NMECC 2026 Recap - The Moment We Made History

March 29-30, 2026 | Nevada State University | Las Vegas, NV.

This Was More Than a Conference—This Was History In The Making.

The Nevada Male Educators of Color Conference in Las Vegas brought together a powerful coalition of educators, leaders, and changemakers united around one shared mission—expanding the presence, impact, and leadership of men of color in education. From the moment participants walked into Nevada State University’s Rogers Student Center, it was clear this wasn’t just another professional development event—this was a space intentionally designed for connection, growth, and transformation.

The day opened with breakfast, networking, and registration before transitioning into a powerful Opening Circle rooted in NFBLME’s signature Rose & Concrete experience led by 2023 NFBLME Las Vegas Alum Christian Garcia and the EduPathWorks' "Breakfast Club" students at Cimarron-Memorial High School. The welcome set the tone with remarks from Dr. Bernnell Peltier-Glaze of Nevada State University, alongside words of encouragement from Clark County School District Superintendent Jhone Ebert, reminding us that being the only in the room doesn't have to be our kryptonite, it can be our superpower.

From there, the learning began in earnest with a series of morning Wellness Workshops that addressed some of the most pressing needs in schools today. In Creating a College-Going Culture, NFBLME 2022 Las Vegas Alum Herbie Walker, Director of School Counseling at Faith Lutheran, shared concrete strategies for building systems and environments that normalize postsecondary success for students of color. NFBLME 2021 Las Vegas Alum Dr. Joseph Simmons Jr. Ph.D, Special Education Teacher at Cactus Park, led Supporting Students with IEPs, equipping educators with actionable approaches to ensure students with diverse learning needs have access to rigorous, inclusive instruction.

In Supporting Multilingual Learners in the Clark County School District, NFBLME 2023 Las Vegas Alum Eric Casillas, Superintendent of CCSD, provided a systems-level perspective on ensuring English learners receive both access and opportunity, while Dr. Samuel Scavella, Assistant Superintendent at CCSD, guided participants through Culturally Responsive Restorative Practices and Positive Behavior Supports, highlighting how schools can build stronger, more inclusive cultures while reducing disciplinary disparities. At the same time, the EduPathWorks Leadership Circle and Brotherhood Summit, facilitated by EduPathWorks Site Coordinators and NFBLME Las Vegas Alumni Tehran Price (Valley High School), Christian Garcia Cimarron-Memorial High School) and Dillon Booker (Cheyenne High School), created a powerful space for students to engage in identity, leadership, and community-building work—reminding everyone that the pipeline starts early.

The conference then transitioned into one of its most anticipated moments—the Panel Discussion: The State of Nevada Education. This dynamic conversation featured Dr. Felix Simieou of Nevada State University, Tim Hughes of the Nevada State Board of Education and Executive Director of Teach For America Las Vegas, Ramona Esparza-Stoffregen representing NV ALAS and the CCSD Board, Tamara Shear, Executive Director of Opportunity 180, and Assembly member Selena Torres-Fossett, who also serves as Executive Director of the Charter School Association. Together, they offered candid insights into the current landscape of education in Nevada, addressing both the challenges and the opportunities ahead. The conversation pushed beyond surface-level dialogue, challenging attendees to think critically about policy, leadership, and the systems that shape student outcomes across the state.

Following a midday break and lunch, which included a welcome from Dr. Gwen Sharp, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, the conference shifted into equally powerful afternoon wellness workshops focused on personal, financial, and professional growth. In Financial Wellness for Educators of Color: From Survival to Ownership, 2022 NFBLME LV Alumni Kendrick Kumabe, CEO and Founder of KME Media Group, reframed how educators think about money, wealth, and long-term financial stability. 2021 NFBLME LV Alumni Dr. Melvin King, Co-Founder of Equity Access HR Solutions, led Ready When the Door Opens: Tools and Skills to Get Selected for the Next Role, helping participants understand how to position themselves strategically for leadership opportunities. In Unleash Your Legacy, Shawna Wells, CEO and Founder of 7Gen Legacy Group, challenged attendees to think beyond immediate impact and toward generational influence, while Christian Garcia, alongside student leaders from Cimarron Memorial High School, led Building Brotherhood: Student-Led Mentorship That Transforms Culture, demonstrating the power of student voice, mentorship, and community in shaping school environments. Rounding out the afternoon, Dr. Sebern Coleman, Director of Workforce Readiness at UNLV, facilitated “Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself”: Positioning for Leadership Beyond the Classroom, equipping educators with tools to expand their leadership identity and influence beyond their current roles and influence beyond their current roles.

The energy carried directly into the Community, Career, and Leadership Fair, where participants connected with universities, leadership programs, nonprofits, and community partners. This wasn’t passive networking—it was intentional alignment where doors opened. Conversations turned into opportunities, and opportunities turned into clear next steps for growth and advancement.

The day closed with reflection, purpose, and a renewed sense of direction during the Closing Circle, featuring powerful contributions from Kelvin Watson, Executive Director of the LV Clark County Library District and 2026 recipient of the Librarian of the Year Award by Library Journal, alongside Amaziah Caldwell, a senior at Cheyenne High School. Building on the energy of the moment, Amaziah shared his personal journey and the transformative impact of EduPathWorks—bringing the pipeline to life through his lived experience. The session concluded with a call to action that left attendees not just inspired—but activated, because this wasn’t “just a conference.” It was a space where educators were seen, valued, and invested in. It was a reminder that leadership pathways don’t have to take decades—they can be built with intention, support, and community. And most importantly, it was proof of what’s possible when the right people are in the right room, doing the right work together.

🌹 This is what it looks like when purpose meets community—and community becomes the movement.