The City of Jacksonville has announced that Dr. Sampson Davis, M.D., a highly skilled emergency medicine physician, New York Times best-selling author, and frequent medical expert on TODAY and CNN, will serve as keynote speaker at the 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, presented by Florida Blue. The breakfast, held to celebrate the life, legacy and service of Dr. King, will be held Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at the Prime Osborn III Convention Center.
“I am so proud to live in such a culturally diverse and rich city like Jacksonville,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “Dr. King undoubtedly played a pivotal role in helping our nation recognize the value each and every one of us brings to our community. It is an honor to celebrate his leadership and service.”
Dr. Davis, who came from humble beginnings growing up surrounded by poverty, crime and drugs, overcame these adversities to become a nationally renowned, well-respected board certified emergency medicine physician. His accomplishments include several books such as
Living and Dying in Brick City: An E.R. Doctor Returns Home, and television appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Dr. Oz Show, The View and more. Dr. Davis’ message of perseverance to youth and the community echoes that of Dr. King’s.
The breakfast will honor several local youths for their positive contributions to the community as inspired by the leadership of Dr. King. Elementary, middle and high school students who were nominated for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Award will be recognized as individuals who exemplify the ideals and principles of Dr. King through their volunteerism, leadership and civic responsibility.
“Dr. King’s principle of a ‘Beloved Community’ included an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood where poverty, hunger and homelessness were not tolerated,” said Florida Blue North Florida President Darnell Smith. “We strive to emulate this all-inclusiveness at Florida Blue and hope that our work to strengthen our communities brings us closer to his ideal ‘Beloved Community’ each day.”
Tickets can be purchased at
JaxMLKBreakfast.com. Individual tickets are $40 and corporate tables of 10 are $400. Parking for the event is free. Doors open at 7 a.m.
About the City of Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Office
The City of Jacksonville’s Sports and Entertainment Office 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 COJ.net.
About Florida Blue
Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, is a leader in Florida’s health care industry. Driven by its mission to help people and communities achieve better health, Florida Blue has more than 4 million health care members across the state. An additional 15.5 million people in 16 states are served through its affiliated companies. Florida Blue is a subsidiary of GuideWell Mutual Holding Company, a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Florida Blue is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit
www.floridablue.com.