MOLDESTO —  The Modesto Junior College African American Education Conference will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mary Stuart Rogers Student Learning Center on West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto.  

The free conference is for students ages 13 – 21 and geared toward encouraging them to stay in school, plan for college and develop skills that will ensure student success.  Parents are encouraged to attend as well.  

The keynote speaker will be Ken Carter, coach of the Richmond High School basketball program from 1997 – 2002, who inspired the movie “Coach Carter.  The conference will include workshops on civil rights history, attending Modesto Junior College and leadership.  Entertainment will include Sister Khemya and The Local Express Tour.

Coach Carter made news when he locked out his undefeated Varsity basketball team in order to push them to improve their grades. Carter not only closed the Richmond High School gym, but he banned all basketball-related activities and was prepared to cancel the entire season program, because 15 of the 45 players were not living up to the classroom achievements they agreed to meet in contracts they signed earlier in the semester. Coach Carter is an advocate for Richmond’s youth and is active in his community, and recognizes the advantages inherent in a sound sports program. 

The African American Education Conference check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.  Although conference admission and parking are free, pre-registration is required in order to guarantee participants a complimentary continental breakfast and lunch.  For additional information or to register call (209) 575-6700 by the end of today.