At Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast, Tony Jenkins Urges Daily Moral Responsibility; 19 Scholarships Awarded

ORLANDO — Community leaders, faith groups and sponsors gathered at the 35th annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy prayer breakfast to honor the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, recognize local scholarship recipients and call attendees to hands‑on community work.

Tammy Fields, emcee and host from Spectrum News 13, opened the morning and introduced First Orlando senior pastor David Yoo, who welcomed the crowd and linked the church’s long community presence to the Kennedy family’s civil‑rights work. "This place exists for one reason, to give glory to God and to be open to a community," Yoo said in his opening remarks.

The program included performances by the Inez Patricia School of Dance and a reading by Orlando poet laureate Kamara Gaither. A recorded message from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer thanked sponsors and the city’s MLK commission for four decades of partnership in promoting Dr. King’s vision.

Tony Jenkins, market president for Florida Blue’s Central Florida region and the event’s keynote speaker and surprise lifetime achievement honoree, framed his remarks around personal responsibility. Jenkins recalled moments of exclusion and urged the audience to ask, "Are we truly delivering on the promises of freedom, justice, and equality for all?" He said that lasting change is not only won in courts or through laws but in how people respond in everyday interactions, and he asked, "What does responsibility require of me in this moment?"

Jenkins also addressed regional trends, saying Central Florida’s rapid growth is creating pressure on housing and commutes and challenging community cohesion. He urged attendees to meet those stresses with dignity and constructive action rather than anger.

Organizers used the breakfast to celebrate the program’s scholarship work. Emcees said the scholarship committee received more than 40 applications this year, reporting an average GPA among applicants of 3.6 and announcing that 19 scholarships were awarded — the largest single‑year total in the event’s history. Organizers named recipients and sponsoring organizations during the program, including awards sponsored by PepsiCo, Florida Blue, AdventHealth, Ernst & Young and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

A segment of the program also honored Arthur Pappy Kennedy’s family and recalled his role advocating for single‑member districts to improve representation in Orlando. Organizers led a moment of silence for Commissioner Mabel Butler and state senator Geraldine Thompson.

The YMCA of Central Florida and Southwest Orlando Junior Chamber helped organize the breakfast. Kevin Boulding, CEO of the YMCA of Central Florida, and Julie Kleffel, YMCA board chair, delivered closing remarks and invited attendees to join a city‑sponsored "million‑meal pack" volunteer event at the Orange County Convention Center immediately following the program.

The program closed with a final musical selection and an invitation to continue service work in the community. No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the event; it was primarily a ceremonial and fundraising gathering to honor local leaders and support students.