Our Team

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Dr. Jamil Bey is the founder and Strategic Director of UrbanKind Institute. 

Driven by his desire to change the outcomes of marginalized and overburdened communities, 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.

Dr. Janora Bey serves as the Deputy Director of the UrbanKind Institute, where she oversees program management and strategic operations to drive impactful Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) initiatives. 

In her role, she ensures that the principles of DEIJ are integrated into all collaborations, contracts, and programs. With over a decade of experience in the human services field, Dr. Bey specializes in developing and implementing tailored DEI training programs, facilitating equity-based conversations, and conducting rigorous program evaluations that foster inclusive environments across organizations.

Dr. Bey earned her PhD in General Psychology, focusing her research on the experiences of Black motherhood. She also holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Capella University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Penn State University.

A proud native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Bey is deeply committed to her community and the mission of the UrbanKind Institute. Outside of her professional endeavors, she is a dedicated mother and adventure seeker, with a passion for exploring diverse cuisines and cultures.

Friends describe her as witty, compassionate, and full of life, always eager to embark on

new experiences.

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 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.