Axis Glow Up Gala 2022 Program

Letter from THE FOUNDER

Dear Glow Up Gala Guests:

It is my honor to welcome you to Private School Axis’ inaugural Glow Up Gala! Tonight we celebrate the “glow up” of Private School Axis as we enter our second year of operation; the “glow up” of independent schools across Los Angeles as they weave true diversity into the fabric of their learning communities; and the “glow up” of the students and families we serve by facilitating educational access and opportunity at Los Angeles independent schools.

Our mission is to create pathways for underrepresented students and families of color to access, navigate, and thrive in private education. Although Axis was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2020, this mission did not begin with us. The seed was planted nearly 50 years ago as my mother, Reveta Bowers, blazed new trails for students of color in private education long before independent schools began making commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Tonight we honor Reveta’s 40-plus year legacy as Head of School at The Center for Early Education, and commit ourselves to continuing her work to light the path to equity in education. Our students of color deserve every opportunity and resource available to realize their full potential because our world desperately needs their gifts and talents. Additionally, our schools will only become rich, thriving spaces of true learning, connection, and belonging with their presence.

Thank you to all of our attendees, sponsors, in-kind donors, board members, gala committee, and generous supporters. We invite you to enjoy the wide array of festivities tonight, from the live DJ and dancing to the graffiti activation, silent auction, and more. We hope that you have a fun and memorable evening. Thank you for joining our mission to bridge the gap between people of color and independent schools.

With gratitude,

Collette Bowers Zinn, J.D., M.Ed. Founder & Executive Director

Glow

Meet our INAUGURAL HONOREE REVETA BOWERS

Reveta Bowers served as the Head of School at The Center for Early Education for more than 40 years before retiring in June 2022. She is a beloved leader in the independent school community and an icon among educators.

For 15 consecutive years, Reveta was the Lead Faculty Member at the National Association of Independent Schools’ Institute for New Heads, where she taught more than 700 NAIS Heads of School. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Councilors of the Rossier Graduate School of Education at USC, and has served and continues to serve on a number of other boards.

Reveta was the only head of color in the California Association of Independent Schools when she first took on the role of Head of School at The Center for Early Education in 1976. She played an integral role in making inclusion, diversity, and access cornerstones of The Center’s educational philosophy and mission. She initiated the practice of including diversity questions in accreditation documents, prompting schools to examine their diversity policies and practices.

Reveta’s legacy continues through her daughter and Private School Axis Founder Collette Bowers Zinn. Axis is proud to carry forth Reveta’s legacy and continue the work she started nearly 50 years ago to bridge the gap between people of color and independent schools. By creating pathways for BIPOC students and families to access world-class educational opportunities, we are lighting the path to equity in education.

Entertainment

MARK ALLEN FELTON

A Chicago native and saxophonist extraordinaire, Mark Allen Felton a.k.a “Panther” has drawn upon a wealth of influences, including Grover Washington Jr., Earth Wind & Fire, Sonny Stitt, and Kool & the Gang. Formerly the saxophonist for Ray Parker Jr. (“Ghostbusters”), Felton has headlined soldout shows at some of the top venues domestically and internationally, including Blue Note Jazz Club, The Billboard Live, City Winery, and numerous festivals.

DJ PAUL “PRINTZ” PAGE

DJ Printz is fresh off a three-year span of touring the nation as the headlining DJ of the R&B ONLY Tour. Over the past 13 years, his long list of clients has included FX Television, The Grammy Foundation, Recording Academy, Nike, Adidas, Hennessy, Spotify, Def Jam, Disney, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and Macro Productions to name a few. Although he enjoys awards show after parties, Printz says his real joy comes from the four times a year he remembers to meditate.

JAMES DAVIS

James Davis is an actor, writer, entertainer, and stand-up comedian. He is best known for being executive producer, creator, and host of “Hood Adjacent with James Davis” on Comedy Central and the host of Netflix’s “Awake.” James is also known for this role on “The Real Husbands of Hollywood” and MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out.”

Meet an AXIS PARENT JENNIFER DUNBAR

Jennifer Dunbar is the Founder and CEO of doorsquad, a luxury relocation concierge based in Marina Del Rey, CA that services clients throughout the country. Jennifer and her partner have two sons, Miles and Davis. They initially came to Private School Axis seeking help with the private school admissions process for Miles, as he explored potential high schools. After joining Axis’ Founding Cohort in 2021 and receiving our guidance and support, Miles was admitted to and is now attending his first-choice Partner School.

The time has come for their younger son Davis to consider middle schools, so Jennifer and her family are once again working with Axis, as members of Cohort 2. We are thrilled to support the Blackson Dunbar family through the admissions process again this year, and we are excited to see where Davis lands!

This evening, Axis and Womxn of Wealth will present the Womxn of Wealth Financial Empowerment Scholarship to Jennifer Dunbar to support her work as an innovative entrepreneur and enthusiastic philanthropist. Womxn of Wealth supports women in asserting their financial prowess and multiplying their wealth confidently, joyfully, and sustainably. Their goal is to foster an environment in which women can safely learn about and better understand financial concepts and access strategic investment opportunities.

Thank you, Womxn of Wealth, and congratulations, Jennifer!

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN PEOPLE OF COLOR AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS.

ABOUT AXIS

Private School Axis partners with Los Angeles area independent schools to create pathways for underrepresented students and families of color to access, navigate, and thrive in private education.

