D'Artagnan is a UCLA graduate with a BA in the study of religion and also has a BS in liberal studies with an emphasis in business management from National University. Currently a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Education at UCLA, he established the Black Male Youth Academy (BMYA) at Morningside High School, a literacy development program that helps youth use research to create change in their communities. D'Artagnan is an US Navy Iraq War Veteran and served a two-year term as a member of the Board of Regents, University of California. He participated in the governance of the university and was an outspoken advocate for equity and inclusion, affordability and access, clean energy and environmental sustainability. He was a 2010 Education Pioneer Fellow and worked at the California Community Foundation (CCF) supporting their scholarships program area. In 2009, he founded the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) and currently serves as the Executive Director, advancing academic equity and food justice initiatives in underserved communities.
Impact
- Creating a local food system with community members and youth.
- Advancing healthy eating initiatives in underserved communities.
- Teaching youth to use research to advocate for themselves.
- Helping Black males use literacy to go to college.
- Providing scholarships for black males through a collaboration with the Perlman Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Awards
- SunLife Rising Star Award, 2011
- South Bay Business Environmental Coalition SEED Award, 2011
- Volunteer of the Year Award
