Hundreds gather to remember Martin Luther King Jr. at annual breakfast

CENTRAL FLORIDA — People all over central Florida are honoring the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday.

Hundreds gathered for the YMCA of central Florida's annual prayer breakfast, where the group heard from special guest Dr. Mae Jemison, who is the first black woman to go to space with NASA.

When Jemison took the stage, she used King's words, hoping to inspire, and was greeted with a standing ovation.

She talked to everyone about what mark they can make.

"We do this because we believe that pursuing an extraordinary tomorrow is what builds a better world today," said Jemision.

Jemision was the keynote speaker for the annual breakfast named after Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy.

"Use your place at the table and bring your own perspective and your voice and always think about how do you increase the number of people who have opportunities," she said.

Kennedy became the first black elected official in Orlando when he won a City Council seat in the '70s.

Judge Belvin Perry grew up as Kennedy's neighbor and Sunday school student.

On Monday, Perry received a lifetime achievement award bearing the name of the man he looked up to.

"It is probably one of the greatest honors I've ever had," Perry said. "He's a man that I admired and respected."

Jemison reminded everyone that her success was possible because of people like King and Kennedy. She said she hopes everyone gets outside of their one comfort zones to make a difference.

"Martin Luther King Jr. said 'Nothing pains people more than having to think,'" she said.

The event is sponsored by the YMCA every year, and Monday they gave several students scholarships to help them blaze some trails of their own.

WFTV