SUPPORTERS
Our Partners
Our partners are a vital part of the LA’s BEST community. We are grateful to all our partners for their generous contributions, which allow us to support students holistically. We would like to thank a few partners in particular:
AdvoCare Foundation has been a strong ally since 2016 in our health and wellness programming, making it possible for LA’s BEST students to participate in experiential learning in nutrition education and continue to have a wide variety of physical activity options that boost their readiness to lead healthy lifestyles.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation has generously supported our critical capacity building endeavors over the last two years, funding key initiatives to benefit both staff and students. This includes grant funds for a dedicated team to explore and lay the groundwork to strategically create career pathways for staff to become teachers. This means more young Angelenos will see people like themselves in positions of leadership.
Our long-time and steadfast partner, Kaiser Permanente, made a significant investment to support us in implementing a new and improved Learning Management System that will complement in-person professional development. It will also increase opportunities for staff to connect and learn from each other.
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, The Green Foundation, and the Danhakl Family Foundation provided generous unrestricted grant support to LA’s BEST during this challenging time, which has been instrumental in our ability to continue to BEST serve our communities and meet immediate needs, while also laying a foundation for our success in upcoming years.
Board Member Spotlight: Kelechi Ogbunamiri
I view my involvement with LA’s BEST as an opportunity to assist in keeping children on the right track and inspiring others to support LA’s BEST’s impact that lasts a lifetime.
Kelechi first learned about LA’s BEST in 2013 from a friend and has been actively involved ever since. He first joined the BEST Friends Board leading fundraising events and currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Chair of the Development Committee. We are grateful that Kelechi’s dedication to fundraising and engaging his professional and personal networks has led to significant event sponsorships, generous corporate grants, committed volunteerism and substantial individual donations. Thank you Kelechi!
Alumni Spotlight: Justin Zepeda
LA’s BEST changed the trajectory of my life through sports, and for that, I’m forever grateful.
Justin attended LA’s BEST at Sylmar Elementary along with his four siblings. Justin wasn’t initially interested in sports but that all changed when he joined LA’s BEST. Justin proudly asserts that his time in LA’s BEST fostered a strong work ethic and intrinsic motivation that helped him grow into the person he is today.
After receiving a football scholarship to college, Justin earned a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and recently relocated to New York City where he works as the Senior Product Marketing Manager at FanDuel. He also helps small businesses, working towards his ultimate long-term goal of establishing a nonprofit dedicated to bolstering minority-owned businesses across the US. Read more about Justin’s journey here.
Events
The Future Of Afterschool
Former Mayor Eric Garcetti, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and prominent leaders in the education, government, philanthropic, and business sectors joined LA’s BEST at USC on August 24, 2022 to talk about the impact of afterschool on the future of Los Angeles.
Esteemed speakers and panelists included: Alan Arkatov, Deidre Lind, Pedro Noguera and David Travers who discussed the importance of exposing students and our workforce to career opportunities and industries that can help set the trajectory of their journey to college and achieving career goals. Click here for more information about The Future of Aftershchool.
Locally Grown: A Garden Party
The LA’s BEST Community gathered for Locally Grown: A Garden Party on October 13, 2022 for garden-infused cocktails and hors d’oeuvres created by local noteworthy chefs and generously hosted by Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser in their beautiful garden at Redbird | Vibiana. Chefs included: Neal Fraser | Redbird | Vibiana; Fred Eric in collaboration with Masa Kagaya | Fred 62 & Tensho; Ray Garcia | asterid; David LeFevre | Fishing With Dynamite; Arjun & Nakul Mahendro | Badmaash & Burgers 99; Steve Samson | Rossoblu | Superfine Pizza; Dustin Trani | J.Trani’s | Trani’s Dockside Station and; Vanessa & Thomas Tilaka Kalb | Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery. Click here for more information about Locally Grown: A Garden Party.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD)
Over 100 girls and staff from three LA’s BEST sites participated in NGWSD on February 1, 2023. Sunrise Elementary School hosted this event and we are grateful to all our volunteers and staff who made this powerful and inspiring day possible. Thank you PepsiCo Women of Color ERG for supporting our event and helping girls explore softball, football, soccer, basketball, and dance. Special thanks to our former Board Member, McCall Hall, and our friends from LA28, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Rams and Angel City Football Club for sharing their careers in sports! Click here for more information about NGWSD.
