Our Team

Misty E. Beasley, MPA, CBA® has been employed with the Akron Urban League since July of 2002.  Mrs. Beasley was promoted to the role of Regional Director of the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) from the Senior Business Advisor position.  She attended Kent State to obtain her master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) and her Certified Business Advisor (CBA) certification.  She is also a Certified Business Advisor with the GrowthWheel online platform.  As a lifelong learner and advocate of education, while attending Kent State University to obtain her MPA and CBA, she maintained a 4.0 GPA in both programs.  Mrs. Beasley’s undergraduate studies were done at the University of Akron obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Political Science/Criminal Justice, an associate degree in Criminal Justice Technology, with a Minor in American Politics.

As the Regional Director of MBAC-Akron, Mrs. Beasley provides oversite of programming and MBAC services that assists small, minority-owned, socially, and economically disadvantaged businesses across nine counties.  The nine counties include Summit, Stark, Wayne, Richland, Ashland, Carroll, Harrison, Holmes, and Tuscarawas.  MBAC services include business and technical support, assistance with state certifications, loan packaging, private and government contract opportunities, and access to capital and resources. Mrs. Beasley also provides one-on-one counseling to minority businesses; originates and conducts meetings with community leaders, state and local officials, and manages the overall provision and direction of professional services for minority and disadvantaged businesses.  Mrs. Beasley is responsible for managing and achieving performance goals identified by the State of Ohio. She has a passion for serving others and is dedicated to the growth, sustainability, and economic inclusion of businesses in the MBAC Akron Region and across the State of Ohio.

For more than 19 years, Mrs. Beasley has held several positions at the Akron Urban League.  Before her position as Regional Director, she held the position of Senior Certified Business Advisor for MBAC.  Previously served as the EEO/Compliance and Monitoring Officer Assistant for Akron Waterways Renewed! Program, Ice House facilitator, Adult and Youth GED Instructor, Director of the Summer Enrichment Day Camp, Coordinator for Assisting Children in Transition (ACT) Program and Youth Development College Prep Program.   Mrs. Beasley holds various community affiliations and serves on committees to represent the AUL and MBAC such as the Akron Resiliency Fund Committee, AWR Stakeholders committee, Advisory Board Member for Huntington Academy of Global Industry & Design at Buchtel CLC, City of Akron SPARK Lead and THRIVE committee, to list a few. She is a proud graduate of the Child and Family Leadership Exchange Class XIV,

Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Misty E. Beasley, is the daughter of the late Marilyn E. Rivers, who was a phenomenal woman.  She has three siblings, is married to Stephen L. Beasley and is the proud parent of two boys, Earl and Montell, and stepsons Stephen and DeAndre.  She has been blessed with three grandchildren, Ebony, Earl and Eriel.  She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.   Her interests are writing, reading, mentoring and motivating individuals to achieve their fullest potential.