View the 2023 Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Breakfast Program
Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Orlando’s first African American City Council Member
Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy took the oath of office in 1973 and serving two terms until 1980. Pappy Kennedy was an advocate of higher education. He served as the organizer of the Orlando Negro Chamber of Commerce, President of the Jones High School Parent-Teacher Association, and was instrumental in the organization of the Orange County Parent-Teacher Council. With the goal of improving his community, he worked with many organizations including Meals on Wheels, the United Negro College Fund, and the NAACP. Although Pappy Kennedy passed away in 2000, his legacy lives on in our Central Florida community and is celebrated each year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
DR. VIKKI JOHNSON KEYNOTE SPEAKER
“Don’t just leave a legacy, live your legacy!”
Dr. Vikki Johnson, a granddaughter of Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, is a transformational speaker, chaplain, spiritual wellness practitioner, best-selling author of 12 books, and the founder of Soul Wealth LLC. Her most recent book, Soul Wealth: Finding Vision, Compassion, Authenticity, Abundance and Legacy in the Midst of Chaos, was released in August 2019. Dr. Johnson supports women leaders via her Soul Wealth Academy, where she works to guide women as they grow their own businesses or within their careers and create the lifestyle they truly desire. Her passion is to strengthen relationships among women by sharing life strategies for next-level results. Dr. Johnson mentors women to break up with the status quo in their lives; she emphasizes being great in the mirror first, then amazing in the marketplace. She’s a seasoned veteran in the areas of strategic partnerships, community advocacy, and corporate social responsibility.
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. Her daily podcast “The Soul Wealth Radio Show” consists of Dr. Johnson having conversations that nurture you spiritually and emotionally. Dr. Johnson is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she serves as Chaplain for her local chapter. She’s also involved with the National Association of Black Female Executives In Music & Entertainment as well as the Women Speakers Association.
Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Family
Southwest Orlando Jaycees
City of Orlando’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commission
Scholarship Information
Scholarships are awarded on behalf of the YMCA of Central Florida and the Southwest Orlando Jaycees. Recipients must be available for award presentation.
The scholarships are designed to assist a minority high school senior who’s planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution in the Fall of 2022, but may lack the finances to cover all of the cost associated with attendance and/or books. Applicants must be in good academic standing, demonstrate strong leadership skills, and have some involvement with community service initiatives.
About the Scholarship
These scholarships sponsored by generous community donors are designed to assist minority high school seniors who are academically motivated and plan to go onto an accredited post-secondary institution of their choice.
Application Deadline
Applications are closed. Scholarship winners will be announced on January 17, 2022.
Virtual Prayer Wall
Be part of a community in prayer no matter where you are!
The YMCA movement was founded by people who came together to pray for their co-workers and community. That tradition still lasts today at the YMCA of Central Florida. We invite you to share your prayer request with us and also to pray for those who have asked us to keep them in our prayers as well.
Impacting Communities
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to working side-by-side with our neighbors for more than 175 years.
Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission
The mission for the Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is to strengthen our community by promoting Dr. King’s legacy of service, equality, justice, peace, respect and inclusion for all.
For more than three decades, the MLK Commission has joined with corporate and community partners to plan and promote a variety of programs and events that celebrate his life and legacy. Visit their website to view a calendar of events hosted in the City of Orlando to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.