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

THE PROBLEM

• People of color are underrepresented in Los Angeles independent schools.

• 44% of California residents are Latinx/Hispanic or Black, yet only 9.5% of California private school students are Latinx/Hispanic or Black.

• Only 5-10% of private school faculty are educators of color.

Latinx/Hispanic or Black

OUR SOLUTION

2 3

STUDENT PLACEMENT We guide students and families of color through the private school admissions process. EDUCATOR PLACEMENT We help educators of color find employment at independent schools to diversify faculty.

DEI PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & ACCREDITATION

We hold schools accountable for creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning communities.

CA PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS

or Black

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

SIGN UP for our mailing list DONATE to support our work FOLLOW US on social media SPONSOR our programs VOLUNTEER and make a difference GET IN TOUCH

/ (310) 729-9139

HOW WE HELP

Axis has created a Remarkable Assessment Process (RAP) to identify potential in underrepresented students of color who might otherwise be overlooked as candidates for private school admission. We help level the playing field for these students and their families by offering highly individualized guidance and support – including test prep, special campus tours, financial aid workshops, and interview exposure.

Live Auction Preview

CAYMAN ISLANDS VACATION PACKAGE

World-renowned for dining, diving, and its warm Caymankind culture, the Cayman Islands offers a memorable and luxurious experience for travelers of all ages and interests. This vacation package for two includes economy air transportation from Los Angeles to Grand Cayman on Cayman Airways and a 6-night stay in a 2-bedroom suite at CARIBBEAN CLUB, Grand Cayman’s most exclusive boutique hotel. Some restrictions apply.

Live Auction Preview

PRIVATE TRUFFLE DINNER FOR 10

BY CHEF TANINO DRAGO

World-renowned chef and restaurateur TANINO DRAGO (Via Alloro, Il Pastaio, Celestino, Drago Centro & Panzanella) will come to your home and prepare an exquisite four-course special truffle menu for 10, unlike anything your palate has ever experienced. This special night will be captured forever by Andrew Zinn of Zinn Photography, portraiture photographer extraordinaire.

GLOW SPONSORS

JOYCE & AVI ARAD

AXIS TEAM

Collette Bowers Zinn, J.D., M.Ed. Founder + Executive Director

Kiki Walker Director of Advancement

Annika Ihnat Advancement Communications Coordinator

Anthony Gaskins Associate Director for Programs

David Ortiz Executive Office Manager

Lassiter

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Francis

Samantha Vincent

Melinda Tsapatsaris

John McMichael

Aaron Mieszczanski

Rasheda

Thank you to our GALA

Kavita Ajmere Director of Counseling and Wellness Oakwood School

Erika Cooper Director Girl Well, Inc.

Todd Hawkins Vice President The Hawkins Company

Kara Sax Chief Executive Officer The Sax Agency

Randy Lee

Pink Sparrow is a forward-thinking design and fabrication shop specializing in experiential environments. Partnering with top-tier agencies and brands, we create the best platform for your message by producing high-quality, impactful environment for marketing events, pop-ups, mobile tours, retail, trade shows, and much more.

With over 40,000 sq ft of fabrication space across Los Angeles and Brooklyn, our multi-disciplinary team of industry experts are equipped to make any sized vision a reality.

Investing in our future

By empowering youth today, we inspire them to dream big and achieve their potential tomorrow.

We are proud to support Private School Axis and applaud its commitment to create pathways for underrepresented students and educators of color to access and thrive within Los Angeles’ independent private schools.

REVETA BOWERS Nobody moves it and shakes it exactly like you! Not so bad!

Reveta! We love and admire you!

& Bob Broder

Congratulations, Private School Axis, for your success in creating access for our underrepresented students and families of color to our independent schools. YOU are definitely making our region’s independent schools stronger and better for ALL STUDENTS. We also toast Axis for recognizing and honoring the incomparable REVETA BOWERS for her enduring and inspirational 40+ year legacy and her remarkable work in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools!

Much love and aloha, Don and Doreen Oleson

Thank you to our IN-KIND DONORS

AdaPia d’Errico / Womxn of Wealth

Alexandra Turtle & Associates

andSons Chocolatiers

Ashley Harding

Augustus Minniefield

Bacetti

Benjamin Shprits

Candace Nelson / Sprinkles

Cayman Airways

Chef Tanino Drago

Claudine Artisan Kitchen and Bakeshop

Craig’s Restaurant

Core Power Yoga

Damian

Deena Taylor

Detroit Pistons

Dog House Studio City

Erika Cooper

Erin McDowell

Esensten Family Gallery 90220

Gelila & Wolfgang Puck

Haati Vhai

Harper Girls, Inc. - McDonald’s

Healthy Spot

Isis Dua

James Munky Shaffer

Johnny Chao Design

Karen Lazar Design

Karen Walker

Kevin Bryant, Edgility Consulting

LA Phil

Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Opera

Loc Lov LA

Pacific Platinum Service

Patton Oswalt

Raffi’s Place

Reveta Bowers

Sayble Creations

So Fly Surf School

Stephanie Barron

The Olympia Collective

Timothy White

Tom Morello

Unexpected Artistry

Wear Brims

Will Raojenina

Yaël and Valérie

Y7 Studio

Zinn Photography

Thank you to our LIBATION SPONSORS