Renée Palmore Beaman, RN
(Fondly known as “Nurse Nay”)

Renée Palmore Beaman, RN, is a distinguished healthcare leader, community advocate, and devoted public servant. She arrived in Delaware in 1993 with her family after serving as the pastoral team at St. Paul AME Church in Hamilton, Bermuda. A Registered Nurse with specialized expertise in pediatrics, cardiology, and infectious disease, Renée made history as the first African American School Nurse hired by Delaware’s Colonial School District.

In 2014, Renée was appointed by Governor Jack Markell as the only African American female Director within the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. In this role, she led the Division of State Service Centers, overseeing 140 employees, 15 statewide centers, and the State Office of Volunteerism. Her pioneering work in trauma-informed care—including a groundbreaking training program in partnership with Wilmington University—helped improve the service delivery of staff while increasing their understanding of childhood trauma and its impact on health and behavior. For her efforts, Renée received the Governor’s Trauma Champion Award.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Renée and her team took on the critical task of providing emergency housing for thousands of homeless Delawareans. She is credited with helping secure the Sheraton Hotel, now the Hope Center, which serves as a temporary shelter for those affected by the crisis.

Currently, Renée serves as the Director of Community Engagement for the Behavioral Health Consortium in the Office of the Lt. Governor. She works to connect Delaware communities with essential mental health and substance abuse resources.

A proud graduate of Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Renée also holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration. Her expertise has made her a sought-after speaker and writer in infectious disease and trauma awareness. She is the principal owner of RPB Consulting Group, which offers trauma-informed education, HIV outreach, and support to faith-based organizations.

Renée’s passion for ministry and service extends beyond healthcare. She has served as First Lady at Bethel AME Church in Lackawanna, NY, St. Paul AME Church in Hamilton, Bermuda, and Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, DE. Together with her husband, Bishop Silvester Beaman, they served the 15th AME Church District (South Africa, Angola, and Namibia) from 2021 to 2024. Renée traveled frequently while leading mission efforts for women and youth. In August 2024, the Beaman family was reassigned to oversee 138 AME Churches in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Renée is also the founder and Board Chair of the Beautiful Gate Outreach Center (BGOC), Delaware’s first full-service, faith-based HIV/AIDS organization. Under her leadership, BGOC developed over 25 programs, including HIV rapid testing, prison education, and a medical clinic in partnership with Christiana Care Health Systems. Renée’s advocacy extended internationally, where she shared BGOC’s model at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC.

In recognition of her HIV prevention work, Renée created the “Saving Our Sisters” annual conference, designed to raise awareness and provide support for women and girls impacted by HIV/AIDS. The event has featured high-profile speakers such as Jasmine Guy, Judge Glenda Hatchett, actress Vanessa Williams, and activist Rev. Dr. Pernessa Seele.

Renée is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Wilmington Alumnae Chapter), Wilmington (DE) Chapter Links, Inc., and a former member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. She is honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women.

Renée is a native of Niagara Falls, New York, and has been married to Bishop Silvester Scott Beaman for 40 years (May 1985). They are the parents of Asaiah (Gregory Fisher) and Kori (Walter Cheatham) and grandparents to Maliah Renée, Gabrielle, Gregory Mason, Kai, and Zari.