No-Cost Early Head Start. Enroll Now

High School Students Get Hands-On Experience in the Legal Field

Thanks to generous partnerships and supports, LAEP was again this year able to support four high school students from partner community schools with hands-on career learning via summer internships through the Southern California Association of Law Libraries.

Three high school students who participated in law library internships during summer 2023

Evelyn had career talks with different staff, asking about their journey and getting advice on how to make connections and network. She participated in conservatorship clinics and saw what people did at the reference checks. She also enjoyed taking on-demand classes that helped her learn about other areas of law.

For Yudibbet, this internship was a life-changing experience. Though she felt scared at first, she found the staff she worked with to be welcoming and knowledgeable. The experience helped Yudibbet learn new things and meet new people, and she walked away feeling confident that she will be able to adapt to new jobs.

As a result of her internship, Carol saw new potential career paths, including a new interest in working as a law librarian. She also strengthened her resume with this work experience. She improved her ability to accept change and looks forward to using that skill in future work.

This internship gave Alejandra the opportunity to see what a job was like and helped her reflect on what she liked to do. She strengthened her organizational skills, which she feels she can carry with her to future opportunities, and was able to learn a lot about different jobs, office environments, and building connections.

Thank you to the Southern California Association of Law Libraries and LAEP Resource Council Member Diana Jaque for making this opportunity possible!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Support the holistic, diapers-to-diplomas approach to liberatory education.

LaCora Stephens

Marketing and Communications

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.

Eric Barela, Ph.D.

Senior Consultant, Raya Cooper Impact Consulting

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.