31st Annual Prayer Breakfast
Due to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus pandemic, the 31st Annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast was hosted virtually for the safety of our neighbors. This event was commemorated with a combination of live-streamed and pre-recorded video that was available for the entire Central Florida community to watch live and on-demand starting January 19. Our keynote speaker was Dr. Vikki Johnson, granddaughter of Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, chaplain, spiritual wellness practitioner, best-selling author of 12 books. A graduate of Howard University and former championship athlete, Dr. Johnson now has almost 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She’s an Emmy Award-winning media professional who worked at BET Networks for more than 18 years. Currently, she works in the Mayor’s Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment (OCTFME) for the District of Columbia on the film team and assists with other special projects Our video also featured messages from community leaders including Arthur Kennedy family members, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and more.
30th Annual Prayer Breakfast
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 30th Annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast was hosted virtually for the safety of our neighbors. This event was commemorated with a pre-recorded video that was available for the entire Central Florida community to watch on-demand starting January 18. Our keynote speaker was Dr. Collin Outerbridge, lead pastor of Nona Church. After being called to ministry, Collin received his MA from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and holds his Doctorate of Ministry with a dissertation focus on Generation Z and the future church. He sits on the board of the Lake Nona YMCA and is a requested communicator locally and nationally. Our video also featured messages from community leaders including Arthur Kennedy family members, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, and more.
29th Annual Prayer Breakfast
The Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast was opened by Pete Krzyzak, Chair of the YMCA Metropolitan Board of Directors. Additional speakers included Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer, Alger Studstill Jr., President of Southwest Orlando Jaycees, and keynote speaker David L. Brewer III, President & CEO of The Brewer Leadership Group, LLC. Widely known for his distinguished naval career and as superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, Vice Admiral David L. Brewer III is an advocate for education and empowerment of African Americans across the United States. Guests enjoyed another year of musical entertainment from Dove Award-winning artist LaRue & Friends, and America’s Got Talent finalist Victoria Cooksey, who sang the National Anthem.
28th Annual Prayer Breakfast
The Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast featured remarks from Dan Wilcox, President & CEO of the YMCA of Central Florida, Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer, who oversees the City of Orlando’s Martin Luther King Commission, Gary Thomas, Plant Director of six-year presenting sponsor PepsiCo Inc., and keynote speaker Jerry Demings, Orange County Mayor, and the county’s first African American mayor. Demings is also a long-time advocate of the Y through the YMCA Teen Achievers program, is a former YMCA Metro Board Member, and a trustee. This year’s attendees also enjoyed uplifting musical entertainment from Dove Award-winning artist LaRue & Friends, violinist Leah Flynn, and Moriah Johnson, great-granddaughter of Pappy Kennedy, who sang the National Anthem. Throughout the breakfast, local pastors led the group in prayers for our community.