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Chris Gardner

City of Jacksonville to Host 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

January 04, 2019
With Keynote Speaker Chris Gardner, the man behind “The Pursuit of Happyness”

 
The City of Jacksonville invites the community to celebrate the life, legacy and service of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, presented by Florida Blue. The breakfast will be held on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.  The doors will open at 7 a.m. and the program will begin at 8 a.m.
 
“For 32 years, our city has gathered together to honor and commemorate the life and legacy of one of our world’s most inspiring and influential leaders,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “The annual Martin Luther King breakfast serves as an opportunity for us to strengthen and renew our commitment to his profound work of justice, goodwill and respect. As we celebrate his 90th birthday, I continue to be inspired by his incredible life of courage, faith and principle. I look forward to the day’s events.”
 
The breakfast will feature Mayor Lenny Curry alongside keynote speaker Chris Gardner.  Gardner is an entrepreneur and best-selling author whose autobiography, “The Pursuit of Happyness,” became a New York Times #1 best-seller and was the inspiration for the critically-acclaimed movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” starring Academy Award®-nominated actor Will Smith. In addition to being a brand ambassador for AARP, Gardner recently produced his first film, and works closely with the U.S. Veterans Administration to end homelessness among veterans. His aim is to help others achieve their full potential.
 
The program will also recognize three local students who were named the 2019 Tomorrow’s Leaders award recipients, Ivery Brammann, Central Riverside Elementary School; Robyn Lucero, Kirby-Smith Middle School; and Arisa Nakamichi, Bishop Kenny High School. Tomorrow’s Leaders is a component of the breakfast that looks to recognize and award youth in the community who are exemplifying the philosophies of Dr. King through leadership, community volunteerism and civic responsibility.
 
The breakfast will be hosted by Tenikka Hughes from Action News Jax and Anthony Austin from First Coast News.
 
Individual tickets and corporate tables are available for purchase on JaxMLKBreakfast.com for $40 and $400, respectively. Ticket pricing includes admittance and breakfast. Parking for the event is free.

About the City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events

The City of Jacksonville’s Office of Special Events 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 each year making northeast Florida a premier destination with rich tradition and world-class hospitality. For more information, visit www.SpecialEvents.coj.net