Joseph (Joe) Fairchild Beam graduated from Franklin College in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Originally from Philadelphia, Beam participated in the Black Student Union (BSU), submitted work to the Apogee (literary magazine), and worked with the College's WFCI radio station. Joe was awarded the Omega Psi Phi's Award for Broadcasting in 1974 and the Berta D. Knobe '91 Prize for Photography in 1976.
Upon graduation, Joe enrolled in a Master of Communication program in Iowa and returned to Philadelphia in 1979 to work at an independent gay and lesbian bookstore, Giovanni's Room. His writing has been published in several newspapers, such as the Philadephia Gay News, and self-authored anthologies, such as In the Life. Influenced by the work of Audre Lorde, Beam advocated for Black gay men and the wellness of marginalized communities and prisoners.
He died of an AIDS-related illness in 1988. His mother, Dorothy Beam, donated his papers to the New York Public Library; they reside at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. BEAM: Black Emotional And Mental Health Community was founded in Beam's name in 2015 by Yolo Akili Robinson.
This article appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1992. It tells of Joe Beam's legacy and his mother's work to have his papers included in the Schomberg Center in Harlem of the New York Public Library.
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This Philadelphia Media Network, news article highlights the life and work of Joseph Beam's mother, Dorothy Beam. Included are references to her collaborative work with poet Essex Hemphill to fulfill "Joseph's vision."
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This 1988 article about Joseph Beam's legacy appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer shortly after his death. The article recounts his life and his advocacy for the black gay community.
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The Joseph Beam Papers are housed at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. In-person appointments are necessary to view the Papers, and more information about the collection is on their website,...
Joseph F. Beam's obituary/memorial appears on findagrave.com as contributed by The Silent Forgotten. Born in 1954, the obituary/memorial chronicles his life, his writing, and his advocacy for gay literature and gay black men...
This is the first episode of The Esoteric Negro, a podcast that explores philosophy, theology, and media and give voice to BIPOC voices that "exist outside of conventional wisdom and mainstream culture." Oko Carter discusses...
This anthology contains essays and poetry by and about African American gay men and their experiences. The project was conceived by Joseph Beam, managed by his mother, Dorothy, and finished by Essex Hemphill after Beam's...
Joseph Beam is the editor and contributor to this anthology. He authored four poems in the collection, "Color him father", "Emmett's story", "Samuel R. Delay: The possibility of possibilities", and "Brother to Brother: Words...
This is an excerpt from the Believe Out Loud and CoH World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance 2021. Written by Essex Hemphill, the poem is performed by Bishop Joseph Tolton and Pastor Darryl Brown, Jr.....