LOS ANGELES — Beaming with pride, Breanna Freeman-Jordan looks at photos of her two teenage children, who are thriving at two private independent schools in Los Angeles.

For Freeman-Jordan, a physician and mother, these opportunities wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Independent School Alliance, an organization dedicated to helping students from underrepresented racial and socioeconomic backgrounds access elite educational institutions. 

Freeman-Jordan first learned about the alliance through a childhood friend, who encouraged her to apply for the program.

“The alliance’s goal is to make sure that students who lack resources have access to excellent educational opportunities at independent schools,” she explained.

While grateful for the opportunities her children have, Freeman-Jordan acknowledges a stark reality — diversity in these schools is still lacking.

“My son makes up about 9% of the population at his school, and it’s the same for my daughter,” she said.

For her, diversity in elite educational spaces isn’t just a matter of representation — it’s essential for preparing future leaders.

“If these are the best schools in Los Angeles, and these are the kids being taught and raised to be leaders, they cannot lead in isolation. They need to share experiences with people from all walks of life to ensure we have a strong future,” Freeman-Jordan emphasized.

She believes exposure to different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives benefits all students, preparing them for the diverse world they will eventually lead.

The Independent School Alliance goes beyond just school placement, ensuring students and their families are matched with institutions where they can thrive.

“It’s not just about choosing the best school — it’s about finding the right fit for both the child and the family,” Freeman-Jordan explained.

For years, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives have played a crucial role in helping historically underrepresented students gain access to top-tier schools. However, these programs have recently come under fire, particularly following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, which sought to end federal support for DEI efforts.

Dr. Dana Coleman, executive director of the Independent School Alliance, has seen the impact firsthand.

“Programs like ours ensure that every child, regardless of background, has an opportunity to succeed. Without DEI programs, many talented students wouldn’t have access to the resources, mentorship and support they need to thrive,” she said.

Coleman explained that research shows all students benefit when they are educated alongside peers from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

“Our students don’t just bring academic excellence—they enrich the entire school community,” she noted.

Despite the proven benefits, organizations like the Independent School Alliance are facing challenges.

“We recently lost funding from a long-term donor simply because we operate in the DEI space. This is a reality many nonprofit organizations will have to face if these rollbacks continue,” Coleman warned. 

Freeman-Jordan fears that without DEI programs, families like hers will lose access to life-changing educational opportunities.

“People act like DEI means ‘less than,’ like it means unqualified. That’s simply not true. I am DEI. I went to medical school, took the same tests, and had to qualify just like everyone else. The difference was access — being in the right place with the right people at the right time,” she said.

She believes DEI initiatives aren’t about giving students an unfair advantage, but rather ensuring that talented students from all backgrounds have the same opportunities as their peers.

“The best talent might be in South Central, but we’ll never know because they never had the same access,” she said.

As the debate over DEI continues, families and advocates are committed to fighting for a future where elite schools reflect the diversity of the world around them.

“America is diverse, and our schools should be too,” Freeman-Jordan said.

For now, she remains grateful that her children are thriving and hopes that future generations will continue to have the same opportunities.