Niagara Falls Native Gives Benediction at Biden Inauguration

The Reverend who delivered the benediction at the Inauguration of President Joe Biden has a Western New York connection.

Reverend Dr. Sylvester Beaman is a Niagara Falls native. Beaman is married to the former Renee Palmore, the daughter of Niagara Falls civic leader Eddie L. Palmore, who passed away in September of last year. According to WIVB-TV he’s been a close friend of President Biden and his family for nearly 30 years. Beaman says the entire journey has filled him with emotion.

“What we need is to discover our fate and our foundation of faith, our belief in God because if we have that, then we can find our own in humanity. And when I see your humanity, you see my humanity, it is difficult for me to treat you wrongly and difficult to oppress you. I’m trying to build in this benediction that we are sharing this country as a nation, as people, and we need to learn how to live, love and be reconciled in it,” Beaman said. Rev. Dr. Beaman said he believes President-elect Biden is uniquely qualified to be president because of his political career and because Mr. Biden is a true man of God.

Beaman was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. He credits his learning experience while growing up in Niagara Falls to his success.

“I was just humbled and flushed with a whole lot of emotion. That also included reverential fear, because this is a God moment and I’m just humbled that the Lord has given me this opportunity.”