2021 Baccalaureate Service Program

Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. is the senior pastor of the Beebe Memorial Cathedral (BMC) in Oakland, California. He is the author of Pressing Reset: When Life Forces You to Start Over Again, Exchange: Trading Your Brokenness for Exceptional Purpose, Notes From Doctor:The 60 Day Devotional Treatment Plan For The Spirit. As senior pastor of BMC since 2003, Dr. Hames leads one of the fastest growing congregations in the CME church. Under his leadership, BMC has grown from 81 members to more than 3,400 members, making it one of the premier houses of worship in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Born and raised in hard knock neighborhoods on Chicago’s South side, Dr. Hames is the second child of Charley Hames Sr. and Leona Elizabeth Steadman-Hames (both deceased).

Over the years, this dedicated servant of God has been honored with opportunities and awards some might have thought unlikely for someone of such humble beginnings. He’s prayed over our country’s congressional leaders on Capitol Hill and been named “Pastor of the Year” by the CME Ninth Episcopal District. A true champion of his community, Dr. Hames also serves as chaplain of 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc., former President of the National Action Network’s Oakland chapter, immediate past Chairman of the board of the Oakland African- American Chamber of Commerce, a proud Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. since 1993 and an active member of Sigma Pi Phi Boulé. No stranger to the broadcast airwaves, Dr. Hames has been heard across the Bay Area as KBLX’s (102.9 FM) “Voice of Inspiration” for the past 15 years. Known as a fervent fighter for the young men of this country, Dr. Hames was among a select group of pastors and community leaders who were invited to the White House, in 2012, to discuss the killing of Trayvon Martin with President Obama. Following that meeting, CNN tapped Dr. Hames to discuss the President’s response to the tragedy. Dr. Hames received his Bachelor of Arts degree in African American studies from Chicago State University. In 2000 he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. And, in 2004, he was blessed to receive his Doctor of Ministry degree in evangelism from the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. Dr. Hames is married to Lady Michelle J. Gaskill-Hames. Lady Michelle serves as Senior Vice President for Hospital and Health Plan Operations with Kaiser Permanente. He is also the proud father of two sons and one daughter: Charles Jonathon, Elijah Immanuel, and Jael Deon. Throughout his life, Dr. Hames has seen the fulfillment of Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” He has served God with vision and action as a gifted preacher with thirty years in the gospel and 25 years in pastoral excellence. He stands as a testament of what God can do in the life of a true believer.