Jamil Bey, PhD
Founder & Strategic Director
Driven by his desire to change the outcomes of marginalized and overburdened communities, Dr. Jamil Bey is the founder and Strategic Director of UrbanKind Institute.
Dr. Bey believes that cities should be kind places for people. He is inspired by the many young people he works with, challenging himself to do better, work smarter, and find new ways to create space and opportunities for these future leaders to shine. He is on a mission to promote political, economic, housing, educational, environmental, and social justice through improving communities and driving change. His ultimate goal is to establish Southwestern Pennsylvania as a place where Black children and families can prosper and thrive and white supremacy is eradicated.
Dr. Bey stirs critical thinking by facilitating tough conversations around race, equity, and systemic change. In addition to Dr. Bey's role as UrbanKind's visionary, he serves on many boards and councils throughout Pittsburgh, to drive real systemic change in policy and programming that affects underserved populations. Additionally, Dr. Bey is the founder of the Black Environmental Collective.
He earned a PhD and a Master of Science at Penn State University in Geography. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Education, which allows him to connect with people and see the world around him through a unique lens.
In his free time Dr. Bey enjoys gourmet cooking, gardening, off-road driving, and hosting friends and family. Dr. Bey’s friends would describe him as witty, charismatic, and passionate.
Janora Bey, PhD
Deputy Director
Dr. Janora Bey is the Deputy Director of the UrbanKind Institute. As a native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Bey is deeply committed to the local community and the work of the UrbanKind Institute. Her responsibilities include selecting impactful programs, overseeing program and project management, and maintaining the organization's strategic operational functions.
She specializes in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) efforts, and oversees the organization's Equity-Based Facilitation and Program Evaluation work, ensuring that these principles are integrated into all collaborations, contracts, and programs. With a background in Human Services, Dr. Bey is committed to creating positive social change and applies her experience to her multifaceted responsibilities at the UrbanKind Institute.
Dr. Bey earned a doctoral degree in General Psychology, with a research focus on the experience of Black motherhood. She also holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree from Capella University and a bachelor's degree in Social and Behavioral Science from Penn State University.
Additionally, Dr. Bey is a dedicated mother and an adventure seeker. She considers herself a foodie and travel enthusiast, exploring new cuisines and seeking adventure in different countries to learn about diverse cultures.
Alyssa Lyon, MPM, EcoDistricts AP
Director of Black Environmental Collective
Passionate about drive changing and re-writing narratives about the Black experience, Alyssa Lyon is the Director of the Black Environmental Collective.
Alyssa believes that everything you do makes a difference and is guided by this belief in her work. Her experience as Sustainable Communities Director at Green Building Alliance helped her recognize the importance and necessity of amplifying marginalized voices in the sustainability sector, and that environmental justice is a civil rights issue.
The Black Environmental Collective includes 100+ cross-sectoral organizations, whose mission is to advance solutions that support Black communities’ ability to combat environmental threats to quality of life, food, environment/place, and climate change. Alyssa’s work ensures that through policy and issue advocacy, direct services, movement and coalition building, and region-wide education, this will be achieved.
Alyssa has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Public Management from CMU Heinz College. She is a board member of Rebuild Together Pittsburgh, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, and Vice Chair for InvestPGH at the Urban Redevelopment Authority. She has received many honors including Get Involved! Western PA Rising Star Award (2019), Pittsburgh Courier Fab 40 honoree (2019), The Incline: Who’s Next in Pittsburgh Community Leaders & Activists (2019).
In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys traveling with her wife, attending music festivals/concerts, and eating amazing food wherever she goes!
Ruchi Patel, PhD
Director of Environmental and Climate Justice Initiatives
Dr. Ruchi Patel is the Director of Environmental and Climate Justice Initiatives at UrbanKind Institute.
Dr. Patel is a broadly-trained human-environment geographer with more than ten years of research and professional experience working at the intersections of development, social justice, and the environment in both domestic and international contexts. Her work is guided by an interdisciplinary, intersectional perspective rooted in an understanding of the ways in which social, economic, and environmental challenges are deeply interconnected and cannot be addressed in silos.
At UrbanKind, Dr. Patel leads research and programs in areas of housing and land use policy, water equity, and environmental justice in the greater Pittsburgh region. She also directs the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) Hub housed at UrbanKind Institute and serves on the Eastern National Grantmakers Advisory Council for the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program (TCGMP).
Dr. Patel holds a PhD and MS in Geography from Penn State University and a BS in Ecology and Natural Resources from Rutgers University. She has worked within and across various academic, nonprofit, and government institutions throughout her career, including with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, conservation nonprofit Paso Pacífico, and EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics in Washington, DC. She also served as an Environmental Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Paraguay.
In her spare time, Dr. Patel enjoys running, doing yoga, and a good craft beer or wine.
Brenna Bearce
Administrative Support Specialist
Brenna Bearce is our dedicated Administrative Assistant at UrbanKind Institute. She leverages her diverse experience in customer service, care, and education to support the organization's mission of fostering inclusive communities.
Before joining UrbanKind, Brenna gained expansive experience in various roles that honed her interpersonal and organizational skills. Brenna's position here involves managing communications, coordinating schedules, and ensuring efficient operations, all while providing exceptional support to both staff and clients. Her resilience and adaptability shine through, especially in high-pressure situations, making her an invaluable asset to the team.
Brenna is a first-generation Mexican American on her maternal side and identifies as neurodivergent. These personal aspects fuel her passion for advocating for the inclusion of BIPOC neurodivergent individuals in all spaces. She believes that diverse perspectives enrich our communities and is committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and understood. Her experience informs her desire for supporting and uplifting neurodivergent voices, ensuring they have a place in every conversation.
Outside of work, she enjoys biking, camping, and baking with her children.