Andre and Lisa Johnson Address Private School Challenges for Black and Brown Students
Andre and Lisa Johnson, son and daughter-in-law of NBA legend Magic Johnson, are addressing the unique challenges faced by Black and Brown students in private schools through their non-profit organization, Private School Village (PSV). Their initiative gained renewed attention following a viral New York Times article by Nikole Hannah-Jones, which discussed the complexities of schooling choices for minority families. Lisa Johnson, who experienced microaggressions and social isolation in private schools, and Andre, who faced a racial incident in public school, founded PSV in 2018. What began as a small picnic for a few friends quickly grew into an event attracting 500 people, revealing a significant need for community among Black and Brown private school families. PSV now offers various programs, including historically Black college and university tours and racial literacy training, to ensure these students feel seen, valued, and supported.