Meet Ashley Harding | Founder, Educational Therapist, North Star Academics

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Harding and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Showing up every day!! Showing up when it was hard, boring, tedious, or difficult. There is no substitution for my presence in my business, with my students, and partnering with parents and schools. Presence, hope, and encouragement can never be discounted. Often, we all want the same things for ourselves and each other, and showing up to be a part of advocacy and acceptance is truly powerful. The most challenging and rewarding times in my career have been when I was a stand for others, advocating for their needs to be met and aspirations to be heard.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At North Star Academics, we are committed to creating innovative educational spaces that foster diversity and a sense of belonging for every student. We provide access to high-quality education, culturally responsive educators, and developmental support to Black and POC students and families.

We were founded on three core beliefs:

– All students should have equal access to high-quality education
– Parent engagement is fundamental to student learning
– Schools must be held accountable for meeting the needs of Black and BIPOC students

Many Black and POC students and families benefit from additional support in navigating the culture and expectations of private and independent schools. And likewise, many private and independent schools understand the need to incorporate Black and POC students and families into long-standing traditions. We partner with schools to meet the needs of these students by creating a plan, recommending accommodations, and supporting students throughout matriculation.

At North Star, we help our students succeed in the classroom and their school communities. We reassure every parent that their student can excel in the classroom and receive the best education possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Top Breakfast Spots Serving Spoon (Inglewood)
Superba Food + Bread (Marina del Rey)
Huntley Hotel (Santa Monica)
Sage Plant Bistro (Culver City)
Rae’s (Santa Monica)

Best Views in the City
Huntley Hotel (Santa Monica)
Malaga Cove (Palos Verdes)
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (Baldwin Hills)
Malibu Pier (Malibu)
Mulholland Scenic Overlook (Los Angeles)
Griffith Park (Los Feliz)

Meals with Seaside Views
Nobu (Malibu)
Mastro’s (Malibu)
SALT (Marina del Rey)
Beachside Restaurant in the Jamaica Bay Hotel (Marina del Rey)
The Lobster (Santa Monica)
Malibu Cove (Malibu)
Duke’s (Malibu)

Don’t Tell – Guilty Pleasures
Diddy Reese (Westwood)
Pitfire Pizza (Culver City)
Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken (Culver City)
Eataly (Century City)
Good Cake Company (Inglewood)
LAX Tacos (Inglewood)
Randy’s Donuts (Inglewood)

If in LA We Must Go To …
Dodger game (Los Angeles)
Hollywood Bowl for a summer evening concert (Hollywood)
Long Beach Jazz Festival for both days (Long Beach)
Up in Smoke Tour (LA Coliseum)
Underground Museum (Adams)
The Broad (Downtown)
The Wiltern for a concert (Los Angeles)
Farmers Market/The Grove (LaBrea)
Disneyland (Orange County)
First Fridays on Abbot Kinney (Venice)
The Getty Center (Santa Monica Mountains)

Miscellaneous Adventures
Malibu Winery (Malibu)
Lost Spirits Distillery (Downtown)
Farmers Market (LaBrea)
Sushi on Sawtelle (Los Angeles)
Leimert Park Farmers Market (Baldwin Hills)
Compton Cowboys (Compton)
Paddle Yoga (Newport Beach)
Spa Day at Four Seasons (Beverly Hills)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My tribe. My amazing family, friends, clients, school partners, and business advisors. My tribe has kept me going. They have fueled me with inspiration, prayer, encouragement, and wisdom. My tribe has advocated for me. My tribe has encouraged me to look beyond what I believe is possible and create a bigger future for myself and my students. My business (and I) has grown because of the amazing people God has placed in my life. There are too many to name, but I hope they all know how incredibly thankful I am for them.

Website: https://www.northstaracademics.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northstaracademics/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-star-academics/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/North-Star-Academics-102361719130124/

Image Credits
Skandia Schaefer