Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP), under the leadership of Dr. Dawn A. Kurtz, CEO, celebrated its 40th Anniversary! We envision a world where empowered learning communities foster access and liberation for all. For the past 40 years LAEP, we have been transforming education for the community, with the community, from diapers to diplomas. We look forward to the next 40 years responding to our community’s needs and transforming education in Los Angeles.
The 40th Anniversary Holiday Luncheon Celebration is a landmark event hosted by Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP), bringing together key figures from education, community leadership, philanthropy, and business across Los Angeles. This celebration marks four decades of LAEP’s commitment to empowering students and transforming schools in the region. Los Angeles’s dedication to educational equity and its ability to foster collaborative partnerships take center stage at this special anniversary event. LAEP is proud to celebrate the individuals and organizations who have been instrumental in their mission, honoring their contributions to the advancement of educational opportunities for all students.
Honors and awards were presented to recognize the dedication and impact of key individuals and organizations. The LAEP Legend Award was bestowed upon Peggy Funkhouser and David Abel, Co-Founders, and Rod Hamilton and Virgil Roberts, Founding Board Members, for their instrumental roles in establishing LAEP. The Stuart Foundation was honored with the Platinum Partner Award for their unwavering support. Long-standing employees were also celebrated, with Nancy Villarreal receiving the Sapphire Loyalty Award for 26 years of service and Paul Gavini receiving the Emerald Loyalty Award for 25 years of service. The Tenure Impact Award recognized the dedication of Dolores Marron (24 years), Meyli Martinez (23 years), and Ana Contreras (20 years) for their years of service to LAEP, respectively.
Held at Luminarias, the event brought together over 100 guests to celebrate LAEP’s four decades of impact and honor the dedication of its staff and supporters.
The event showcased LAEP’s rich history, featuring a timeline of milestones and a display of historical photographs, including images from some of LAEP’s very first STEAM classes and black and white photos of founding members. This poignant display served as a powerful reminder of LAEP’s commitment to community-centered education. A popular highlight was a photograph of a young staff member working with toddlers – a powerful reminder of LAEP’s dedication to early childhood education, as she continues to serve as Early Head Start staff 24 years later. A significant milestone, celebrated throughout the afternoon, was the 2019 award of a $10.2 million grant from the Department of Health & Human Services Office of Head Start, enabling LAEP to expand its Early Head Start services in Hawthorne and Inglewood.
LOCATION
Luminarias Restaurant
3500 W Ramona Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754
SCHEDULE
Monday, December 16, 2024
Cocktail Reception 12 – 1 p.m.
Holiday Luncheon 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
LaCora is a seasoned communications professional with a passion for using multimedia
storytelling to empower movements for social justice and equality. For over 13 years, she has
honed her skills as a versatile multimedia director, overseeing media operations across diverse
organizations, including the NAACP Beverly Hills-Hollywood Branch and The Shirley Chisholm
Education Foundation. Her deep understanding of the education and equity landscape fuels her
creative vision, allowing her to craft impactful narratives that resonate with audiences.
With strategic communication and collaboration, LaCora excels in developing and executing
compelling multimedia campaigns that not only raise awareness of critical issues but also
inspire action and drive meaningful change. Her proficiency in concept development, production
execution, and team leadership ensures projects are delivered with exceptional quality.
Furthermore, LaCora fosters strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders,
cultivating partnerships that maximize campaign reach and impact.
LaCora's educational foundation began with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from
Florida A&M University. She then pursued a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to
Speakers of Other Languages) from Alliant University of San Diego. This passion for
storytelling, fueled by her background in education, translates to her belief in the power of
shared narratives. Her work in this area was recognized through her selection as a Women in
Film Mentee and film director for Viola Davis’ sponsored film showcase, Diversity in Cannes.
Now, LaCora leverages her love of storytelling and commitment to educational equity in her role
leading marketing and communications for Los Angeles Education Partnership, while also
serving on the board of the Pasadena African American Film Foundation.
Dr. Eric Barela has worked as a measurement & evaluation professional for over 2 decades, helping organizations to better understand and act on their social impact. He’s currently a Senior Consultant with Raya Cooper Impact Consulting and previously worked at Salesforce, where he led efforts to measure the social impact of the company’s work with nonprofits and educational institutions across the globe. He began his career working with the Los Angeles Unified School District and with the nonprofit, Partners in School Innovation. Eric previously served on the Board of the American Evaluation Association and currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the American Journal of Evaluation.
Eric grew up in East LA and was educated in the Montebello Unified School District. He holds a Ph.D. in education from UCLA. He loves a good road trip, with his husband serving as trusty navigator.