Amina Bey has been serving as the Executive Director of Newark Emergency Services for Families, Inc. (NESF) since September 2019. NESF is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Newark, New Jersey that provides emergency services such as food, clothing, immediate shelter placement, rental assistance, utilities assistance and other support services for individuals and families in crisis throughout Essex County. During her tenure Amina has expanded the food service, workforce development and housing programs, and has created the annual NESF World Homeless Day event.
Prior to NESF, Amina spent five years as the Executive Director of the Newark Workforce Development Board (NWDB) under the leadership of Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. As the head of the NWDB, Amina was responsible for developing policy and providing the strategic direction for NewarkWORKS, the City of Newark’s agency for employment and training services. She was also tasked with providing operational oversight of the Newark One-Stop Career Center, including its city, county and state workforce partners and the NWDB Board of Directors. During her tenure with the City of Newark, Mayor Baraka assigned Amina to establish the Shani Baraka Women’s Resource Center, where she also served as the Director. Opening in May 2017, the Shani Baraka Women’s Resource Center provides free programs and services regarding Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Mental Health, HIV/AIDS & Child Abuse.
Before being tapped to work for the City of Newark, Amina facilitated operations at the Essex County Division of Training and Employment managing workforce development programs for residents who are unemployed, low income and receiving public assistance. During her 15 years with the County of Essex, Amina managed grants and created programs designed to help residents on to the path of self-sufficiency through education and employment.
Amina has always been very active in the community and is involved in many different organizations. She was elected to two terms to serve on the Maplewood Democratic Committee. She is also the Co-Chairperson of Women In Support Of the Million Man March, Inc. (WISOMMM), a non-profit community based organization in Newark since 1995. Amina also is an entrepreneur. She established WISOMMM Event Services, a for-profit entity of the WISOMMM organization, as well as By Request, her own event services company in 1999. Amina started Brownstone Consulting Group, LLC in 2019 which provides technical assistance and consulting services for programs in the areas of nonprofit management, workforce development, government affairs and staff training. Amina is a public speaker, youth mentor, trainer, facilitator, guest lecturer and workshop presenter. She serves on many boards and committees and continues to work as a public servant in her community.
Amina was born, raised and educated in Newark, NJ, where she currently resides. She graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice from Stockton State College (now Stockton University) in Pomona, NJ. Amina received her Master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers University – Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration, where she currently serves on the Alumni Board, and is also a Part-Time Lecturer and Professor with the Rutgers-Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA).