He is an exhibited artist, has designed and marketed a successful line of neckties and spends much of his time as an inspirational speaker and corporate spokesman. Most recently, Beamon accepted an appointment as the Director of Athletic Development at Florida Atlantic University. He notes, however, that kids today are subjected to more violence - be it in the streets, in the classroom, on TV, on the internet or in video games. He is particularly concerned that the inner cities, where many troubled kids live, are even more devastated than when he was a boy. Beamon also observes that while today's children are being exposed to more dangers, parents are becoming less watchful over, and less involved with, their own kids.
Families are far more fragmented and disconnected.
They are in their own worlds. We need to get out of denial and reach out to these kids. They need to understand what can happen to them and what is in store for them in the penal system. Beamon says despite his early troubles, he was given the opportunity to make mistakes and to learn from them. He had a grandmother who cared, a thoughtful juvenile judge, a responsive juvenile system, all of which encouraged him and enabled him to become a better person.