My son, Alex, and I were thrilled to meet Kennedy Beaver and her family at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law graduation. Kennedy earned a Master of Legal Studies. My wife, Tina, and I endowed Pepperdine Law to provide scholarships to underserved communities. Yesterday, 30% of the graduating class were minorities. Twelve students received scholarships between 30%-90%. Kennedy’s a shining example of what’s possible for young, smart and driven students who just need the means to access a good education. Kennedy grew up in Watts and in the 7th grade joined Operation Progress, which connects students of families living at or below the poverty line with scholarships, LAPD mentors and academic support. It’s funded in large part by the Caruso Family Foundation. From 7th grade through graduating from Pepperdine Law, she’s been supported by Caruso academic scholarships which have allowed her to work hard and be dedicated to her academic excellence. We congratulate Kennedy’s determination and drive. She’s a shining example of the best Los Angeles has to offer in our youth. A true super-star. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community comes together to invest in young lives. It’s been a true blessing to see how these programs transform lives, open doors — and Kennedy is living proof of the impact.