The YMCA of South Florida’s 19th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Weekend, which honors Dr. King and his legacy through activities that bring communities together in celebration and service to others, continues Friday, Jan. 13 with a luncheon in Miami-Dade County beginning at 11:45 a.m. at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza, in Downtown Miami.
Other activities throughout the weekend include a breakfast, a Teen Town Hall, and Day of Service projects throughout South Florida. More than 1,000 business and civic community leaders are expected to attend both the MLK, Jr. Inspirational Breakfast and Luncheon to support the YMCA of South Florida’s “I Have a Dream” Youth Scholarship Fund. The Y offers a variety of youth programs which include preschool, after school, employment opportunities, teen groups and college tours and readiness.
The keynote speaker is Michelle Duster, author, public historian, professor and granddaughter of civil rights and women’s rights activist Ida B. Wells. Past keynote speakers include Martin Luther King, III, Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and Stanford University Professor and Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute Director Dr. Clayborne Carson.
During the breakfast and luncheon, the YMCA of South Florida will present two awards in each county. The Dave W. Cash Youth Leadership Award is presented annually to a student in Broward and in Miami-Dade County that has embodied the ideals of Dr. King in advocating for social change in the community. Both recipients are awarded a $2,000 college scholarship supporting their continued education. The Spirit of Community Award recognizes a community advocate in both Broward and Miami-Dade County who exemplifies the social activism, advocacy, nonviolence, civic engagement and diversity ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Among the past winners are the Children’s Trust, Trail Blazers of Broward County, Derek T. Davis, Valencia Gunder, The Mizell Family, Honorable Darrin P. Gayles, Dr. Robert B. Hayling, Willie E. Gary, Officer Lerue Sarvis and Jason Taylor.
Tickets to the 19th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Luncheon are $150 per person or $2,500 per table. For additional information on the Y’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Weekend events, including tickets and sponsorships, visit https://ymcasouthflorida.org/event/martin-luther-king-jr-inspirational-weekend-2023/.
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