Ahkilah Johnson

Ahkilah doesn’t just build buildings—she builds better outcomes. A trained architect with over 20 years of experience in real estate, Ahkilah has led the development and delivery of over 1.3 million square feet of new construction and major renovations for permanent charter school facilities—consistently delivered on time and on or under budget. Her approach blends technical precision with a deep understanding of how the built environment shapes student success. At every stage, she ensures that each space she helps create reflects the ambition, identity, and excellence of the schools and communities it serves.

Ahkilah began her career in private-sector real estate, holding roles at Clark Construction Group and Cherokee Investment Partners, where she gained hands-on experience in site diligence, acquisition, investment strategy, portfolio management, land use, lease negotiation, and complex project management. She entered the charter school sector in 2009. At Uncommon Schools, she led real estate operations through its most significant period of growth, expanding the network from 9 to 54 schools and overseeing a 2.4 million square foot portfolio. At KIPP NYC, she managed over $500 million in active school development and led the delivery of more than 400,000 square feet of new construction serving 4,100 students—including five facilities opened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her commitment to empowering underrepresented communities extends beyond school walls: Ahkilah co-designed a first-of-its-kind insurance product to reduce barriers for MWBE subcontractors and expand participation in the economic opportunity her projects create. 

She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University, a Master’s in Real Estate Development from Columbia University, and an executive certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Columbia Business School.