Meet Danisha Abdul-Jabbaar | Deputy Director of Private School Village

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danisha Abdul-Jabbaar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danisha, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Private School Village (PSV) exists to ensure that, once Black and Brown families enter independent schools, they are not alone. We help Black and Brown students and their families feel seen, supported, and empowered within their school communities.

Our work focuses on belonging, creating spaces where families connect, students are affirmed, and schools grow in cultural understanding. Through workshops, mentoring, student leadership programs, and parent engagement, PSV builds bridges that strengthen both families and private school institutions.

We partner with more than 100 schools, walking alongside them as they work to build equitable and inclusive environments. Our mission isn’t just to help families adjust, but to help schools evolve so every child can thrive in an environment that recognizes their value and contributions.

The impact goes beyond academics. When students feel like they belong, they show up with confidence. When parents feel supported, they engage more fully. And when schools partner with PSV, entire communities benefit, creating a ripple effect of inclusion, empathy, and shared purpose that reaches far beyond the classroom.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career path has never followed a straight line, and I’m grateful for that. I’ve always been guided by passion and purpose. After earning my degree in Psychology and Allied Science from Howard University, I pursued my first love, acting, and later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Along the way, I taught in Los Angeles public schools and worked in social services, both roles that deepened my understanding of how care, community, and representation shape a child’s sense of belonging.

Eventually, I invested in a fitness franchise called Extreme Boot Camp, which gave me the flexibility to work while raising my family. As my oldest son entered school, I found myself volunteering more, organizing, leading, and advocating for families. I served as PA president for 3 years and held other leadership positions, which taught me how powerful it can be when parents come together to build community.

When Private School Village (PSV) began, I immediately knew I wanted to help it grow. It brought together everything I cared about: family, education, identity, and connection. PSV gave me a place to bring my love of creativity into leadership. The storytelling instincts I developed as an actor still guide how I build programs, shape messages, and connect people.

The path hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply meaningful. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about control; it’s about care, about creating space where others can see themselves and stand taller. That’s what PSV is about: helping families feel seen, and helping schools understand that belonging isn’t optional; it’s essential.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit from the East Coast, first stop would be House of Tacos in Inglewood, nothing fancy, just good food that hits every time. We’d definitely make our way to Dulan’s or Flavor Table for soul food, too, because you can’t come to L.A. and not eat well.

We’d stop by The Gathering Spot since there’s always something happening there, and All Chill in Leimert Park is a must. It’s an ice cream shop owned by Howard alums, so it’s a vibe and a little taste of home. A hike at Kenneth Hahn Park would also make the list since it’s one of my favorite places to reset and take in the city views.

And because it’s L.A., we’d have to do the beach, maybe Santa Monica if we want to shop and see the beach, or Manhattan if we’re going to stroll the beach.

She’d also have to come with me to a Private School Village event. Funny enough, she just met me in Philadelphia this past Sunday for the inaugural PSV Philly picnic. She’s a public school teacher in D.C. and didn’t totally get why I pour so much time into this work, but after that event, she told me she finally understood. She said, “I get it now, I see why this matters.” That meant a lot.

So yeah, food, community, sunshine, and purpose, that’s my version of showing someone the real L.A.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without question, my shoutout goes to Lisa Johnson, the founder and heart of Private School Village. Without Lisa, there would be no PSV.

My son attended the very first Private School Village Back-to-School Picnic, and even at six years old, he felt something special. Afterward, he told me he wanted to go back to “the place where all the brown kids were.” At the time, he didn’t yet have the language to say he was a Black boy, but he knew what it felt like to belong. That’s the kind of space Lisa created, one where our children could see themselves reflected, valued, and celebrated.

Lisa is the backbone of Private School Village, but PSV wouldn’t be what it is today without the incredible community of parents who give their time, energy, and love to make sure our Black and Brown children are seen, heard, and supported in the private school space. This is a collective effort built on care, commitment, and community, and it all started with Lisa’s vision.

I also want to acknowledge my mother. While she wasn’t involved in PSV, she was constantly giving to the community around her. She volunteered with the Pop Warner league long after my sister and I were grown. She bought groceries for families who were struggling. She showed up for every child she met. Watching her work tirelessly, without ever needing recognition, taught me what it means to support others with heart and consistency. The way I serve today, the way I believe in community, is because of her. She passed recently, and from now on, I want to carry her with me into everything I do.

Website: https://privateschoolvillage.org

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