, is Jerry’s first published book written to help people gain perspective as they move through life’s challenges.