The City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Branch NAACP, Jacksonville Urban League, and JAX Chamber, together host the 39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr’s life, legacy, and service.
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 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”.
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.