After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles is a leading California provider of programs for middle school students. Recognized as a “model” program by the California Department of Education, ASAS-LA has been a part of California’s Regional Learning Center Initiative, and a member of the California Statewide System of Field Support.

Our program has been recognized with several prestigious accolades in our field, including designating as a Regional Learning Center by the California Department of Education (CDE); recognition as a model program by both the California Statewide System of Field Support (a collaborative effort of after-school professionals supported by CDE) and the Center for Collaborative Solutions; and selected as one of 11 programs in California to participate in a multi-year Nutrition Education Leadership Learning Community Initiative. Through each program, we train other professionals in our field and share best practices throughout the state and nationally.

  LOS ANGELES - Sabrina Kay started making media headlines over ten years ago, when she was the President and CEO of the first company she founded, California Design College. Featured in the LA Times and Fortune Magazine, among many others, the dynamic entrepreneur who has successfully established several businesses, is on the cusp of receiving her Doctorate degree from the prestigious Wharton School of Business and Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. The business leader, philanthropist, and single mother continues her venture-driven lineage, and despite her success, maintains her devotion to charitable causes.

“This is a country that has given me so much opportunity…educational opportunities are available to everyone in America. That’s what’s unique about this country. I’d love to see everyone have the opportunity to get a world-class college education,” says Sabrina.

Sabrina came to the United States with her family from their native Korea when she was 19 years old. Unable to speak a word of English, she was able to master the language in a few short years, saying in recollection: “I stayed focused on learning. I automatically fell in love with the American educational system and all that it offered.”

Sabrina comes from a diverse and successful business and education background herself, founding the California Design College in 1991. After establishing it as the nation’s leading institution teaching computer-aided fashion design, she sold it to Education Management Corporation in 2003, where the college eventually became a part of the well-known The Art Institute system.

As the founder of various entrepreneurial businesses, which include: Premier Business Bank; Fremont Private Investments; Fashion Umbrella LLC; and LAdesigns.org, Sabrina been at the forefront of educating and empowering others to foster success with integrity and achieve their full potential.

Today, as Chairman and CEO of Southern California’s Fremont College, Sabrina brings an expansive vision to the field of higher education and understands the difference education can make in the lives of Fremont College’s students. Sabrina has been at the forefront of educating and empowering her students to foster success with integrity and achieve their full potential.

The College offers accredited associate-level degrees in focusing on Business, Legal Studies, and Technology. Fremont’s Paralegal studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.

“I try to give people options. Life moves fast. There are students want to grow fast and want to start working, without getting involved with athletics, fraternities, sororities, or college parties. There are students that want professional learning at the speed of life. That’s what Fremont offers,” says Sabrina. Sabrina received her MBA from the University of Southern California, and Master of Science in Education at the University of Pennsylvania, both with honors, and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

She will complete her doctorate degree next spring and is currently working on her dissertation, Student Graduation Studies in Online Education. The working mother, who has maintained her residence in Los Angeles during the pursuit of her doctoral degree, has flown to and from Wharton’s Philadelphia campus once a month for the past three years in order to attend lectures and complete the coursework.

“It has certainly been a large commitment,” she says, “but creating a world-class ubiquitous online education is something I am committed to do.”

An innately driven individual, Sabrina attributes her daughter, Lina, as a core inspiration in her drive to succeed, accomplish, and achieve. “I had my daughter when I was in college. As any mother, my daughter has been a huge factor in my continued education and desire to provide as a businesswoman. I also pride myself in instilling the importance of education in her and the importance of giving back to the community,” Sabrina offers.

A devoted philanthropist, she serves on the boards of several eminent organizations. One of her favorites is After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles (ASAS-LA), where she serves as Chairman of the Board. Founded by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sabrina has been an active proponent of ASAS-LA since the organization’s inception in 2002.

“It is the perfect fit for me…I believe in education and I believe in the future of Los Angeles-- a city that has given me so much opportunity as a businessperson, and as woman,” she says.

“My family came to the United States with very little. The kids that this program serves are from extremely disadvantaged areas of Los Angeles. I ultimately want to give them hope for a better life. For me, a better life was achieved by education, focus, and hard work.”

Serving over 3,000 students at 15 middle schools located in at-risk communities throughout LA County, the organization is a leading middle and high school after-school program provider.

ASAS-LA’s programs educate, enlighten and inspire thousands of middle school-aged youth by providing dynamic and exciting opportunities for success, while cultivating self-esteem, leadership and respect to help build healthier communities.

“The middle school years are a very challenging time,” says Sabrina. “These programs give kids within inner-city communities something to do after the school day is complete, helping to reducing drug use, crime and violence. By working towards a better future for them, we cultivate a better future for the city of Los Angeles. I want the students [we] serve to thrive!” exclaims Sabrina.

With Sabrina’s work ethic and commitment, the students certainly have an incredible role model to follow.

Our program has been recognized with several prestigious accolades in our field, including designating as a Regional Learning Center by the California Department of Education (CDE); recognition as a "model program" by both the California Statewide System of Field Support (a collaborative effort of after-school professionals supported by CDE)and the Center for Collaborative Solutions; and selected as one of 11 programs in California to participate in a multi-year Nutrition Education Leadership Learning Community Initiative. Through each program, we train other professionals in our field and share "best practices" throughout the state and nationally.

After-School All-Stars Student wins music camp scholarship –Bret Harte Middle School student Jesus Barajas, age 13, was awarded a $4,200 scholarship from Start Something, a free nationwide character education, volunteer service and career exploration program created by Target and the Tiger Woods Foundation. After-School All-Stars (AAS-LA) incorporated the Start Something curriculum in its after school programs throughout the city of Los Angeles.
To earn this scholarship, Jesus completed several Start Something activities designed to help him think about his goals, focus on his interests and develop an action plan linked to his ideas. An aspiring musician, Jesus has thrived from his participation in Start Something, overcoming his shyness and learning how to express himself by helping others. Jesus, as well as many other students took part in a recent Charity All-Star Bowing Classic organized by After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. His interactions with seven students from New Orleans who were displaced by the storm also encouraged him to open up and interact with his peers.
“Jesus was moved and inspired when he met the students from New Orleans,” said Julia Gabor, AAS group leader. “He was enthusiastic and filled with positive energy. I was impressed with the ease he had with the other students.”
After completing his action plan, Jesus qualified to win a Start Something scholarship, which range from $100 to $5,000, to continue pursuing any positive dream or goal. He attended the Village Performing Arts Camp in England this summer.
Jesus is among 5 students that were awarded scholarship grants this year from the After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles program. The other students are following their dreams/goals in subjects such as football camps, clarinet lessons, and martial arts camps and schools.

Our program has been recognized with several prestigious accolades in our field, In 2006, ASAS-LA was selected by the Center for Collaborative Solutions to participate in the Nutrition Education Leadership Learning Committee (NELLC); a three year health initiative aimed to improve the health and well-being of California’s children. As one of 11 after school programs selected, ASAS-LA will share successful strategies and develop new approaches in health related areas and function as a learning hub for the region.