Supporter Spotlight: Idol Family Foundation

The Idol Family Foundation, which focuses on building an equitable future for all individuals through quality education and healthcare, has been a valued supporter of Harlem Academy for more than a decade. Alexandra Idol, the foundation’s co-president, first connected with the school in 2011 through Saturday Club, a group of volunteers who led extracurricular activities for students on the weekend. The experience made a lasting impression. “I was working uptown at Morgan Stanley and looking for a way to engage with the community,” says Alexandra. “I can’t put into words the feeling you have when you’re with these incredible students. That’s when I fell in love with the school.”

Over the past decade, Alexandra has continued to volunteer, holding practice interviews with middle schoolers preparing for secondary school applications and serving on our board’s events committee. In 2015, she became a founding member of Harlem Academy’s junior board.

Alexandra’s sister, Christina Idol Davie, recently joined her as co-president of the Idol Family Foundation and looks forward to deepening her connection to the school. Christina remembers attending Saturday Club with Alexandra several years ago. “It was special spending time with the students,” says Christina. “They are so smart and accomplished. I’m excited to get more involved with the school, work with the students again, and see what their future holds. I have big shoes to fill stepping into the family foundation, and I’m hoping to take our partnership with Harlem Academy to the next level.”

SHARED VALUES, STRONG PARTNERSHIP

Both Alexandra and Christina see their foundation’s commitment to the school as more than financial support – it’s a partnership built on shared values. As the Idol Family Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary, the principles and ideals that shaped its creation are stronger than ever and deeply aligned with Harlem Academy’s mission. “Growing up, the importance of education, especially at a young age, was always at the forefront,” says Christina. “That came from our parents. It’s no surprise that our family supports Harlem Academy because it’s the bedrock of what we care about. The school speaks to the values of our family.”

The Idol Family Foundation has supported the school’s annual fund since 2013. Last year, the foundation made a generous commitment to Harlem Academy’s endowment to ensure that generations of students receive the transformational education and opportunities they deserve. “We have a really strong collaborative partnership and look to the school for guidance on where the needs are. A lot of our funding has been to grow the school, increase the number of students served, and hire the best teachers and staff,” explains Alexandra.

“The endowment will secure longer-term sustainability for Harlem Academy,” she adds. “That’s so important because this school is giving students the educational and character skills that will help them succeed in life.”