About Our Co-Founders

Lori became pregnant with Anthony when she was only 19 years old, about to begin her junior year at St. Mary’s College. As a pregnant, unmarried teenager, she found herself alone and going through an experience that was extraordinarily different to any of her peers. She had limited resources and felt isolated. Shortly after giving birth, she moved back home to Los Angeles, where she knew she could raise Anthony in a supportive and welcoming community. After a year of working many odd jobs while trying to figure out her path forward, Lori picked her studies back up at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where she thrived: not only did she graduate with a bachelor's degree, but she continued to pursue higher education in LMU’s graduate school, where she earned a master's degree in counseling. 

Before he was a star football player, Anthony Barr was a kid growing up in Los Angeles, in the home of his mother and grandparents. While Lori was balancing two part-time jobs and staying up late studying for her college courses, Anthony was surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who cared for him. He was curious and loved playing and learning.

Lori reflects on how fortunate she was to have a mother who understood, as a pre-school teacher, the value of early childhood education. This is how Anthony started reading at the age of two. But even at an early age, there was a football player in Anthony. At the age of seven, Lori signed him up to play Pop Warner and they never looked back. Anthony was a natural on the field, and beyond the success he experienced, football also offered community for both him and Lori, where they felt welcomed and valued.

After experiencing first-hand the social and economic barriers that come with pursuing higher education as a single parent, Lori and Anthony co-founded Raise The Barr to provide holistic resources to families like their own. The community that the Barrs found in Lori’s parents was an essential part of their ultimate success, which is why community is such a key part of our work at RTB. 

Single parent students and their children bring resilience, determination, and unique perspectives to their communities and campuses. When given equitable access to opportunity and support, they thrive—and their success strengthens families, communities, and the broader economy.

Review our full 2024 Annual Report.

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