Thank you for attending the
2025 Dr. Martin luther King Jr. BREAKFAST CELEBRATION
January 20, 2025 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. | The Medallion Club
Our theme for 2025 was "Creating the Beloved Community, Even When We Don't Agree." Our featured speaker was Kenston Henderson Sr.
Kenston Henderson Sr. is the founder and CEO of Live With Lyfe, LLC, a dynamic training and development company. As a TEDx Signature Speaker, certified John Maxwell Leadership Speaker and Trainer, Culture Transformation Champion, and Youth Mental Health First Aid USA certified professional, Kenston brings over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and personal development to his work. He has delivered hundreds of presentations across 40+ states, making a significant impact across diverse industries. Since the pandemic, his influence has expanded globally, reaching audiences in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America through virtual platforms. Beyond his speaking engagements, Kenston is an accomplished musician with two instrumental albums, “Breathe” and “Oasis,” and the author of two Amazon Bestsellers: “Parenting Like a Boss: Intentionally Committed” and “Winning Conversations: How to Communicate Successfully and Courageously About Race.” Kenston’s greatest commitment is to his family. He strives daily to be the best husband to his wife and the best father to his son, Kenston Jr., embodying the values he teaches in both his personal and professional life.
Alston & Fouse Award winners were honored prior to the featured speaker.
Fouse Award Winners
Mariah Chaffin
Genoa Middle School Future City Project Team 2022
Alston Award Winner
Rick Rano
Kenston Henderson Sr. is the founder and CEO of Live With Lyfe, LLC, a dynamic training and development company. As a TEDx Signature Speaker, certified John Maxwell Leadership Speaker and Trainer, Culture Transformation Champion, and Youth Mental Health First Aid USA certified professional, Kenston brings over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and personal development to his work. He has delivered hundreds of presentations across 40+ states, making a significant impact across diverse industries. Since the pandemic, his influence has expanded globally, reaching audiences in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America through virtual platforms. Beyond his speaking engagements, Kenston is an accomplished musician with two instrumental albums, “Breathe” and “Oasis,” and the author of two Amazon Bestsellers: “Parenting Like a Boss: Intentionally Committed” and “Winning Conversations: How to Communicate Successfully and Courageously About Race.” Kenston’s greatest commitment is to his family. He strives daily to be the best husband to his wife and the best father to his son, Kenston Jr., embodying the values he teaches in both his personal and professional life.
Alston & Fouse Award winners were honored prior to the featured speaker.
Fouse Award Winners
Mariah Chaffin
Genoa Middle School Future City Project Team 2022
Alston Award Winner
Rick Rano
Sponsors
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2025 Table Sponsors
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"I loved the breakfast! There were so many good takeaways! Wow! First and foremost, the guest speaker Nic Stone...authentic, open, positive, and powerful. The student award winners! I love seeing and hearing about our amazing students." ~event attendee
"When the speakers can draw a direct line to what our young people are experiencing today, it only extends the reach of his [Dr. King’s] legacy and powerful work. I love that Nic Stone was relevant to all of our young people in attendance.” ~ event attendee
watch the 2023 Breakfast CElebration |
THE HISTORY OF THE WESTERVILLE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFASTThe first Westerville, Ohio breakfast to honor Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was held January 3, 2006 at Heritage Christian Church. The senior pastor of that congregation, Rev. Jim Zippay launched the event. He was joined by Reverend Vaughn Bell of Westerville’s Triumphant Church of God. A community committee representing the city government, schools, Otterbein University, the library, and interested local residents began planning the annual events.
Beginning in 2008, annual awards were presented to adults and youth in the community whose actions represented the ideals of Dr. King. The following year with the assistance of Otterbein University the committee began encouraging residents to provide community service and participate in activities that spread the message of Dr. King. As the breakfast attendance grew and the committee brought speakers from out of state, new community support was sought. Leadership Westerville took the committee under its wing and provided website and social media assistance along with financial guidance. Through the years the committee brought quality speakers from around the country to present at the breakfast. Eventually speakers were contracted to spend several days in Westerville to provide time for more interactive presentations with Otterbein students and with local residents. Speakers have included: Jefferson Thomas, a member of the Little Rock Nine; Robert Peeples, a World War II Tuskegee Airman, Debbie Irving, author of Waking up White; and Dr. Gayle Fisher-Stewart, pastor of Calvary Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. |