(Rosen Centre, Orlando FL) The Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) held its Legacy of Champions Luncheon on Wednesday May 21 2025, featuring celebrity keynote speaker, rap legend Ice-T.
The luncheon opened up with introductions from Dr. Marni Stahlman (President and CEO of MHACF), before the plated meals were served at each table. While attendees were enjoying their lunches, MHACF awarded its 2025 Community Heroes Award to Carl Metzer (Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of the University of Central Florida Police Department). MHACF's preceding President and CEO, Candy Crawford, was also on hand to present the Candice Crawford Community Service Award to the Orlando Magic & Its Affiliates, with the award proudly accepted by Audra Romao (Chief People Officer, Orlando Magic) and Nick Anderson (Community Ambassador, Orlando Magic).
Orange County Mayor, Jerry Demings, had the honor of introducing Scott Maxwell (Columnist, Orlando Sentinel) to moderate the final keynote portion of the luncheon, then calling to stage the man of the hour: rapper and 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' TV show actor, Ice-T.
The luncheon was late to admit attendees in this afternoon due to a delay inside of the ballroom. It turned out that the delay was due to Ice-T making the request to spend some extra time with the youth of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, before the doors were opened to the rest of the invitees. This was not a requirement of Ice-T's appearance on this day, but the kind act stood as a testament to Ice-T's commitment to giving back to the community and sincerely trying to make an impact on the central Florida community.
Ice-T's dialogue was open, insightful, and personal. He described how there's a certain level of guilt that is associated with success. He emphasized how one has to learn how to say 'no', and that by saying 'no' one can get rid of one's stress. He said that when one says 'yes', that that person has now taken on stress and the responsibility associated with that stress.
He described how there's a level of deprogramming that must occur because today's youth is growing up in different realities than what the world actually is like. He stated that he wasn't necessarily promoting 'mental health', but more so 'mental reprogramming'.
He revealed how he always answers inbound phone calls late at night, because those are the calls when things actually go wrong, and that those types of calls don't usually take place during normal business hours.
His content covered that 'every single person is going through something,' emphasizing how we have to all help each other, and be there for one another. Further, he stated that things (stressors) become amplified when one thinks that they are the only ones going through difficult situations, and that's when things become dangerous. He reiterated that no matter what one is going through, that somebody else is also going through it.
Ice-T spoke briefly about his Male Awareness Foundation, which encouraged men to go to the doctor. He added that most men go to the doctor only after 'a woman told them to go.'
It was shared at this point how Ice-T spoke to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida immediately prior to the doors opening. He defended the importance of having these children speak with someone who had come from the same place (in life) that they did.
He talked about his 9 year old, and how when a man has a child in the second half of life, that it resets the man's life. He declared that when one's daughter is born that 'you can't die' for the purpose of being there for the daughter. He said that when his daughter was born, that he actually had to start taking care of himself.
He was asked to confirm a rumor of having constantly thought about being killed. He openly shared with the audience that this was a thought that he still thinks about to this day.
He then cited Mike Tyson once saying that 'no one pays to see normal people', and that it was also for this reason that people didn't want to talk for fear that what they share might someday get thrown back at them.
I was completely engulfed in Ice-T's conversation. With his elevated platform, he still managed to connect individually with the over-700 persons in attendance. He was candid and revealing, and was the perfect keynote speaker for MHACF's 'Legacy of Champions' luncheon last week.
Following the luncheon, those who had prepaid for the post-luncheon meet and greet were able to meet the celebrity actor / rapper immediately after his talk, just across the hall.
This was a powerful luncheon, and I sincerely look forward to many more presentations with Mental Health Association of Central Florida in the future. The time was meaningful and impactful, and surely resonated with many in attendance. I sincerely wish this group all the best as they continue with their mission of addressing 'the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all.'
To make a donation to this organization, please visit: MHACF.ORG
--Bailey Guinigundo
The luncheon opened up with introductions from Dr. Marni Stahlman (President and CEO of MHACF), before the plated meals were served at each table. While attendees were enjoying their lunches, MHACF awarded its 2025 Community Heroes Award to Carl Metzer (Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of the University of Central Florida Police Department). MHACF's preceding President and CEO, Candy Crawford, was also on hand to present the Candice Crawford Community Service Award to the Orlando Magic & Its Affiliates, with the award proudly accepted by Audra Romao (Chief People Officer, Orlando Magic) and Nick Anderson (Community Ambassador, Orlando Magic).
Orange County Mayor, Jerry Demings, had the honor of introducing Scott Maxwell (Columnist, Orlando Sentinel) to moderate the final keynote portion of the luncheon, then calling to stage the man of the hour: rapper and 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' TV show actor, Ice-T.
The luncheon was late to admit attendees in this afternoon due to a delay inside of the ballroom. It turned out that the delay was due to Ice-T making the request to spend some extra time with the youth of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, before the doors were opened to the rest of the invitees. This was not a requirement of Ice-T's appearance on this day, but the kind act stood as a testament to Ice-T's commitment to giving back to the community and sincerely trying to make an impact on the central Florida community.
Ice-T's dialogue was open, insightful, and personal. He described how there's a certain level of guilt that is associated with success. He emphasized how one has to learn how to say 'no', and that by saying 'no' one can get rid of one's stress. He said that when one says 'yes', that that person has now taken on stress and the responsibility associated with that stress.
He described how there's a level of deprogramming that must occur because today's youth is growing up in different realities than what the world actually is like. He stated that he wasn't necessarily promoting 'mental health', but more so 'mental reprogramming'.
He revealed how he always answers inbound phone calls late at night, because those are the calls when things actually go wrong, and that those types of calls don't usually take place during normal business hours.
His content covered that 'every single person is going through something,' emphasizing how we have to all help each other, and be there for one another. Further, he stated that things (stressors) become amplified when one thinks that they are the only ones going through difficult situations, and that's when things become dangerous. He reiterated that no matter what one is going through, that somebody else is also going through it.
Ice-T spoke briefly about his Male Awareness Foundation, which encouraged men to go to the doctor. He added that most men go to the doctor only after 'a woman told them to go.'
It was shared at this point how Ice-T spoke to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida immediately prior to the doors opening. He defended the importance of having these children speak with someone who had come from the same place (in life) that they did.
He talked about his 9 year old, and how when a man has a child in the second half of life, that it resets the man's life. He declared that when one's daughter is born that 'you can't die' for the purpose of being there for the daughter. He said that when his daughter was born, that he actually had to start taking care of himself.
He was asked to confirm a rumor of having constantly thought about being killed. He openly shared with the audience that this was a thought that he still thinks about to this day.
He then cited Mike Tyson once saying that 'no one pays to see normal people', and that it was also for this reason that people didn't want to talk for fear that what they share might someday get thrown back at them.
I was completely engulfed in Ice-T's conversation. With his elevated platform, he still managed to connect individually with the over-700 persons in attendance. He was candid and revealing, and was the perfect keynote speaker for MHACF's 'Legacy of Champions' luncheon last week.
Following the luncheon, those who had prepaid for the post-luncheon meet and greet were able to meet the celebrity actor / rapper immediately after his talk, just across the hall.
This was a powerful luncheon, and I sincerely look forward to many more presentations with Mental Health Association of Central Florida in the future. The time was meaningful and impactful, and surely resonated with many in attendance. I sincerely wish this group all the best as they continue with their mission of addressing 'the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all.'
To make a donation to this organization, please visit: MHACF.ORG
--Bailey Guinigundo
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