Early this December, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Exchange24 in Washington, D.C., a groundbreaking conference hosted by XQ Institute and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Over three transformative days, attendees from across education, business, and philanthropy came together to rethink what high schools can and should be—and how we can collectively create an educational architecture that truly prepares students for life, college, and careers.
From thought leaders like Executive and Philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs to innovative voices like Geoffrey Canada (Harlem Children's Zone President), Denise Forte (The Education Trust President and CEO), and Larry Berger (Amplify CEO), the sessions sparked new ideas and collaborations. Topics ranged from rethinking GPA as the primary measure of student success and replacing the Carnegie Unit to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence in education and exploring the role of arts in fostering empathy. Every discussion was a reminder of the vast potential and responsibility we have to shape education in meaningful ways.
Reflecting on the experience, I am so thankful to Russlynn Ali (CEO and Co-founder of the XQ Institute) and Timothy Knowles (President at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching), along with their incredible teams at XQ and the Carnegie Foundation, for creating such a dynamic, thought-provoking event and for including me. The conversations, connections, and moments of shared purpose made Exchange24 unforgettable.
As I left D.C., I felt re-energized for the work ahead. I’m grateful for the chance to reconnect with old colleagues, meet new partners, and dream together about what’s possible for the future of high schools. There’s so much more to do, but with this kind of collective commitment, the future looks bright.
Let’s keep this important work going—together.
If you want to see the highlights and feel the energy of Exchange24, check out this video: Exchange24 Highlights.
For more on the host organizations:
XQ Institute: Dedicated to rethinking high schools, creating centers of innovative learning where every student thrives.
Carnegie Foundation: Committed to solving inequities in education through improvement science and collaborative networks.