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PRESS RELEASE: Los Angeles Education Partnership Named Among Outstanding Large Nonprofit Nominees for National Philanthropy Day 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AFP Greater Los Angeles Chapter recognition celebrates LAEP’s commitment to educational equity and lasting community impact

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — August 17, 2026 — Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP) is honored to be recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Greater Los Angeles Chapter (AFP-GLAC) as a 2026 National Philanthropy Day nominee in the Outstanding Large Nonprofit (Over $5M) category.

The annual recognition celebrates individuals and organizations whose leadership, generosity, and commitment are making a meaningful difference throughout the Los Angeles community. LAEP was nominated alongside Ednovate, Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI), Shoes That Fit, and Downtown Women’s Center.

“Being recognized among organizations doing such meaningful work across Los Angeles is an incredible honor,” said Dr. Dawn A. Kurtz, Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles Education Partnership. “This nomination reflects the dedication of our staff, partners, supporters, and communities who share our commitment to advancing educational equity and creating opportunities for children and families to thrive.”

For more than four decades, LAEP has worked alongside students, families, educators, schools, and community partners to strengthen learning communities and expand opportunities for children and families throughout Los Angeles.

LAEP congratulates all of the 2026 National Philanthropy Day nominees and celebrates their collective contributions to strengthening communities across the region.

Media Contact: LaCora Stephens, lstephens@laep.org, (213) 622-5237 ext. 233

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About Los Angeles Education Partnership

Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing educational equity and creating opportunities for children and families throughout Los Angeles. Working in partnership with schools, families, educators, and communities, LAEP supports learners throughout their educational journey—from diapers to diplomas℠.

About AFP Greater Los Angeles

Association of Fundraising Professionals – Greater Los Angeles Chapter (AFP-GLAC) is a local network of fundraising professionals covering all facets of nonprofit development. AFP-GLAC’s mission is to empower and uplift our development colleagues and the nonprofit organizations they serve through education and networking. We provide a sense of community and support for our colleagues throughout the greater Los Angeles area through inclusive and diverse programming.

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Melissa Peña

Chief Program Officer

Melissa Peña serves as the Chief Program Officer at the Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP), bringing more than two decades of experience advancing educational equity, youth development, and community-centered systems change. A mission-driven and strategic leader, she has dedicated her career to eliminating barriers to learning and seeking equitable outcomes for historically underserved youth. Prior to joining LAEP, Melissa spent over 14 years at Green Dot Public Schools where she launched and scaled high-impact initiatives that reduced chronic absenteeism by 27%, expanded access to wellness services, and built network-wide support systems for more than 600 homeless and foster youth across 18 schools. Her leadership is rooted in both entrepreneurial vision and disciplined execution—designing programs, teams, and infrastructure that strengthen outcomes for students while supporting the adults who serve them. 

Melissa’s commitment to equity has shaped her work across roles in education, youth development, and human services, including senior leadership positions at The Door in New York City and national diversity recruitment efforts at Teach For America. She began her career as a fourth-grade teacher in Newark, New Jersey, a formative experience that continues to ground her belief that the key to ensuring every young person meets their full potential lies in the power of family–school–community partnerships. At LAEP, Melissa leads program strategy with empathy, clarity, and a deep belief that children thrive when systems work together from “diapers to diplomas.” She holds a Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara. Outside of work, she enjoys researching her family history, exploring nature, and family movie nights with her husband and two children. 

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.