11/24/2025
11/24/2025
February 06, 2026 | 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Mary Stuart Rogers Building | MJC West Campus
Be inspired, be informed, be connected! For over 30 years, MJC has hosted the African American Education Conference (AAEC), a conference that aims to empower students in their journey toward higher education while honoring rich culture and history. Guests will hear from experienced and visionary keynote speaker, Dr. Keon Berry while also gaining valuable tools and resources to help you identify and achieve your educational goals.
We warmly invite both the campus community and the public to attend the AAEC as we come together to celebrate community! This free event is open to the public. Seating is limited. RSVP by tapping the button below and submitting the online form.
Questions? Contact the Rise Up Center at 209-575-6847
Register for the 2026 African American Education Conference
Dr. Keon N. Berry is an internationally recognized scholar-practitioner, award-winning educator, and transformational leader whose work bridges the worlds of education, human services, and social impact. A dynamic, evidence-informed thought leader, Dr. Berry has dedicated his life to expanding educational opportunity, elevating well-being, and championing justice for those who are too often overlooked. From classrooms in Atlanta, GA, to global dialogues in Istanbul, Turkey, his voice continues to shape the future of equitable education and innovative service delivery.
A native of Windsor, Connecticut, Dr. Berry is a distinguished alumnus and current faculty member at Morehouse College, while also teaching in the Georgia Department of Corrections. His credentials include a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Monmouth University, a Master’s of Science in Education in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Morehouse. Across his career—spanning higher education, early childhood systems, prison education, and the non-profit sector—he has led transformative initiatives that empower youth, families, and communities to thrive. His tenure as State Director of Parent Services at Quality Care for Children is a testament to his leadership, where he expanded and managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio, supervised diverse professional teams, and scaled high-quality programs that improved outcomes statewide.
Dr. Berry’s impact has been recognized at the highest levels. He is a White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence & Economic Opportunity Honoree, a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, a Forbes Under 30 Scholar, and a member of Atlanta’s esteemed Emerging 100. In 2024, he released his first children’s book, “Hello, My Name Is Doctor,” amplifying his advocacy for literacy, identity development, and dismantling the cradle-to-prison pipeline.
Guided by faith and a steadfast belief in human potential, Dr. Berry has now expanded his life’s work by founding Prestige Preparatory School, a K-8 public charter school in Georgia. Designed to serve rural communities and close long-standing opportunity gaps, Prestige is built on a high-quality mastery-based learning model through a historic partnership with the Khan Schools Network. Through this innovative approach, students engage in rigorous academics, service learning, and human-centered design thinking, preparing them to excel and serve their communities.
9:00 am - 1:30 pm
OPENING LIBATION CEREMONY
Eric Ivory | Umoja Elder
WELCOME
Dr. Lena Tran | Chancellor, Yosemite Community College District
Dr. Brian K. Sanders | President, Modesto Junior College
Wendy Byrd | President, NAACP Modesto
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Dr. Duana Demus Leslie | AAEC Event Chair and Master of Ceremonies | MJC Director of Choral and Vocal Activities
INSPIRATION
LIFT EVERY VOICE | MJC Concert Choir with audience participation
DISCUSSION: HOW TO BE UNSTOPPABLE - Enochs, Beyer and MJC Students
John and Dr. Cheryl Williams | Cameron Little and Rodney Oliney
LEGACY AWARD
Presented by Pamela Crittenden
GUEST SPEAKER
Dr. Keon N. Berry | Professor of Sociology, Morehouse College
LUNCH
Q&A: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Session AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Giveaways and History
DRUM CIRCLE AND CLOSING CEREMONY
Eric Ivory | Umoja Elder