The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast
Click to watch the 2023 MLK Freedom Breakfast
About the Annual Martin Luther King Jr., Freedom Breakfast
The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast is Athens, Georgia’s premier celebration
of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. The breakfast is an annual partnership
between The University of Georgia, Athens – Clarke County Unified Government, and
the Clarke County School District. The breakfast brings together approximately 600
individuals from The University of Georgia and Clarke County communities and is also
used as a time to acknowledge the diversity achievements and contributions of members
of the Athens-Clarke County/UGA community.
Previous Freedom Breakfast themes have included:
-
- "The Power of the Dream: Building a Legacy for Generations" (2024)
- "The Power of the Dream: Growing Together" (2023)
- "The Power of the Dream: Footsteps of Courage" (2022)
- "The Power of the Dream: Forging a Path Forward" (2021)
- “The Power of the Dream: Freedom and Justice for All” (2020)
- "The Power of the Dream: Building the Beloved Community" (2019)
- "Pressing Toward the Promise" (2018)
- "The Power of the Dream: Inspiring a Nation from the Pulpit" (2017)
- “The Power of the Dream: One Step at a Time” (2016)
- “The Power of the Dream: Justice For All” (2015)
- “The Power of the Dream: Our Unmeasured Strength and Our Unbounded Spirit” (2014)
- “The Power of the Dream: A Man, A Speech, And A Vision For Positive Change” (2013)
- “The Power of the Dream: Moving Forward with a shared vision” (2012)
- “The Power of the Dream: Celebrating courage” (2011)
- “The Power of the Dream: Where Do We Go From Here?” (2010)
- “The Power of the Dream: Becoming an Agent for Change” (2009)
- “The Power of the Dream: Transforming One Life at a Time” (2008)
- “The Power of the Dream: Connecting Lives Through Unity” (2007)
The President's Fulfilling the Dream Award Recipients:
2024:
- Brian Leffler
- Caleb Snead
- Terris Thomas
2023:
- Jason Edwards
- Jaquarius Raglin
- Laura Whitaker
2022:
- Rosa Arroyo Driggers
- Rick Dunn
- Carl Miller
- Kevin Nwogu
- Henry Young
2021:
- Tony Lowe
- Charlie Maddox
- Narke Norton
- Jalen Polk
- Ashley Love
2020
- Marques Dexter
- Cesar L. Escalante
- Caleb Kelly
- Sherontae Maxwell
- Marvin J. Nunnally Jr.
2019
- Dr. K. Paige Carmichael
- Charlene Marsh
- Michele Pearson
2018
- Gregory L. Roseboro
- Rev.. Dr. Winfred M.. Hope
- O. Natalie Morean
2017
- Ms. Elizabeth Louis
- Dr. Barbara McCaskill
- Mr. Fred O. Smith & Mrs. Lee Zimmerman Smith
2016
- Dr. William Kisaalita
- Mr. Homer Wilson
- Mr. Darren Anglin
2015
- Mr. Charles King
- Mr. Lemuel LaRoche
- Ms. Joan Prittie
- Ms. Ericka “Ricky” Roberts
2014
- Mr. Dervin Cunningham
- Dr. Mark Dawkins
- Mr. Ernest Hardaway
2013
- Dr. Mark A. Farmer
- Mr. Stewart Zellars
- Dr. Walter R. Allen, Sr.
2012
- Dr. Corey W. Johnson
- Ms. Roberta Gardner
- Ms. Attawa J. Childers
2011
- Mr. Joshua Delaney
- Ms. Donna Wilkins
- Dr. Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander
2010
- Ms. Angela Denise Gay
- Mr. Willie James
- Dr. Pamela Kleiber
2009
- Dr. Art Dunning
- Sheriff Ira Edwards Jr.
- Mr. Felton L. Hudson
- Dr. Jenny Penney Oliver
2008
- Mrs. Patricia Clifton
- Mr. Derrick Floyd
- Dr. Robert Hill
- Ms. Esther Sherman
2007
- Dr. Maurice C. Daniels
- The Honorable Judge Steve C. Jones
- Dr. Maria Navarro
- Mr. Karl A. Scott
- Mr. Harry L. Sims
2006
- Mrs. Christine Harris
- Rev. Archibald R. Killian
- Ms. Esperanza Mejia
- Rev. David Nunnally, Sr.
2005
- Ms. Barbara Thurmond Archibald
- Dr. Talmadge Guy
- Sister Margarita Martin
2004
- Dr. David C. Berle
- Ms. Trudy Bradley
- Ms. Evelyn C. Neely
- Dr. Robert A. Pratt
Annually, a keynote speaker shares experiences, thoughts and reflections on the significance of Dr. King’s work in their own life. The speakers have included some of Georgia’s most prominent leaders.
Past Keynote Speakers
| 2024 | T. Dallas Smith, Founder & CEO of T. Dallas Smith & Company (TDS&Co) |
| 2023 | Arthur L. Tripp, Jr., State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Georgia |
| 2022 | Dr. Arthur Dunning, former President of Albany State Univeristy and author |
| 2021 | Hamilton Holmes Jr., son of Hamilton Holmes Sr. |
| 2020 | Honorable Steve C. Jones, U.S. District Judge |
| 2019 | Tiffany Cochran Edwards, The Cochran Firm |
| 2018 | Cheryl Davenport Dozier, President, Savannah State University |
| 2017 | Rev. Dr. Raphael Gamaliel Warnock, Senior Pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, spiritual home of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
| 2016 | Stacey Y. Abrams, House Minority Leader for Georgia General Assemby, State Representative 89th House District |
| 2015 | Andrew Young, U. N. Ambassador |
| 2014 | David Scott, Representative – GA, U.S. House of Representatives |
| 2013 | Monica Kauffman Pearson, Journalist and Broadcaster |
| 2012 | Billye S. Aaron, Civil Rights Activist and Educator |
| 2011 | Mary Francis Early, First African-American to earn a degree from The University of Georgia |
| 2010 | Thelma W. Moore, Judge, Superior Court Fulton County, GA |
| 2009 | John Lewis, Representative – GA, U.S. House of Representatives |
| 2008 | Hon. Robert Benham, Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia |
| 2007 | Evelyn Lowery, Civil Rights Activist |
| 2006 | Damon Evans, Athletic Director, University of Georgia |
| 2005 | Hon. Patricia Barron, Chief Magistrate Judge, Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Court |
| 2004 | Hon. Steve Jones, Superior Court, Western Circuit |
The breakfast would not be a success without support from our corporate sponsors. Sponsors have included AT&T, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Athens-Clarke County, Bank of America, Clarke County School District, Georgia Power, Georgia United Credit Union, Kaiser-Permanente, Piedmont Athens Regional, Public Education Matters Georgia, and St. Mary’s Health Care System.