We're Celebrating Summer 2025 Wins

Last month was a milestone in our journey. In a moment of celebration and purpose, I had the privilege of ringing the Nasdaq closing bell in New York City on behalf of REACH Pathways, honored as a 2025 Chicago Innovation Award winner. We built REACH to create a new future for first-generation, low-income students and now that vision is ringing out across the country to our rapidly growing user base. Which brings me to my next announcement… 

REACH recently surpassed 20,000 users. This achievement is the result of every scholar, mentor, teammate, and partner who believes in what’s possible when we build with and for community, and to the Chicago Scholars community that has served as our foundation. While we relish the moment to celebrate, our focus remains forward, on adding new pathways, leaders and ideas to build on what has only just begun. .

And yes, I’m thrilled to share that REACH is adding new career pathways. Thanks to funding from The GitLab Foundation, we are now adding both union and college pathways to green jobs and advanced manufacturing, built in partnership with Chicago Scholars and HIRE360.

I wanted to share these updates because the news so often reminds us of what is broken. Yet every day I see how much there is to hope for. Young people show us that talent is everywhere, and they deserve the tools to thrive in a changing world. That is why REACH has launched our AI Fluency curriculum, preparing the next generation with the skills they will need in a rapidly evolving workforce.

This work reminds me daily that even in uncertain times, there’s a lot to believe in. Thank you for walking alongside us and for believing in the next generation of leaders.

Sincerely,

Jeffery Beckham Jr.

Co-CEO of REACH Pathways