Private School Village Supported Black Families

Founded in 2018, the nonprofit organization now serves families across more than 90 schools in California.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold vector editorial illustration of two empty woven chairs sitting under an oak tree, representing community connection and support. — Private School Village, a nonprofit founded in 2018, now connects Black families across more than 90 California private schools to reduce racial isolation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Private School Village was founded in 2018 to foster community among Black families navigating private school environments. The organization now facilitates social groups and networking across more than 90 schools to combat racial isolation.

Why it matters

The organization addresses the racial isolation experienced by Black students, who represent only 9% of K-12 private school enrollment. It provides essential support and financial aid to help families navigate the high costs of private education.

The Village Scholarship provided $398,000 in tuition assistance to 19 students across 12 schools. This aid supplements a private education landscape where median tuition reached $26,866 during the 2019-20 school year.

The players

Kawanna Brown

She is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Private School Village.

Lisa Johnson

She is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Private School Village.

Private School Village

This nonprofit organization supports Black families and students within private school systems.

The details

Private School Village organizes parent ambassador networks, social groups, and leadership activities to support its members. The initiative grew from an initial park playdate organized by founders Kawanna Brown and Lisa Johnson into a network serving over 90 schools.

Private School Village was founded and formalized as a nonprofit in 2018.
Median private school tuition reached $26,866 during the 2019-2020 period.
Total private school enrollment reached 4.7 million students in fall 2021.
The organization launched the Somos PSV initiative in 2022.
18 states had universal private-school-choice programs as of January 2026.

Culture Shift

The organization's growth reflects an alternative approach to school choice by focusing on community-building rather than the universal state-funded voucher programs observed in 18 states. This movement highlights a growing emphasis on social support networks as families navigate increasingly complex private education systems.

Families in the California network can utilize parent ambassador programs and scholarship opportunities to reduce the financial burden of private tuition. These resources assist parents in securing long-term educational access while navigating the associated social and economic barriers.

The takeaway

Building strong parent networks is a proven strategy for improving the retention and experience of minority students in private institutions. Families should explore similar regional advocacy groups to maximize their access to available tuition assistance programs.