Racial Socialization Is the Antidote to Isolation

Mental health

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

A diverse community is central to benefitting from a sense of belonging in the school community, an essential need for students, especially students of color. However, low racial representation in private schools perpetuates isolation. Even when admitted, as Jenny Anderson wrote in the NY Times, "Admitted, But Left Out," Black students in private schools are often not accepted which manifests as indifference, silence, and segregation. It is too often an isolating experience that can impact self-esteem and when one’s confidence lacks this informs everything such as outlook, happiness, social skills and abilities, motivation, self-worth, and more. This has life-long implications as this experience in school imprints during the most significant part of adolescent development, challenging the ability to reach full potential at best; creating mental health issues for life, at worst. PSV brings families and students together across private schools to support and resource one another.

In the 90s, Dr. Howard Stevenson's research into Black students in independent schools (Success of African American Students–SAAS–in Independent Schools) recommended that private schools ban together to racially socialize Black students across private schools as an antidote to isolation. That recommendation was ignored until 2018, when Private School Village (PSV) families decided to come together across schools so that their children could fully thrive through the private school experience. As such, a foundational programmatic pillar of PSV is to increase racial socialization which prepares children for anticipatory experiences, builds Black pride, and educates about what it means to be Black in America. It socializes children of the same racial background in their history, traditions and culture while bolstering a healthy sense of self. PSV PreK-8th Grade Social Pods is a 2-year old program that affords Black children in private school an opportunity to be seen, valued, supported, and connected. Grade-level volunteer parent co-chairs work throughout the year to organize opportunities for Black students enrolled in the same grades across Los Angeles private schools to benefit from a sense of belonging. Pod activities are typically a mix of fun activities such as roller skating, beach dates, scavenger hunts and escape room, with educational opportunities such as visits to museums, racial literacy trainings, mental health awareness, and more.

PSV Grade-Level Social Pods provide regular opportunities to gather, share resources, and provide education which is priceless in the fight against isolation. In partnership with more than 65 Los Angeles private schools (and growing), PSV works collaboratively with Black and brown families to make this program available at low to no cost. We know through testimonials and feedback that this program is helping Angelenos feel a stronger sense of belonging in the school community which is paramount to healthy human development. Los Angeles County will see a significant boost in the self-esteem and connectivity of Black and brown children, who are our future leaders. By investing in these children, we foster a new generation of leaders who will give back to their communities and be better adjusted mentally. Our long-term vision includes expanding this program to reach even more students and schools, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students in Los Angeles County.

PSV has developed a logic model that includes inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact to measure our success. Since our inception in 2018, PSV has seen tremendous growth: from 219 members in FY2019 to nearly 5,700 community members by September 2023, a 2500% increase. We expanded our programs from six events in FY2019 to 34 in FY2023, focusing on racial socialization and community building. From January 2019-2023, we know the number of students and parents who participated in mental health and/or racial literacy skill building sessions provided by PSV totaled 300 (during COVID with some in person and hybrid activities and some having purposeful capacity limits). This growth demonstrates our effectiveness in addressing the needs of Black and brown families and students in private schools.