One hundred students from Skyline High and Laney College were invited to the day-long seminar, which tackled issues around leadership, financial literacy, mental health and social justice.<\/p>\n
It was set up by the Coach Beam’s Legacy Foundation, established by the family of the late, legendary Oakland football coach John Beam, who coached at Skyline and Laney.<\/p>\n
“You have to be able to see something to want to achieve it. And so, just giving them opportunities and eyes on things they may not have ever thought about, careers they may not haver thought about before,” said Sonjha Phillips, Beam’s youngest daughter.<\/p>\n
“Coach Beam was really a father figure, mentor, friend, all of that, for about 30 years,” Wilkinson said.<\/p>\n
He said his participation is a way of coming back to his roots and helping young student-athletes navigate their future.<\/p>\n
“I think sometimes you could see being from Oakland as a hardship or challenge to get over. But it is also a blessing, and it’s a solid foundation to have, knowing you can navigate those challenges and come out on the other side of it,” he said.<\/p>\n
Some students say the session helped them think about what success can look like after high school.<\/p>\n
“They grew up where I grew up, went through the things I went through. Seen the things I have seen, and they pushed through. Managed to find success. And that, I can find my way to success as well,” said Fe’ao Lauaki, a senior at Skyline.<\/p>\n
“I always tell them, you will get opportunities in life. I can guarantee you that. I just can’t guarantee when it comes. And you have to be prepared when you get to the intersection,” said Kevin Winston, vice president of Players Affairs for the Carolina Panthers, who was also coached by Beam.<\/p>\n
Winston said he, too, grew with challenges outside of school. He wants these students to learn about building connection, community and “being able to understand what an opportunity looks like.”<\/p>\n
And that there are other avenues to a career in sports aside from being a player.<\/p>\n
“I never played one down in the NFL, but I am fortunate to have my 25th year in the NFL as an executive,” Winston said.<\/p>\n
Beam was a beloved coach who was fatally shot in November at Laney College. Police called it a targeted shooting. Beam’s daughters hope that, through the foundation, they can continue his work of mentoring and uplifting Oakland.<\/p>\n
“We believe in you, so you can believe in yourself. Which is what my dad always said. That is what his greatest gift was. He was the best cheerleader. And we hope something like this helps be cheerleaders for these kids today,” said Monica Beam, Beam’s eldest daughter.<\/p>\n
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