DURHAM, N.C. – Famed hip-hop record producer 9th Wonder will highlight an impressive lineup of guests and panelists at the 2026 Athletes Unite Conference at North Carolina Central University on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event, held at the NCCU Student Center, is open to all current and former athletes across North Carolina, and attendees can register at the site.
An NCCU alumnus, 9th Wonder will serve as keynote speaker. NCCU Deputy Chief of Staff Angelique D. Stallings will provide opening remarks and NCCU Athletic Director Dr. Louis "Skip" Perkins will give closing remarks.
More than 40 panelists will head sessions designed to help attendees prepare for life after sports. The diverse group of leaders include former professional athletes, technology leaders, attorneys, financial experts and investors.
"Bringing the Athletes Unite Conference to North Carolina has been transformational," said Classye James, the founder and president of Shakeout, Inc., which created Athletes Unite Conference. "This community has embraced our mission in a way that continues to inspire us. AUC26 is more than a conference - it's a catalyst for connection, career readiness, and empowerment for student‑athletes across the region."
Nearly 400 athletes are expected to participate in 23 sessions on topics such as leadership, brand building, mental health, career readiness and navigating opportunities in the AI era. Five NCCU student-athletes – Malcolm Reed, Laila Jackson, Kobe Narcisse, Corey Little and Alejandra Hidalgo – will serve as ambassadors while 30 volunteers from event sponsor Cisco will be onsite to assist.
At the conclusion of the conference, Dr. Perkins and James will present three $5,000 scholarships to deserving student-athletes.
The Athletes Unite Conference, which started in 2022, strives for student-athletes to excel on and off the field through self-empowerment, well-being and personal growth. NCCU will host the fifth annual event for the first time.
"This year also marks our largest iteration of the conference to date, a reflection of the growing momentum and collective belief in what we're building," James said. "We're proud to partner with NCCU and leaders who believe in creating real pathways for the next generation."
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
