A Life Dedicated to Oakland‘s Youth: Remembering John Beam
For 43 of his 45 years in the workforce, John Beam dedicated himself to the young people of Oakland. He was a constant presence, a pillar of the community, and felt no desire to live or work anywhere else. Beam focused on the present while together investing in the futures of students who often lacked confidence in their potential. Now, after his death, the impact of his life is being powerfully demonstrated by those he supported. Many remembering him are athletes he helped achieve their dreams, including players he guided to the NFL. However, the majority are simply individuals whose lives he touched. Calls are growing for a statue honoring Beam, one ample enough to reflect his influence, and commissioned swiftly – ideally depicting him with the bag of carrots he habitually carried, offering comfort to students in need.
The circumstances of his death are a stark and tragic irony. Last Thursday, Beam was fatally shot on the Laney College campus by Cedric Irving Jr., a 27-year-old not enrolled at the school. The motive remains unclear, but indications suggest Irving was struggling with personal issues unknown to Beam. Despite a lifetime of offering unconditional support, Beam had never encountered Irving before this devastating act.
Initial obituaries,circulated globally,largely identified Beam thru his appearance in the Netflix documentary series Last chance U. In today’s media landscape, a local story requires the reach of platforms like Netflix to gain wider recognition. Without it, the work of dedicated individuals like Beam frequently enough remains unknown.
Though, Beam’s story is worth knowing. His life embodied the potential of Oakland,and by extension,highlights the presence of similar dedicated individuals in cities across the country – Philadelphia,Detroit,New Orleans,and beyond. The fact that he was killed by someone he never had the opportunity to help adds a particularly painful dimension to the tragedy.Beam had retired from coaching in 2024, transitioning to the role of athletic director at Laney College, hoping to dedicate more time to his family. This loss robbed him of those precious years, denying him the peaceful retirement he deserved.He himself articulated his life’s ideology in a podcast last year,stating,”If you’re the real deal in Oakland,then you’re good. But if not, they’re going to run your ass out.”
John Beam,however,was never “run out.” he was embraced by a community known for its reserved displays of affection. His most important achievements occurred outside the spotlight,before the era of commissioned documentaries and viral fame. He was his own image, consistently validated by the daily impact he had on others. While Netflix and director Greg Keown brought national attention to Beam, his posthumous recognition serves as a reminder that individuals like him deserve far greater appreciation from the communities they serve. He was correct in believing that “My wins are going to be off the field.” But his true legacy will be measured by the successes of those he mentored, and the continuation of his life’s work – a commitment to supporting and uplifting a society that often seems determined to undermine its own foundations.
