Private School Village Raises $4 Million to Bridge Cultural Gaps in LA Education

Private School Village Raises $4 Million, Fosters Diversity Among LA Students In a groundbreaking effort to bridge cultural gaps in private education, Private School Village (PSV) successfully raised $4 million at its annual Back to School event, held last weekend at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. The non-profit community's initiative brought together over 3,000 parents and students from diverse backgrounds, marking a significant milestone in promoting inclusivity and representation in private schools. According to Lisa Johnson, co-founder of PSV, the event was designed to "empower Black and brown families who are often overlooked in traditional school settings." Johnson emphasized the importance of creating a supportive network for these families, stating, "We want to provide them with resources, programming, and visibility that they may not have access to otherwise." The $4 million raised will be used to support PSV's programs and initiatives, which aim to address the cultural gaps that often exist in private schools. These efforts include providing mentorship opportunities, cultural events, and educational workshops tailored to the needs of Black and brown students. PSV was established by Johnson and her husband Andre, who were inspired by their own experiences as parents seeking a more inclusive education for their children. According to Johnson, "We saw a need for a community that would support families like ours, who are often marginalized in traditional school settings." The event's success is significant, given the growing number of private school students from diverse backgrounds. The most recent federal data shows that 4.7 million K-12 students are enrolled in private schools, with Black and brown students making up a substantial portion of this demographic. PSV's efforts have garnered attention from educators and policymakers, who see the initiative as a model for promoting diversity and inclusion in private education. Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an education expert at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), noted that PSV's approach is "innovative and much-needed." She added, "By creating a supportive community for Black and brown families, PSV is helping to address the systemic inequalities that exist in private schools." The success of PSV's event has also sparked interest from other organizations looking to replicate its model. Johnson expressed her enthusiasm for the potential impact, stating, "We're proud to be a part of this movement towards greater inclusivity and representation in private education. We hope our efforts will inspire others to join us in creating more diverse and supportive communities." As PSV continues to grow and expand its initiatives, it remains committed to its mission of empowering Black and brown families through education and community building. With the $4 million raised at the Back to School event, PSV is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of thousands of students and families in Los Angeles. Background: Private School Village (PSV) was founded by Lisa Johnson and her husband Andre in 2018 with the goal of creating a supportive community for Black and brown families in private schools. The organization's programs and initiatives aim to address cultural gaps and promote inclusivity, representation, and diversity in private education. Additional Perspectives: "PSV's work is essential in addressing the systemic inequalities that exist in private schools," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an education expert at UCLA. "We're proud to be a part of this movement towards greater inclusivity and representation in private education," added Lisa Johnson, co-founder of PSV. Current Status: PSV has raised $4 million through its annual Back to School event, which will be used to support the organization's programs and initiatives. The organization continues to grow and expand its efforts, with a focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in private education. Next Developments: PSV plans to continue its work in promoting inclusivity and representation in private schools. The organization is exploring partnerships with other organizations and institutions to replicate its model and create more diverse and supportive communities. *Reporting by Forbes.*