Latoya Allen | ACES (Admission Consulting & Educational Services)
| latoya@acesadmissions.com |
| What’s the name of your business, nonprofit or project? |
| ACES (Admission Consulting & Educational Services) |
| What city and country is your business, nonprofit or project located in? |
| New York City- USA |
| Link to Your Website (if applicable) |
| https://www.acesadmissions.com/ |
| Links to Your Social Media Pages (if applicable) |
| https://www.instagram.com/aces_admissions |
| Describe your business, nonprofit or project, and the products and/or services you offer? |
| ACES is an admission access organization educating, advising, and supporting families to navigate the independent (private) day and boarding school admission processes. ACES serves as a valuable admission knowledge hub, offering compassionate and professional support to families. Rooted in transparency, ACES is dedicated to providing families with intentional guidance allowing families the potential to access an independent school education that best serves the child and family. The three pillars of ACES are knowledge, access, and relationships. Our mission is to raise awareness about independent (private) schools and guide families through the admission process, ultimately providing children with access to an elite education. |
| Are you Caribbean or African, or of Caribbean or African descent? If you are, please tell us details. |
| Yes, I was born in Kingston, Jamaica. I immigrated to the US (Bronx, NY) when I was seven years old. |
| Do you think your Caribbean or African upbringing/heritage has impacted your work? If so, please explain how. |
| My Caribbean upbringing and Jamaican heritage are, absolutely, the driving forces behind my creating ACES. Many Caribbean, Black, and Brown families are unaware of the existence of private (independent) schools, which makes it impossible for them to access the incredible resources these elite schools offer. Growing up in my Jamaican household, we were often encouraged to read books. Education is incredibly important to Caribbean families. Personally, I was taught that it is the pathway to upward mobility. I take great pride in having established an organization that educates families about independent schools and guides them through the admission process, especially for Caribbean families who are unfamiliar with the American educational system. Caribbean children are intelligent, they belong in Independent Schools and have the right to access an elite education. |
| How does your work positively impact culture + community? |
| As a passionate educator and mother with over twenty years of experience, my work revolves around promoting awareness of private (independent) schools and helping families gain access to elite institutions. ACES has successfully educated and supported many families in gaining admission for their children to over 30 elite independent day and boarding schools. Additionally, ACES serves as a learning community for families to discuss all things related to education and access. |
| How should potential customers and persons interested in networking & partnerships contact you? |
| Persons can email me directly or complete the contact us form on the ACES website. |
| What message of hope or inspiration would you like to share with other women in our community who are also pursuing their dreams? |
| Believe in yourself and your dreams, especially, when the future seems uncertain. Let your unwavering trust in God illuminate your path in both good times and bad. Remember that your journey is uniquely yours. You are powerful, resilient, and capable of achieving abundant blessings. Your dreams are absolutely worth fighting for. Make sure to surround yourself with those who will uplift and inspire you. |
