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. The breakfast begins at 7 a.m., followed by the program at 8 a.m., led by host emcees Shay Simon from Action News Jax and Anthony Austin from First Coast News. The theme of this year’s event is “When Courage Leads, Love Follows”.
Mayor Donna Deegan emphasized the event’s importance: "The Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast is an opportunity to honor his legacy and embrace a shared vision of unity, equality, and progress. All citizens are invited to participate in this storied tradition and be part of our ongoing work to build a city where everyone can thrive. The City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Branch NAACP, Jacksonville Urban League, and JAX Chamber host the 2026 event, where we will feature the next generation of leaders."
This year’s program will celebrate talented students from across Jacksonville through the 2026 Tomorrow’s Leaders, presented by VyStar Credit Union. The contest recognizes an extraordinary group of students who embody Dr. King’s philosophies of leadership, community service, and civic responsibility. These young leaders are the heartbeat of our city’s future, and their remarkable contributions give us hope for a brighter tomorrow. The Tomorrow’s Leaders, presented by VyStar Credit Union, were chosen from essay, poetry, and visual arts submissions inspired by Dr. King’s powerful message, “When Courage Leads, Love Follows.” This theme is a powerful reminder that bold leadership demands more than strength. It requires the courage to press forward, the conscience to do what is right, and the heart to lead with love at the center.
Announcing 2026 Tomorrow’s Leaders Contest Winners:
High School - Poetry
- Winner: Janea White - Grade 9 - Westside High School
- Runner Up: Tamea Goodman - Grade 9 - A. Philip Randolph High School
Middle School - Visual Arts
- Winner: Jordan Taylor - Grade 7 - Westview K-8
- Runner Up: Nisha Gophinath - Grade 7 - Freedom Crossing Academy
Elementary School - Essay
- Winner: Raquel Watson - Grade 5 – Biscayne Elementary Leadership Academy
- Runner Up: Bryce Gravin – Grade 5 – Biscayne Elementary Leadership Academy
Tickets are available at Special Events - Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. Reserved corporate tables for 10 must be purchased by January 9, 2026. Parking is free, but attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with 78 full-service branches across Florida and Georgia, 1 million members and assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the top mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,300 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. VyStar members have access to 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.
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.