Our Mission
To bridge the gap of educational inequity in LA and Orange Counties by supporting the students who need it most. Not only is there an increasingly widening gap in educational opportunities and outcomes in LA and Orange Counties, there is also a significant gap in scholarship funding available for high potential students who don’t score well using traditional metrics like GPA and standardized test scores. AFF aims to close this gap by supporting those who may not have the highest GPA or SAT scores, but display strong morals, grit and determination in the face of adversity. Lastly, we aim to honor Alexx’s memory by giving back to his community.
Our Vision
A LA County where students from low-income communities have the same educational opportunities and outcomes as their counterparts from LA’s affluent communities.
Alexx Flores Opportunity Scholarship
This scholarship of at least $1,500 is meant to aid high school students graduating from a Los Angeles or Orange County high school or transferring from a Los Angeles or Orange County community college in their pursuit of higher education. There is no specific degree or discipline required for application. Scholarships will be awarded based on demonstrated financial need, grit, perseverance and outstanding character. Click the link below to find out more!
A note on grit from Angela Duckworth
Angela Duckworth is the founder and CEO of Character Lab, a nonprofit whose mission is to advance scientific insights that help children thrive. She is also a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and in 2013 was named a MacArthur Fellow.
How are we Different?
Our approach to student evaluation comes from the belief that traditional metrics, such as GPA and standardized test scores, are significantly flawed methods for evaluating a student’s true potential. At best, these metrics are an inadequate measurement of a student’s performance and can lead to both grade inflation and a tendency for students to prefer less challenging courses.
At its worst, using GPA as the primary academic success metric disproportionately affects students from lower socioeconomic communities as outlined in a report titled, “The GPA Gap Has Widened,” by American University Professor, Seth Gershensen. His research details the effects of grade inflation in U.S. colleges and universities as significantly more prevalent in universities attended by more affluent students than those attended by less affluent students. In other words, it has become easier to get a good grade at richer schools than it has at poorer schools.
Our scholarship has no GPA or test score requirement. Instead, we try to glean the qualities that we view as instrumental in a successful, well-rounded individual: determination, perseverance, grit and a positive attitude.
Los Angeles at a Glance
61%
People from low-income communities in Los Angeles County make on average nearly 61% less than those from wealthy communities with the same level of education.
54%
Students from wealthy communities are on average almost 54% more likely to graduate from college and more than 43% more likely to graduate from high school than students from low-income communities.
4x
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the median household income is more than 4x higher in Los Angeles’s richest zip codes than in its poorest.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Census American Community Survey; LA Times; U.S. News
Who was Alejandro “Alexx” Flores?
Alexx was a loving son, brother, partner and friend who sadly passed in 2020 from a tragic accident at the age of 23.
Alexx was generous, hardworking and kind. Although he hadn’t yet started a family of his own, he showered his nieces and nephews with love and affection. He was born in the High Desert, but spent most of his time in Los Angeles County. He was fortunate to have the support of a caring partner and wonderful friend group.
By trade, he was an electrical technician. Though he never attended college, he excelled in his role as an automation controls tech for a Los Angeles-based engineering firm. He had an incredible work ethic and always pushed himself to learn and grow. His curiosity and optimism guided his personal and professional goals.
Outside of work, Alexx was a gifted musician, natural athlete and avid hiker. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was a bright light for everyone who knew him.