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The Heartbeat of Equity: LAEP Unveils Historic Mission Video

At the Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP), our journey toward educational equity has always been fueled by the stories of the families, educators, and students we serve. For years, we have shared data and impact reports that highlight our progress across the Greater Los Angeles area, from South LA to Hawthorne.

However, we realized there was one thing missing: a way to truly show the heartbeat of our work in motion.

Honoring a Legacy of Leadership

This spring, as we reflect on the incredible contributions of women in education, we are honoring two visionary leaders who have shaped the landscape of Los Angeles schools:

  • Peggy Funkhouser: Our late co-founder, whose decades of commitment laid the foundation for the advocacy and systemic change we continue today.
  • Dr. Dawn A. Kurtz: Our current CEO, whose strategic vision drives our mission forward, ensuring every child in our community is supported from Diapers to Diplomas℠.

Their combined leadership represents more than just an era of growth—it represents a steadfast belief that every student deserves a school where they truly belong.

Watch Now: LAEP’s First-Ever Official Mission Video

Today, we are filling the gap between data and story by sharing a historic milestone: LAEP’s first-ever official mission video. In just a few minutes, you will see our mission in action. You will meet the parents in our Early Head Start programs, the teachers in our Ready2Teach initiatives, and the students who are the future of our city. This video is more than a film; it is a testament to the collective action required to build a more equitable future.

WATCH THE MISSION VIDEO HERE

Join the Movement for Educational Equity in Los Angeles

As a leading educational nonprofit in Los Angeles, LAEP remains dedicated to breaking down barriers and promoting agency for all. Whether you are a long-time supporter or a new visitor to our site, we invite you to stand with us as we continue the journey Peggy began and Dr. Kurtz leads today.

Stay Connected: Want to receive these updates directly in your inbox? Sign up for our Newsletter to stay informed on our latest projects, community events, and impact stories.

Read March newsletter here.

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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.