John Beam, the director of athletics at Oakland’s Laney College, was shot and killed in a confrontation on campus during lunchtime on Thursday. The brutality of this unexpected event has seriously touched the whole community. The shooting on Wednesday night occurred at the college’s complex for downtown sports training. This is where Beam really poured himself into mentoring youth in the Oakland area.
John Beam received national acclaim as one of the stars from Netflix’s documentary series “Last Chance U.” In 2020, he made his case with his whole team on the fifth and final season of the show. In so doing, he exemplified his connection to ensuring that young athletes were successful on the field and in life. His steadfast advocacy for students rendered him into a cherished civic leader within the community.
Beam’s work to support the aspirations of Oakland’s young people went well past his work at Laney College. During his years at Skyline High School, he mentored and inspired thousands of young people. His wisdom and direction had a profound and lasting influence on their lives. His impact was immeasurable, as he defied the odds, believed in their greatness and battled beyond his means for their chances.
In the wake of this tragic incident, Oakland’s Mayor Barbara Lee expressed her condolences and highlighted the importance of Beam’s legacy. She stated, “Coach Beam’s legacy isn’t measured in championships or statistics. It’s measured in the thousands of young people he believed in, mentored, and refused to abandon, including my nephew, while at Skyline High school. He gave Oakland’s youth their best chance, and he never stopped fighting for them.”
The recent shooting has escalated growing concerns about the rise of gun violence in Oakland. Mayor Lee lamented, “Gun violence has stolen the life of a man who dedicated himself to building up the young people of this city. We cannot accept this. We cannot let guns continue flooding our streets and destroying the very people trying to save our community.”
And as local authorities have concluded that the shooting looks like a targeted attack, the case still reminds us of many others. James Beere, a spokesperson for that investigation, said at the time, “This was clearly a very targeted incident. The police are currently working closely with emergency personnel to ensure that the campus remains safe for students and staff.
In an unnamed statement, officials at Laney College emphasized their commitment to campus safety, stating, “The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority, and we are working closely with police and emergency personnel to ensure the campus remains protected.”
John Beam’s legacy at Columbia has left his passing a tremendous loss to the music community at large and those who knew him. For those of us who encountered him, we will forever recall his motivating and unfailing leadership. It was this commitment to uplifting young people that made such an indelible mark on my life.