I believe every child deserves access to a great education in an engaging, healthy and safe building. As basic as that sounds, it is actually pretty radical because millions of students do not have access to this foundational need.
The average student spends 1,140 hours yearly inside a school building — yet, far too many of these spaces are outdated, unsafe or poorly maintained. In February, the nation took a collective gasp as the National Assessment of Educational Progress showed far too many students are not progressing. What can we do to reverse this trajectory? I suggest that it begins with improving the places where students live and learn and investing in facilities that anchor the community.
If we want to improve educational outcomes, we must recenter schools at the core of the community. In our fledgling years as a nation, the schoolhouse was literally in the center of town. Today, schools must be more than just structures — they must once again be the hubs of our communities, providing safe, modern and well-equipped environments where students can learn and everyone in the community can thrive.
At 22Beacon, we have a bold vision for the future. We believe public and private partnerships can improve school buildings, and better facilities can change the world we live in. We are committed to creating excellent learning environments for all students, especially those who need it most. And we are unafraid to advocate for the resources communities need.
Here is a little-known fact: thousands of public schools have to pay for their buildings. That’s right. Taxpayer dollars do not fund these buildings, and these schools overwhelmingly serve Black and Latino students and students from low-income families. The leaders of these schools are often subjected to predatory loans or forced to pay above-market rent and made to accept subpar facilities. That is unacceptable, and 22Beacon is determined to change it.
Since our inception, Charter Schools Development Corp. has worked tirelessly to ensure that all students — regardless of their ZIP code — have access to high-quality educational facilities. Our mission has always been to break barriers, providing schools in under-resourced communities with the funding and facilities they need to thrive. Now, we have evolved into 22Beacon — a new identity that reflects our unwavering commitment to building stronger communities and shaping brighter futures.
We have always believed that a high-functioning school is the heart of a thriving community. Today, we recognize that schools alone are not enough. To truly empower communities, we must think beyond the classroom and invest in the full spectrum of resources that support families, students and educators. We are expanding our focus to include early childhood education centers and workforce development hubs; possibly even health clinics and affordable housing — essential components of a thriving ecosystem where opportunity and growth are within reach for everyone.
22Beacon is built to break barriers. We specialize in providing financial and real estate solutions where others see only risk. Seventy-five percent of our portfolio consists of early stage educational ventures — projects that might otherwise struggle to secure the funding and support they need to succeed.
I have dedicated my life to helping underserved communities control and own their real estate — whether by directing real estate operations within an organization or leading a corporation founded on this mission. The work of 22Beacon is not just about buildings — it is about ensuring that communities have the foundation they need to thrive and grow for generations.
However, impact is not just about strategy — it is also about partnership and trust. We understand that every project is unique, and we are committed to working side by side with school leaders, community organizations and financial institutions to develop tailored solutions that meet their specific needs.
For those who believe that every child deserves a high-quality education and that every community deserves the resources to thrive, 22Beacon is ready to stand with you. It is time to recenter school buildings as the heart of our communities, ensuring they support the evolving needs of students and educators. If we want better scores and better educational outcomes for all students, we must start by transforming the places where learning happens. Let us take action together.
