Mr. Charles Beckham is a retired “Municipalist” who has served at an executive level for six mayoral administrations in the City of Detroit over the last 45 years. During this time, Beckham has also run his own management consulting firm, held numerous engineering management positions in a successful career at General Motors Corporation, and co-founded and served as Executive Director of the African American Associations of Businesses and Contractors (A3BC). During his tenure, the organization formed the genesis of the Michigan Black Chamber, formally the Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce, where Beckham currently serves as Chairman.

Mr. Beckham served the administrations of Mayors Young, Archer, Kilpatrick, Cockrel, Bing and Duggan in various appointive positions including the Director of Public Lighting, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Group Executive of Operations, and Group Executive of Neighborhoods. Beckham also served in the General Services, Recreation, and Water/Sewage departments. Over the years, Beckham has run more city departments than any mayor appointees in the last 40+ years. In 2008-09, Charlie served as Campaign Manager for Dave Bing for Mayor, winning four elections in fifteen months. In 2013, Mr. Beckham served as Sr. Advisor for the Duggan for Mayor campaign.

Mr. Beckham has also served his community by serving with numerous organizations including the Detroit Alliance for Fair Banking (Chair); Detroit Neighborhood & Family Initiative (Chair); Engineering Society of Detroit (Young Engineer of the Year, 81’); Business Development & Review Committee – DPS (Chair); UM African American Alumni Council (Chair); UM Alumni Association (Board Member); The Fairlane Club (Board Member); Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce (Chair); Detroit Transportation Corporation (Chair); Black Family Development (Board Secretary); Detroit Promise Zone Authority (Chair); Paradise Valley Conservancy (Co-Chair); and DDP Business Improvement Zone (Board Member).

Charles Beckham received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1969. He is a 62-year resident of Detroit and currently resides in Lafayette Park.