Hope Mississippi's Origin Story with Dawn and Stephen Beam

HOPE MISSISSIPPI is a bimonthly podcast educating Mississippians about the needs of fellow citizens, encouraging residents to work together to change the trajectory of our families and children, and sharing success stories.

Dawn and Stephen Beam are successful professionals (now retired) seeking to improve conditions in their beloved Mississippi. What started many years ago with the "WHAT IF" meetings evolved into an ambitious non-profit and now an uplifting "feel good" podcast. 

After decades of church-sponsored missions to Central America, the Beams were inspired to channel their energy and efforts to their home state of Mississippi.

To get the whole story, listen to the episode!

In HOPE MISSISSIPPI's pilot episode, our host, Retired Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam, welcomes the show's first guest, Stephen Beam. In addition to being Justice Beam's husband, Stephen is an author and a retired physician. He is passionate about being a force for good. Their journey is impressive, and their banter is engaging, sincere, and often humorous. 

The Beams share their respective humble beginnings and HOPE MISSISSIPPI's origin story. They are leading Mississippians by example and are convinced that with collaboration and communication, small acts of service can have a massive impact on those without hope.

HOPE MISSISSIPPI spotlights generational poverty, food scarcity, education, racial division, and other socio-economic issues that negatively affect many communities.

HOPE MISSISSIPPI also shares success stories and ways to do our small part for the greater good.

The opposite of HOPE is APATHY.

Relevant Scripture: Matthew 25:40
 “The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" 

Suggested reading:  "Hope Rising: How the Science of HOPE Can Change Your Life." https://bit.ly/HellmanBook

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.