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Meet LAEP at KJLH Women’s Health Expo!

Get ready to empower yourself at the KJLH Radio Women’s Health Expo, celebrating its incredible 25th Silver Anniversary year with over 30,000 attendees! The LAEP Early Head Start team and our vital partners at the Women Infant Network (WIN) will be taking the stage to delve into the crucial topic of maternal health. We’re thrilled to be a part of this landmark event and share valuable insights with you.

Our very own Nancy Villarreal, Director of Early Childhood & Parent Engagement, and Merle Guzman, Prenatal Education Manager, are taking the Main Stage at 12:00PM to discuss “Maternal Wellness” – don’t miss it! Our Director of Marketing and Communications, LaCora Stephens, will be moderating, plus our valued partner at Westside Infant-Family Network (WIN) Los Angeles, Sherri Patton, Director of Community Programs, will be also be a panelist. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, May 31st! We wouldn’t want you to miss this important conversation.

Beyond the panel, we’ll also have an engaging information table brimming with resources, exciting giveaways, and friendly LAEP representatives eager to connect with you in person. Come say hello, learn more about our work, and grab some goodies! We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate women’s health together.

  • Register here.
  • Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 8:00am-5:00pm
  • Venue: Long Beach Convention Center
  • Address: 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, 90802
  • Questions? Contact LaCora Stephens, Director of Marketing & Communications at 213.622.5237, ext. 233 or email: lstephens@laep.org

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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.