Diversity, equity, and inclusion remain under attack in the current political environment, but that’s not stopping people from finding community where it’s needed the most. Lisa Johnson, the California-based mother and founder of Private School Village, aims to address social isolation amongst Black students and families at independent schools. According to the National Center for Education Statisticsof the nearly five million students who attend private schools in the United States, less than 10 percent identify as Black. Those students tend to feel isolated, which can impact their success.
As a private school parent, I’ve seen firsthand why affinity groups like PSV are important. In my own experience, it’s nice to be able to come together with parents and their children, who experience the world through a different lens from a lot of the non-Black or POC families at the same schools. It’s especially good when you’re a parent to be able to chat with parents who have had more experience at the school than you. You can get the scoop on certain teachers and resources not just at the school, but also on what to do during school breaks and beyond.
Growing up in Atlanta, Johnson felt social isolation while attending private schools. As an adult, she found herself navigating the private school system in Los Angeles with her two children, who face similar challenges, so she started building her own community. What began as local meetups blossomed into Private School Village, a parent-led non-profit that supports K-12 private school students and their families by providing mental health workshops, social activities, and scholarships. Seven years later, PSV has raised nearly $4 million and is outpacing several national education nonprofits in growth.
“School partners provide a consistent level of financial support, but it is the generosity of donors that sustains our mission. Sometimes people only see what’s in front of them — the joy of showing up to an event or program — without realizing that every single dollar above the price of a low-to-no-cost ticket is required to bring this to life,” Johnson said to Forbes. “So, this movement isn’t just about raising more money; it’s an opportunity to help families understand the power of philanthropy and what it means to invest in something that feeds back into the leaders of tomorrow.”
PSV programming includes social pods that allow students to connect with peers at each grade level. These parent ambassadors serve as resources for navigating school systems and other family events, such as picnics and sneaker balls. The point is to create a sense of belonging and to help students thrive. Next up for the growing non-profit is expanding its program to other cities, starting with its newly launched Philadelphia chapter.
