Jeffery Beckham
Vice President of Partnerships | Chicago Scholars
Jeffery Beckham is a recognized leader known for helping organizations put together complex puzzles.
Over the course of his career he’s developed expertise in various industries and sectors including healthcare, marketing, and technology. After working in healthcare sales for Sanofi Aventis, Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, Jeffery founded Black Box Creative Incorporated in 2009. Black Box Creative is a digital marketing company that focuses on using digital storytelling to help companies achieve their goals. Jeffery has led projects for everyone from Oscar Winner Common to Tuskegee University and has worked with numerous charitable foundations all over the country.
In 2018 Jeffery joined the team at Chicago Scholars where he's responsible for leading career and leadership development, corporate partnerships, and external affairs for the organization. Chicago Scholars works with over 4,000 first generation and/or low-income students from Chicago to get to college, through college, and graduate to careers and leadership opportunities.
Jeffery lives by the quote, “to whom much is given, much is required”. He serves as a mentor for many young people through his work with the 100 Black Men of Chicago, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC., and Link Unlimited Scholars. He is a sought-after speaker.
Jeffery lives by the quote, “to whom much is given, much is required”. He serves as a mentor for many young people through his work with the 100 Black Men of Chicago, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC., and Link Unlimited Scholars. He is a sought-after speaker.
Last year Jeffery started painting. As a self-taught artist his work has been on display in galleries across the country. He served as the elected community representative on the Local School Council at King College Prep and currently serves on the board of directors for Foundation’s College Prep, The 100 Black Men of Chicago and the Free Lunch Academy.
WVON and Ariel Investments named Jeffery one of Chicago’s Top 40 Game Changers Under 40 years old in 2015 and he was a finalist for the Chicago Inno 50 on Fire Award in 2016 and The RAY Awards named him their 2018-2019 Man of the Year for his work in the community. He’s also a New Leaders Council (2016 Alum), Impact Fellowship Alum (2018) and Civic Action Capstone Fellowship Alum (2019).