Black Educators’
Alliance of Massachusetts
Our Mission
Building a Stronger Future Through Education
BEAM is a coalition of Black educators, administrators, parents, and children. Our mission is to provide support to Black educators and to improve the academic performance of all children, but particularly, Black children.
Our Tenets
Promote excellence in teaching, leading, and student academic proficiency
Develop and maintain a network from preschool to university educators
Develop strategies to overcome barriers to academic development
Organize membership to advocate for quality education
OUR FOCUS AREAS
WHAT WE DO
BEAM works across four key areas to support Black educators and improve educational outcomes for students throughout Massachusetts.
Professional Development
Sharing best practices and providing continuous learning opportunities for educators at all levels.
Advocacy for Quality Education
Organizing our membership to advocate for educational equity and excellence for all children.
Connecting Our Network
Building and maintaining a network that ranges from preschool to university educators.
Student Support
Providing scholarships, mentoring, and resources to help students achieve academic success.
OUR LEGACY
60+ Years of Educational Leadership
Since 1965, BEAM has provided leadership and support for educational reform at the local, state, and national levels.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join Us at Our Next Event
EDUCATION FOR LIBERATION
60th Anniversary
April 18, 2026
Officers & Committees
OUR TEAM
BEAM is led by dedicated educators committed to our mission of empowering Black educators and students across Massachusetts.
BEAM Officers
Karen Maund
PRESIDENT
Karen King
RECORDING SECRETARY
Carol McMillan-Barnes
TREASURER
Lea-Antoinette Serena
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Our Committees
Administrative Caucus Chair
develops and facilitates network of administrators; provides support to aspiring administrators; and plans and conducts professional development for administrators and aspiring administrators.
Educational Issues
plans and conducts BEAM Annual Conference; identifies and research major educational issues; drafts position statements on issues; and plans and conducts community forums on educational issues.
Fundraising Committee
plans and conducts fundraising activities; develops annual fund-raising plan for BEAM; and identifies potential funders.
Higher Education Committee
The Higher Education Committee is dedicated to connecting Black higher education professionals across Massachusetts. We foster community, share vital resources, and address systemic issues impacting the Black community across the academic landscape.
By bridging the gap between Higher Ed and K–12 professionals, we serve as thought-partners dedicated to advancing equity and accessibility for faculty, staff, students, and families.
Parent Committee
plans, encourages and conducts school-based parent engagement programs; recruits parents for BEAM; and builds relationships and partnerships with other parent organizations. If you want to be involved in the Parent Committee, please contact
Membership Committee
Co-Chairs Dara Garrison & Tamara Lawrence
coordinates recruitment of new members; maintains membership records; encourages members to renew membership; refers members to committees; and provides membership cards.
Scholarship Committee
Co-Chairs Cynthia Grant-Carter & Crystal Haynes
develops scholarship application and selection criteria; plans and conducts outreach for scholarship applicants; reviews scholarship applications and selects awardees; develops biographies of new awardees; confirms enrollment of new awardees and authorizes payment of scholarships; and tracks academic progress of awardees.
Teachers’ Committee
develops and facilitates network of teachers; provides support to new teachers; assists with recruitment of teachers; and plans and conducts professional development for teachers.