United States
Irvington Southward Councilwoman
Hijri 1391(AH); Common Era 1971(CE)
Jamillah Z. Beasley made history by becoming a Township Councilwoman in April 2019 after defeating her rival Al-Tariq Shabazz with 68.86% of the votes. Beasley has been involved in politics for more than 28 years and working arduously in Irvington's community public service. Before becoming a member of the Township Council, Jamillah held various administrative positions in the Public Safety Department's Record Bureau, Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Corporation Department (I.N.I.C.), and the Department of Neighborhood Preservation. Beasley began serving the Township of Irvington in 1991 as head of the Department of Neighborhood Preservation, which she held until 2019. Jamillah started volunteering in 2001 at the Chris Gatling Center as a Parent Coordinator with the Irvington Diamond Cheerleaders. Jamillah also volunteered at the Chris Gatling Center until 2008. During her time there, the cheerleaders were able to travel to Orlando, Florida, for three years. Jamillah Beasley's official debut into politics began in 2008 when she was elected as District Leader to represent the West Ward, 2nd District. Jamillah's most significant achievements include solving residents' concerns in her district. In 2015, Jamillah was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Irvington Board of Education, where she represented the district and our young scholars. Then, Beasley was elected to fill the unexpired term on April 25, 2017, and re-elected on April 17, 2018, to serve a three-year term until her departure in April 2019. On April 22, 2019, the Irvington Municipal Council unanimously voted to designate Jamillah Z. Beasley as South Ward Council Member to fill the vacant office of the late Sandra R. Jones. Jamillah works on the Housing & Redevelopment, Recreation and Sanitation/Quality of Life Council Committees. Additionally, she is affiliated with many boards in Irvington, such as being a member of I.U.O.E. Local 68; Board Member of the Essex County Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force, Newark, NJ; Board Member of the Northwest Essex Community Healthcare Newark, Belleville, NJ. Also, Councilwoman Beasley performs as Special Assistant to Irvington Democratic Chairwoman. Additionally, she is a former Irvington School Board Member. Jamillah holds a Major in Criminal Justice from the Katharine Gibbs Business School and Essex County College. She pursues a Major in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Strayer University.
