FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2022
ORLANDO, Fla. – The YMCA of Central Florida, Southwest Orlando Jaycees and City of Orlando Martin Luther King Jr. Commission hosted the 31st Annual Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy breakfast on Monday, January 17, commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy, Orlando's first African American City Council Member.
To ensure the safety and health of all this year's event was celebrated virtually, allowing all in our community to join together online in prayer and in recognition of the life and legacies of Arthur Pappy Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This year's featured speaker was Dr. Vikki Kennedy Johnson, chaplain, spiritual wellness practitioner, best-selling author, and the granddaughter of Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy, a local civil rights pioneer who made history in 1972 when he was elected as the first African American to serve on the Orlando City Council.
Kevin Bolding, YMCA of Central Florida's first African American President & CEO, also shared words of encouragement to build a stronger community. "Today is our turn. Let's honor the trailblazers who came before us by writing a bright, new chapter for our community and the Y," said Bolding.
The event's other speakers included Kevin Bolding, YMCA of Central Florida President/CEO; City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Dr. Kathryn Shuler, Chief Academic Officer, OCPS; Lisa Riggins, Southwest Orlando Jaycees; Antoine Demings, YMCA Metropolitan Board Member; Karen Brown, YMCA Metropolitan Board Member; & Veronica Ingannamort, YMCA of Central Florida Teen Leader.
City of Orlando's Constituent Services Director Reginald B. McGill received the Southwest Orlando Jaycees Lifetime Achievement Award.
Local high school seniors Khaliah Moore, Arianna Castillo, and Eunice Pierre were awarded scholarships sponsored by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees, Ernst & Young, and the Pappy Kennedy Family. The UCF Gospel and Cultural Choir concluded the event with a moving rendition of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.
For additional information about the Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy Prayer Breakfast and to replay the virtual celebration, click here. To learn more about the YMCA of Central Florida, click here ymcacf.org.
About the YMCA of Central Florida
Driven by its Christian mission, the YMCA of Central Florida serves as a leading 501c(3) nonprofit committed to strengthening the community. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they're from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y's goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Marion counties. To learn more, visit ymcacf.org and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
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For BROLL & Soundbites: https://assets.ymcacf.org/share/44AE63D7-4B96-4158-AE9D9CD1DF02E136/
Eunice Pierre 1:00
Senior | Oak Ridge High School
Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Family Scholarship Recipient
Khaliah Moore 1:12
Senior | Maynard Evans High School
Ernst & Young Scholarship Recipient
Reginald B. McGill 3:32
Constituent Services Director | City of Orlando
Kevin Bolding 3:50
President & CEO | YMCA of Central Florida
2022 Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
