About Us
Who we are.
We are the global, committed solution this nation and the world desperately need. Flip These Bricks Academy is a not-for-profit organization founded and led by Daniel Salem Dawkins II — a proven visionary, community mentor, and construction industry expert with over 26 years of experience.
Daniel is more than the Chief of Staff — he is the boots-on-the-ground Regional Director, managing, mentoring, and actively training within every facet of our operations. Under his leadership, Flip These Bricks is a hands-on foundation of support for:
- Youth looking for purpose
- Returning citizens seeking a second chance
- Underserved communities looking for a real solution
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to build people by teaching them how to build for themselves.
Why NYC & Beyond
New York City is more than our headquarters. It’s our founder’s birthplace, and the heart of this movement. Daniel believes in giving back to the place that raised him — unlike many who leave success behind in their community, he came back. That decision created a ripple effect that is now expanding across the U.S. and abroad.
Flip These Bricks Academy is actively expanding chapters in:
- Atlanta Metro Area
- Los Angeles, CA
- Dallas Metroplex, TX
- Chicago, IL
- International programs in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana
A New Job Corps for the People
With the decline of Job Corps nationwide, we’ve stepped in to carry the torch. But we’re not just continuing their legacy — we’re evolving it:
- Our Youth Build Program teaches trades plus entrepreneurship and real estate
- Our Second Chance Program supports adults post-incarceration with job placement, business mentorship, and housing connections
We are the new model. We’re rebuilding the workforce. We’re rebuilding mindsets.
Founded on Purpose
Despite the street life knocking at every corner, Daniel chose another path — enrolling in Job Corps at the Kittrell Center in North Carolina. That experience was life-changing. It taught him skills, discipline, and gave him a reason to believe in himself.
Daniel’s story is the heart of our movement. He wasn’t born with wealth or privilege — he was raised in a two-parent household, but after tragically losing both parents at the age of 10, his life changed forever. Relocated to Brooklyn with his grandmother, who soon passed as well, Daniel faced the harsh reality of growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods.
Today, that same belief fuels Flip These Bricks Academy. Daniel built a thriving construction company, and now, he’s building a legacy through this Academy — offering what he never had to the next generation and those forgotten by society.
You can learn more about his full journey at www.DanielDawkins.com.
Our Team & Board of Directors
Every member of our leadership team is hand-selected and aligned with Mr. Dawkins’ vision to put a real dent in the cycles of poverty, crime, and recidivism. They are leaders who’ve walked the walk — and are now helping others run.
Flip These Bricks Academy is actively expanding chapters in:
- Atlanta Metro Area
- Los Angeles, CA
- Dallas Metroplex, TX
- Chicago, IL
- International programs in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a donor, government official, program director, volunteer, or simply someone who wants to make a difference — Flip These Bricks Academy is your opportunity to do something real, right now.
We are not just preparing students for jobs. We are preparing them for ownership, freedom, and legacy.