ALEC GLASSER
FOUNDER/OWNER
THE DRAKE
WHY: Founded The Drake, a restaurant and live jazz lounge in Laguna Beach named after his time as an elevator operator and bellman at the Drake Hotel in the 1960s.
IN THE NEWS: Donated “one of the largest gifts in UCI history,” which propelled UCI past a $2B fundraising goal months ahead of schedule. The undisclosed gift ensured the long-term sustainability of the Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change. In 2024, donated $1.5M to UCI through his restaurant’s nonprofit, The Drake Gives.
NOTABLE: Last year, 10 inaugural “Glasser scholars” from UCI each received $10K scholarships through his $1.5M donation to the music center. Attended Jamaica High School in the south side of Queens, where he discovered his love for music, and became involved with the jazz band after exploring different extracurriculars. Learned to play saxophone, clarinet and the flute. In 2021, founded The Drake Gives nonprofit through a partnership with Save the Music Foundation to provide funding for public school music education in underserved school, raising $300K in last three years. Met boxing legend Muhammad Ali, a frequent guest at the Drake Hotel, during his teen years.
QUOTABLE: “Alec is a very successful businessperson. He’s not only passionate about music and about what the science of music is revealing, but he’s also focused on making sure that his gift is used as efficiently as possible.” — Richard Matthew, director of UC Irvine’s Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change
