The Black Educators Alliance of Massachusetts ( BEAM), originally called the Massachusetts Negro Educators Association, was founded in 1965. Led by the late Rollins Griffith, and including John D. O'Bryant, Gerry Hill, Barbara Jackson, and Jean McGuire, it was the first professional association of Black educators in Massachusetts. Now 25 years old, BEAM continues to work on educational issue and practices, sponsor workshops, collaborate with community agencies, and raise money for Black student college scholarships.