Name: James J. Beasley, Jr.
Year of Graduation: Received his Bachelors of Business Administration in 1977.
Activities Involved in at EMU: Black Student Association, Gospel Choir, Resident Hall Association and Student Government.
Career: He has been in Management and Sales for High Technology Computer Systems for over 30 years.
Born and raised in Detroit, James J. Beasley, Jr. came to EMU in the early 1970s. He was actively involved in a number of student groups, and served as both the president of the Student Senate and Vice President of the Student Body. He was the first African American student ever to be elected as president of the Student Senate.
He is a Life Member of Kappa Psi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, a member of the Eastern Michigan University Alumni Board and is a founding member of the EMU Black Alumni Chapter.
After graduating from EMU, Beasley explored a career as a sales professional for high technology computer systems and worked for IBM, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett Packard and Xerox, among others. He is currently serving as Business Development Manager and Consultant for Professional Auditing Services of America and Data/Personnel Partners.
In addition to his professional career, Beasley has served as Chairman of the Detroit Cable Communications Commission, Deacon at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit and is involved in other civic organizations. He has received the Spirit of Detroit Award from the Detroit City Council.
He currently lives in Detroit with his wife of over 20 years, Kim, and his daughter, Regina. He enjoys reading, inspirational writing, politics, EMU Athletics and business development.
How have your experiences at EMU shaped your life and career?
“EMU gave me my foundation for life: the skills that I developed on campus, the relationships of the people that were colleagues that were all going to school for the same purpose. It was sort of unique when we came through, because I graduated in the class of 1977, but when I came to Eastern Michigan in the early ‘70s it was right during the Civil Rights movements. Dr. King was assassinated in 1968 and in his memory the congress and the government passed a lot of Civil Rights laws, which made the doors of opportunity open up, and Eastern was a place of opportunity, and always has been, particularly for the generation I was in. It gave us opportunities and showed us how to take advantage of opportunities.”
“At the time we had a term that we used, we called it a struggle. The reason we called it a struggle was because a struggle doesn’t come easy. [EMU] taught us how to struggle, it taught us how to achieve goals and depend on each other.”
“In a nutshell, it gave me a foundation for everything that I’ve achieved in life. I made my best relationships and memories… right there at Eastern Michigan University.”
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“Black History Month is very significant because it causes a time for reflection. It reflects on the massive contributions that Black Americans have made to America.”
“I think you need to look backwards and understand the contributions that we’re capable of performing … you have to look back at where you came from to know where you’re going.”
What is your advice for today’s college students?
“One of my greatest mentors that I had in life was Dr. Frederick G. Sampson II. He was my pastor… and he gave me a phrase I will never forget, that said “Life is not a problem to be solved, but an experience to be lived.” And when you think about it, it makes outstanding sense. Because what’s the first thing you do when you have a problem? You want to get rid of it. But you have to experience it in order to grow.”