Michael Beachem, a self described “professional student”, who will soon be graduating,  is involved with AFSCME and has also worked with sister organization as a sustainer for Jobs with Justice supporting rallies on behalf of workers rights and social justice.   He has been involved with the P.E.O.P.L.E committee that reviews local candidates for political office to offer our endorsement and volunteered at numerous phone bank campaigns and election day events, most recently in addition to AFSCME also working on behalf of Liberty City Democrats.  He is also a Pennsylvania Scottish Rite Mason and finds fulfillment in the work that he does on behalf of families and children.

PGC:  Tell me about you.

Michael:   I went to Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA in the pocono region or as most people commonly understand to be “the setting of the US version of ‘The Office’ “.  While there, I studied Communication and Business Administration.  Later I completed my Master of Arts in Counselor Education at Kean University, Union, New Jersey.  My career has been focused on higher education admininstration.

PGC:  What group were you in and who was your mentor?

Michael:  I was in the group that went by the name “Source 1315” after the William Way Community Center physical address.  There were five of us in the group and we were lead by Harvey Hurdle of the Sellers Dorsey Company.  Our group focused on programming initiatives that would support the age group between when students graduate from the Attic in their twenties and the senior program Silver Foxes.  We called our program ‘Young Bucks and Fawns’.  We focused on aligning with groups that are already doing great work with this population in the city, such as Campus Philly. We suggested further collaborations to let them know that William Way is a resource for them.

PGC:  Tell me about your past experiences with activism and who you will be working with.

Michael:  I credit much of my leadership training from high school.  I was heavily involved with Key Club International and gained great mentoring and support by the many Kiwanis members that support that program.  In college, I was lucky to have a very caring Deans of Students and advisors that supported me and was also able to learn from a local program for college students Intercollegiate Leadership Wilkes-Barre.  Many students, I realize, are not as lucky to have programs such as these through their educational settings. 

It is critical that our community do what is necessary to provide equal skills to youth through our William Way center and giving programs that are available through DVLF (Delaware Valley Legacy Fund).  It is wonderful that the DVLF saw a need and provided a necessary committment to help inspire others to take on the mantel and create and incubate ideas that will help sustain and leverage our work for years to come.

PGC:  Tell me what you came away with from this program.

Michael:  I was really honored to be a part of this first class.  Philadelphia is a small enough city where after a while you feel like you know most of the LGBT community… this group exposed me to new aquaintences that have now become dear friends.  I believe these to be critical connections to rely on as I become more involved in assisting with the necessary work to gain our equality.

We are proud of Mr. Beachem and can’t wait to see what he does with his experience in the Distinctive Officer’s Program. Please contact John Moeller Jr. at 215.563.6417 ext 117 or email at info@dvlf.org if you want to be involved or nominate someone into the program.