Jeffery Beckham, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer at Chicago Scholars. In his role, he is responsible for leading the development of the organization that serves more than 5,000 first-generation and low-income students to reach their dreams to pursue a college education. Jeffery is a community leader, artist and tech-entrepreneur known for advancing the fight for equity for youth and marginalized communities throughout the United States. Jeffery lives by the quote: “To whom much is given, much is required.” He strives to support traditionally underserved youth, working as a mentor with the 100 Black Men of Chicago, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC. and other Chicago programs. Jeffery is also a self-taught painter and uses his art to advocate for social and economic justice.  His work has been on display around the world.

Dr. Tamara Hoff Pope guides the strategic direction of Chicago Scholars where she develops and executes strategic initiatives to enhance the organization’s mission and vision. She is currently leading the FY26-28 strategic planning process, which will be implemented in July 2025. As Chief Strategy Officer, Tamara manages the Programs and Data & Evaluations teams to ensure alignment of all organizational activities with key priorities and long-term goals.
Essentially, she charts the course for implementation and execution of Chicago Scholars’ seven-year college access, success, and leadership development programming.

Prior to pivoting to the education nonprofit sector, Tamara taught, advised, and mentored minoritized students and students from low-income communities as both a professor and higher education administrator. Her life’s work has been devoted to ensuring equitable, inclusive, and affordable pathways to higher education and economic mobility for historically marginalized youth. Dr. Pope earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics, Master of Arts Degree and Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Educational Policy Studies, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., a world traveler, an avid bid whist player, and currently resides in Bronzeville with her husband Keyonn, son Keyonn II, and daughters Tamryn and Trinity.

Rachael Carbone leads the strategy and implementation of fundraising, communications and strategic engagement to elevate and achieve Chicago Scholars’ mission. She also oversees the teams responsible for organizational operations – the day-to-day of business management – that supports the incredible programming provided to some of Chicago’s most talented young leaders. If you want to learn more about how to support the Chicago Scholars vision through your time, talent, treasure, or testimony, Rachael can help.

Dr. Fulton holds a PhD in Higher Education with a minor in African American Studies from the University of Minnesota. She brings 16 years of hands-on experience in higher education leadership to Chicago Scholars, where she will oversee college access and college success programming. Dr. Fulton’s research and publishing focuses on the leadership experiences of students of color, relationships between Black and white women in higher education, and motherhood in higher education. 

Previously, Dr. Fulton served as Assistant Dean of Students at University of St. Thomas, Associate Dean for Intercultural Student Programs and Services at Bethel College, and is the founder and principal consultant at Project 51.