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Student Voices: Emily E.

San Fernando High School graduate Emily shared how LAEP’s Community Schools team supported her, and her classmates, as they pursue college dreams.

Every school needs a partnership just like LA Education Partnership. They prioritize educational equity and facilitate access by providing families and students with opportunities for their education needs and concerns. My experience with having a college center in my school was very beneficial, since many of the students at my school are first-generation, just like me. We don’t have a great knowledge of academic opportunities out there for us, so having access to knowledgeable individuals who are there to help us out gives us an advantage in being able to succeed and having the possibility of graduating and being able to attend college/university.

I was able to acquire a scholarship for a UCLA summer program with the assistance of one of LAEP’s staff members, Kate, and it is just one prime example. At the outset of my journey in applying for the program, I had no idea where to begin or how to meet the requirements, but having someone assist me through these procedures was a huge assistance in doing everything right and, of course, being able to attend this program.

Kate also offered many various resources for us during class; she would visit our class and provide presentations about applying to UCs and other great universities that many of us most likely had in mind but did not know how to reach that goal of attending those schools.

I feel that many students’ concerns or questions about their future in school would go unanswered if people like Kate did not exist, therefore I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with this organization whose objective is to bring knowledge and possibilities to students and families.

LAEP’s community schools team weaves together the experience and resources of staff, students, parents, residents, and organizations to help transform schools into community resource hubs that address systemic inequities and enact liberatory practices. College and career readiness, like the support Emily describes, is one aspect of our community schools work. We are so grateful to work with incredible youth like Emily!

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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.