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Through her foundation, Dany Garcia Johnson is helping low-income children Realize their dreams of higher education.

I’m a dreamer,” says 5-year-old Alexander Rodriguez, adding, “I’ll make it all the way to college.”
With college costs soaring and the financial obstacles that often befall growing families, for Alexander, one of three children, this dream can seem far-fetched. However, Alexander’s chances for higher education are better than ever thanks to the good works of entrepreneur, philanthropist, mother and movie-star wife Dany Garcia Johnson, who is striving to bring children’s college dreams within reach.
The Cuban American has her hands full professionally as head of the wealth management firm JDM Partners and also as an entertainment executive, and personally as the wife of former prowrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) and as mother of a 5-year-old daughter, Simone. She’s also involved in entertainment projects including a six-hour miniseries about Cuba starring Patricia Velasquez, slated to air in December 2008. Somehow, she still finds time to give back to the community.
“I’ve chosen this path to live full throttle as a business woman, philanthropist and mom,” she says.
Among Garcia Johnson’s current philanthropic endeavors is The Beacon Experience, where Alexander is now enrolled, a foundation aimed at helping students succeed.
“Despite grades, we want to give students the opportunity to go to college. Many will be the first in their families to go,” she says. “We hope to show them opportunities and provide them with the tools. ‘If you want to be a doctor, here’s what you have to do to get there.’”
The daughter of Cuban immigrants who arrived in the country as teens, Garcia Johnson and her two siblings grew up in New Jersey. Her aspiration to go to college was fueled by her mother and her father worked hard sweeping floors at an auto shop for 35 years. Her dream was realized when she attended the University of Miami, where she met her husband and graduated with a degree in international finance and marketing. The power couple recently donated $2 million to the University of Miami.
The Beacon Experience, which required an initial investment of $400,000, works as a cohort of a larger national program, The “I Have a Dream” Foundation, which is present in 27 states and has mentored more than 13,000 students over two decades. The Beacon Experience has also partnered with Take Stock in Children, which allows it to purchase prepaid Florida scholarships at a 50 percent discount.
Two kindergarten classes at Miami’s Colonial Drive Elementary were chosen by Garcia Johnson to participate in the program. Nearly 50 students are enrolled.
“I’m extremely excited. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the children,” says Henry Fernandez, the principal of Colonial Drive Elementary. “This program will enrich their lives, enhance their academic experience and reward them with the ultimate reward—scholarships.”
The students will be mentored through their academic life—a 13-year commitment. Once they graduate high school, they receive a paid scholarship to a vocational school or university, plus room and board. Parents must sign commitment forms promising to attend monthly meetings. If students change schools, Garcia Johnson says the program follows them.
“I think the chances for these students having the money to go to college is very rare,” says Tatiana Godoy, one of the participating teachers. “This is one less worry on their minds.”
The students receive access to mentors, tutors, after-care programs and field trips. The first phase of the program, which officially launched in November 2006, was to hire teachers’ aides and purchase 10 laptops for both kindergarten classes.
Mary Moulton is the mother of five kids including Matthew who’s in the program. “I hope for him to be motivated with academic challenges and be successful.”
Although they’re onboard now, garnering parental support wasn’t easy at first, according to Michael Mendez, the executive director of The Beacon Experience. “We thought parents would jump right on it. We hosted a lot of meetings to sell the parents on the program. They were skeptical at first.” Many are not used to receiving anything for free and are protective of their children.
Evelyn Aguilar is an example of skepticism turned into success. She is one of the “I Have a Dream Foundation” students and the first to graduate high school in her family.
“My grades weren’t good. I had family problems. My dad didn’t have a job,” she says. “My mom didn’t want me to get involved because they [her parents] didn’t have papers.”
Her parents eventually accepted, and she joined the program in third grade. The organization helped improve her reading and paid for schoolbooks. She’s currently enrolled at Miami-Dade College and is the Florida market manager for a record label managing a sales staff of seven. Her parents are now residents.
“She was shy. The program helped her build confidence,” says Ricky Wiggins, Aguilar’s mentor. “Today, she travels the country and is a self-assured young lady. She negotiates contracts and speaks in front of large groups. This program is important because these kids have a tremendous need.”
“The way things are financially, it’s hard for us. We have three kids; at least we have one guaranteed,” says Ricky Perez, father to Joshua, who’s part of the program.
As for Alexander, his dreams upon graduation seem all but solidified. “[I want to] become a doctor or an FBI agent. Doctors can hear people’s hearts and know what to do; and FBI agents capture the bad guys.”
Garcia Johnson says she can’t wait until the kids graduate in May 2019. “These are my kids.”