Mayor Gainey appoints Dr. Bey as Director of City Planning
Jamil Bey, PhD
The UrbanKind Institute proudly announces the appointment of its founder and CEO, Dr. Jamil Bey, as the new Director of City Planning by Mayor Ed Gainey. Dr. Bey, a native of Pittsburgh's Beltzhoover neighborhood and a resident of Overbrook, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.
Dr. Bey's leadership has made a lasting impact on the city. As an original member and organizer of the Pittsburgh Water Equity Task Force, he spearheaded efforts to promote fair investment and management practices for local water infrastructure. His dedication to environmental justice and geosciences earned him the prestigious President's Medal from the Geological Society of America (GSA) in 2023.
Founded in 2016, The UrbanKind Institute serves as both a research hub and advocacy group, placing a strong emphasis on fostering social equity and justice. With a core mission to integrate academic research with tangible social progress, the institute prioritizes interdisciplinary work and intersectional approaches to achieving justice as a guiding principle. Dr. Bey will carry over this ethos into his new role with the city.
"I am deeply thankful to Mayor Gainey for his acknowledgment and unwavering trust in my methodology," expressed Dr. Bey. "This appointment serves as a reaffirmation of our ongoing efforts at UrbanKind. As the Director of the Department of City Planning, I remain committed to actively involving and bolstering our community allies. Together, we will persist in fostering synergies with our nonprofit, academic, and philanthropic affiliates, working tirelessly to cultivate a city that is just, welcoming, and safe for all who live, work, and visit here.”
In his new capacity, Dr. Bey succeeds former Director Karen Abrams, as she transitions to the role of Deputy Director of Programming for the Chisholm Legacy Project. Mayor Gainey and Ms. Abrams have expressed their unwavering certainty in Dr. Bey's ability to lead the Department of Planning with distinction.
“With Dr. Bey at the helm, I have full confidence in the Department of Planning's trajectory. His exceptional intellect, coupled with his genuine care for our city, assures me that the department is in capable hands.” said Abrams.
Abrams notes that since she and Dr. Bey are “similarly aligned” the direction of the department's work will remain largely consistent with its current trajectory, especially concerning the City's comprehensive plan.
During the transition period, Dr. Bey will serve as Acting Director of the Department of Planning until his confirmation by the City Council on April 8th. UrbanKind will announce their new Acting Operations Director after Dr. Bey’s confirmation.
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