The City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Branch NAACP, Jacksonville Urban League, and JAX Chamber invite the community to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr’s life, legacy, and service at the 39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast.
The MLK, Jr. Breakfast, presented by Florida Blue, is on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m., followed by the program at 8 a.m., hosted by emcees Shay Simon from Action News Jax and Anthony Austin from First Coast News. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will deliver remarks around 8:30am. The theme of this year’s event is “When Courage Leads, Love Follows.”
The program will highlight our 2026 Tomorrow’s Leaders, presented by VyStar Credit Union. This initiative honors and awards young students in our community who exemplify Dr. King’s philosophies of leadership, community volunteerism, and civic responsibility. The 2026 High School Poetry Winner is Janea White, Grade 9, Westside High School; the Middle School Visual Arts Winner is Jordan Taylor, Grade 7, Westview K-8, and the
Elementary School Essay Winner is Raquel Watson, Grade 5, Biscayne Elementary Leadership Academy.
Individual tickets are still available for $70 each at JaxMLKBreakfast.com and can be purchased up until the breakfast or until sold out.
Complimentary parking for all ticketed guests is provided in the following lots:
- Prime Osborn Convention Center West Parking Lot – 1130 W Bay St
- Bay St Gravel Lot – 1015 W Bay St
- Emerald Trail Lot – 944 W Forsyth St
(Northeast intersection of W Bay St & Lee St)
- Water Street Parking Garage – 541 Water St
Parking Map:
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure parking and seating. Additionally, the JTA Skyway offers a convenient transportation option, with hours of operation Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information on Skyway hours and Park-n-Ride options, visit: www.jtafla.com/ride-jta/skyway.
About the City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment: The City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment attracts, hosts, and creates opportunities that drive economic impact, accelerate the Jacksonville brand, and improve the quality of life and cultural engagement for visitors and residents. Jacksonville hosts hundreds of diverse events yearly, making Northeast Florida a premier destination with rich tradition and world-class hospitality. For more information, visit events.coj.net.