21st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Celebrations

Signature sponsor of the Y’s Annual MLK Inspirational Celebrations is Delta Air Lines. Festivities kick off with a Teen Town Hall on Thursday, January 16th at Boyd H. Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes and continue with an Inspirational Breakfast and Luncheon on Friday, January 17th. Presented by JM Family Enterprises, the breakfast is set for 7:30 a.m. at First Baptist, 301 East Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. The Luncheon, presented by Amazon, begins at 11:45 a.m. at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail in Miami. Proceeds from both support future change makers through the Y’s “I Have a Dream” Youth Scholarship Fund, which empowers youth from Preschool to College to reach their full potential. Emmy-Award Winning WPLG Local 10 News Anchor Calvin Hughes is master of ceremonies for both events.

The keynote speaker for both the breakfast and luncheon is Judge Glenda Hatchett, a distinguished former juvenile judge, senior executive leadership attorney, award-winning TV show host, author and community advocate. Much of her work has been as a leading advocate for ethics, fair governance, equity, multicultural education and diversity. She has returned to TV with a new streaming television court series, The Verdict. Past keynote speakers include Martin Luther King, III; Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and Stanford University Professor; Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute Director Dr. Clayborne Carson; Donzaleigh Abernathy, daughter of two co-founders of the American Civil Rights Movement; and Ndaba Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela and Co-Founder/Chairman of Africa Rising Foundation.

The celebrations culminate on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 20th, with a Day of Service when the Y organizes community projects from 8:30 to noon at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, 1409 Northwest 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312 and 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Village of Allapattah YMCA, 2370 Northwest 17th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33142.

“The Y is proud to continue this tradition of bringing our community together to honor Dr. King’s memory and legacy in a meaningful and impactful way,” said YMCA of South Florida CEO Sheryl A. Woods. “These celebrations are a testament to our commitment to community celebration and service to others.”

Every year, the Y’s MLK Inspirational Breakfast and Luncheon unites business, civic and community leaders, drawing an audience of more than 1,400 to honor Dr. King and support the YMCA of South Florida’s “I Have a Dream” Youth Scholarship Fund. The Y offers a variety of youth initiatives which include preschool and after school programs, employment opportunities, teen groups and college tours and readiness.

During the breakfast and luncheon, the YMCA of South Florida will present the Dave W. Cash Youth Leadership Award to a student in Broward County and a student in Miami-Dade County who has embodied the ideals of Dr. King in advocating for social change in the community. Both award recipients receive a $2,000 college scholarship supporting their continued education.

Additionally, the Spirit of Community Award winners will be recognized during the breakfast and luncheon. This award honors a community advocate in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties who exemplify the social activism, advocacy, nonviolence, civic engagement and diversity ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s award recipient in Broward County is Eugene K. Pettis, Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm in Fort Lauderdale and in Miami-Dade County the recipient is Florida Blue. Among the past winners are Juliet Roulhac, Director of Corporate Philanthropy and Community Engagement at Florida Power & Light Company; Trail Blazers of Broward County; Children’s Trust; Derek T. Davis; Valencia Gunder; the Mizell Family; the Honorable Darrin P. Gayles; Dr. Robert B. Hayling; Willie E. Gary; Officer Lerue Sarvis; and Jason Taylor.

Limited sponsorships are available for the breakfast and luncheon. Tickets are $175 per person. For additional information on the Y’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Celebrations, including tickets and sponsorships, visit: https://ymcasouthflorida.org/standforsomething or contact Aimee Fretwell at: Afretwell@YMCASouthFlorida.org - Or: (954) 334-9622. Extension#: 1045.

About the YMCA of South Florida
For more than a century, the YMCA has been woven into the fabric of the South Florida community. As a leading NonProfit, the Y is committed to strengthening community through more than 200 programs serving everyone from six months old to 100 years young. Our Family Centers and programs are inclusive, vibrant hubs of community life, offering a diverse array of classes, cutting-edge fitness facilities, life-saving aquatics, exciting community events, unforgettable camps, supportive after school care, and holistic health and wellness programming. At the Y, there’s something for everyone. Join the movement by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or https://YMCASouthFlorida.org.

Credit: https://ymcasouthflorida.org/events/martin-luther-king-jr-inspirational-celebrations/