Staff Report

DAVIE, Fla. – A popular author and educational maverick urged an audience of parents, educators and students to stop making excuses regarding minority male students’ poor academic performance. Steve Perry delivered a motivational keynote address at the Future Leaders Success Conference on Sept. 17 at the Omni Auditorium on the North Campus in Coconut Creek.

More than 200 people were in attendance at the event, which featured a number of breakout sessions on ways to improve academic performance, career options and transforming attitudes for minority male learners.

Dr. Avis Proctor, vice president of academic affairs, said the conference “is yet another example of our core belief that all of our students can achieve their full potential if they have the support of a college that is truly dedicated to their success.”

The conference culminated with Perry’s remarks, where he commended those parents and educators who took the time to attend the conference with their children, adding that their interest is an expression of hope. He urged the audience to realize that in the end it’s the children who lose.

“Policies won’t save us; parents can’t save us. It’s a combination of both,” said Perry. “We don’t have a choice. If we don’t [then] we are in trouble.”

While the Florida Department of Education data shows an increase in the high school graduation rate among males between 2010 and 2015, there is still some disparity between minority male students and white male students, as well as between males and females.