Toledo Excel's 36th Annual Conference For Aspiring Minority Youth. Keynote Speaker and Guest Panelist Dr. Yusef Salaam. The goal of the conference is to promote the importance of higher education, civil/human
rights and social justice--matters of great significance to the target students and their success in future professional careers. The Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth is in its 36th year and is believed to be the
longest-running free conference of its kind in the country. The annual event brings notable speakers from across the nation to speak to Toledo area middle and high school students, their parents, community members, and local educators.

Past speakers include author and social activist Kevin Powell; Educator and Coach Herman Boone, who was portrayed by Denzel Washington, in Disney’s film Remember the Titans; Educator and literary award winning author Sharon Draper; SCLC’s Martin Luther King, III; South African (SABC) TV News Executive Phil Molefe; Author of A Chance in the World and Walgreens Vice President Steve Pemberton; author/activist/educator Michael Eric Dyson; Social Activist and BET News Contributor Jeff Johnson; and the late Attorney Johnny Cochran.