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Leadership

Leadership

Our Leaders of NLCP

CEO and President

Jemia Cunningham-Elder, CEO

Born and raised in Chicago, Ms. Cunningham-Elder became passionate about education during college when she was exposed to slave narratives and other influential texts such as the autobiographies of Frederick Douglas and Malcolm X. Learning about the power of education, especially in the Black community, inspired her to dedicate her career to making positive change through supporting the education of others. 

She began her time at NLCP as the Director of External Affairs and was appointed to the position of CEO in September 2022. She is a graduate of Lake Forest College and holds a master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development from Boston College and a certificate in Nonprofit Management.

Erin Simunovic, President

Ms. Simunovic grew up in central Illinois and was drawn to education while taking her first education course during college. She joined Teach for America directly after graduating and was inspired by the organization’s mission and the commitment of leaders and mentors in the Milwaukee TFA corps.

Her tenure at NLCP began in 2017 and she has served as both the Director of Academics and Chief of Staff, leading efforts to redesign NLCP’s curriculum and assessment practices, managing hiring, and supporting NLCP’s principals and leadership team. She was appointed as September 2022 recognition of her legacy of impact and leadership at NLCP. Ms. Simunovic is a graduate of Lake Forest College and holds a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Marquette University.

Executive Team

Marie Sainvilus-Miles
Chief of Staff / AD/ Interim Principal, Collins Campus

Our Principals

Principal Kyera Bradley, Christiana Campus

Kyera D. Bradley began her educational career over eight years ago at the Noble Network of Charter Schools (Johnson College Prep) as a 9th grade Biology instructor. There she earned numerous awards for student academic growth, breaking historic in interim assessment data as well as being published in The Atlantic as a thriving teacher in urban education.

Chicago native, Kyera attended Providence St. Mel High School then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Howard University. Because of her love for learning, she returned to Chicago and earned her Master of Arts in Education from the Relay Graduate School of Education (Founding Class). 

Deeply rooted in strong academic programming, it is her hope to provide rigorous instruction that forces scholars to be the drivers of their learning. Her vision is to create transformational impact through coaching leaders (in traditionally disenfranchised schools) to drive academic achievement for all scholars by leveraging efficacy, relationships, high expectations, instructional coaching, rigorous instruction, data systems, and shared accountability.

Being with North Lawndale College Prep for four years, Kyera is committed to ensuring that scholars either “find a way or make one”.


As a public charter school, NLCP is tuition-free – there is no admittance fee or entrance exam to enroll at our schools. We are open to all students regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status or disability status, and are an equal opportunity employer.