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The Charles V. Bush Library: A Lasting Legacy of Learning and Diversity

On Wednesday, February 24, 2016, Carden Conejo School proudly dedicated the Charles V. Bush Library, a vibrant and inspiring space made possible through the generosity of the Charles V. Bush Foundation and the Carden Conejo Parents’ Association.

Originally established during Black History Month, the library reflects the school’s enduring commitment to diversity, cultural appreciation, and the transformative power of education. Now housed at our beautiful new campus in Thousand Oaks, the reimagined Charles V. Bush Library serves as a stunning centerpiece of student life. With its expansive layout, inviting design, and extensive collection, the space encourages a love of reading and fosters curiosity, imagination, and understanding.

The library honors the legacy of Charles V. Bush, a trailblazing American whose life exemplified courage, excellence, and service. In 1954—the same year the U.S. Supreme Court desegregated public schools—Bush became the first African American to serve as a Supreme Court page, appointed by Chief Justice Earl Warren. He went on to become the first Black graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1963, and served with distinction as an intelligence officer, earning the Bronze Star Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and two Air Force Commendation Medals.

Bush later earned advanced degrees from Georgetown University (M.A. in International Relations) and Harvard University (M.B.A.) and became a respected business leader and advisor. In his later years, he served as a diversity consultant to the U.S. Air Force Academy and coined the powerful phrase, “Diversity is a Leadership Issue.”

A resident of the Conejo Valley for more than thirty years, Charles Bush and his wife of nearly five decades, Tina, raised their three children in Calabasas. Their daughter, Bettina Bush, was a dedicated member of the Carden Conejo community during the years her two children attended the school. Though they have since moved on in their educational journeys, the connection between the Bush family and Carden Conejo remains deeply meaningful.

The Charles V. Bush Library continues to stand as a tribute to a remarkable life and as a vibrant space where students are inspired to read, reflect, and lead with empathy and purpose.