At Jacksonville’s 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, Mayor Donna Deegan called on the city to meet this moment with courage, honesty, and love, urging residents to continue the work of building a more just, united, and opportunity-driven Jacksonville. Reflecting on Dr. King’s enduring legacy, the Mayor highlighted the ongoing impacts of historic inequities, celebrated local “unsung heroes” working to strengthen neighborhoods, and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to investing in communities that have been left behind. Her remarks challenged Jacksonville to move forward together — ensuring that affordability, dignity, and belonging are not distant ideals, but daily realities for future generations.