Emmanuel Amanfor is a public servant, community leader, and executive with Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services, where he leads to strengthen accountability, improve performance, and enhance services for the communities the county serves.

 

Throughout his career, Trustee Amanfor has served in leadership roles with Sacramento County, the California Department of Health Care Services-where he led the Children Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. His work has focused on leading high-performing teams, improving government operations, overseeing large public initiatives, using data to drive better decisions, and building partnerships that improve outcomes for the people and communities they serve. He has also received national recognition for his work advancing more equitable incarceration practices and addressing disparities impacting minority populations within the criminal justice system.

 

Raised in Newark, New Jersey, Trustee Amanfor grew up in a low-income neighborhood challenged by crime but enriched by a vibrant Hispanic and Latino community. Growing up in this diverse environment allowed him to embrace and appreciate different cultures, blending those experiences with his Nigerian heritage and giving him a unique ability to connect with people from all backgrounds. As an immigrant, he understands firsthand both the opportunities and challenges families experience while building a new life in America.

 

Beyond his professional career, Trustee Amanfor has served as Chair of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency Commission(SHRA), Chair of the Sacramento Personnel Board, Chair of the Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee of California, Executive Board of Director at the Association of California State Supervisors, Community Leader for the California Air and Resource Board's Racial Equity Lens, Registered Lobbyist, member of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), and on numerous local and statewide boards, commissions, and community organizations. He also volunteers as an usher at his church and believes deeply in servant leadership—leading with humility, integrity, and a commitment to serving others.

 

Trustee Amanfor and his wife are the proud parents of four children, all of whom have attended or currently attend schools within the Twin Rivers Unified School District. As both a parent and Trustee, he is personally invested in ensuring every student has access to a safe, supportive, and high-quality education.

 

Trustee Amanfor has an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Biology and an Executive Masters in Public Health from Drexel University. He was also an instructor and taught Medical Health programs in New Jersey and was a research scientist. 

 

As Trustee for Area 6, Mr. Amanfor is committed to transparent governance, meaningful community engagement, and accountable leadership. He believes trust is built through open communication, measurable results, and decisions that always place students, families, educators, and the community first.