Why did you sign?
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SCOTT MAXWELL, COLUMNIST ORLANDO SENTINEL
“Because I believe hate, bigotry and discrimination — against any group — is wrong. And we all have an obligation to stand against it — and to call it out for what it is when we see it. This is a diverse and welcoming community. And we should let the world know.”
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MAYOR BUDDY DYER, CITY OF ORLANDO
“Together we can continue to show that our community is welcoming, inclusive and compassionate.”
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JAMIE MERRILL, PRESIDENT & CEO AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
“Because I believe that hate is the worst offense and we should strive for the inclusion of all.”
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CHRIS ROELKE, PRESIDENT STETSON UNIVERSITY
“I enthusiastically signed The Central Florida Pledge because kindness matters — it not only matters, it enables us to listen, to engage with others unlike ourselves and to consider paths we forge together to make our community, in fact the world, a better place.”
RACHEL ALLEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PEACE AND JUSTICE INSTITUTE
"It's good for our community to consider how we treat each other and to work together to create a welcoming home for all people."
JULIE ANDERSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF ORLANDO SENTINEL
DICK BATCHELOR, FOUNDER DICK BATCHELOR MANAGEMENT GROUP
"As Thomas Payne said, 'But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it wants and all it asks is the liberty of appearing.' Let us gather behind the truth and take a stand for community."
JASBIR BHATIA, INTERFAITH COUNCIL OF CENTRAL FLORIDA AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SIKH SOCIETY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
"Because I BELIEVE in a life of harmony with all people regardless of faith background. The purpose of all religions is to make us better human beings of higher values and not be bothered by petty differences."
KEVIN BOLDING, PRESIDENT & CEO YMCA OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
MARK BREWER, CEO CENTRAL FLORIDA FOUNDATION
"This is an important starting point to getting our world back to what we want it to be."
LINDA CHAPIN, FORMER MAYOR OF ORANGE COUNTY
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Theologian, executed by the Nazis.
DR. GRANT CORNWELL
President, Rollins College
MAYOR JERRY DEMINGS, ORANGE COUNTY
“I believe that fostering a community of inclusion for all is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity. A safe and welcoming environment ensures that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, feels valued, empowered, and connected.”
MAYOR BUDDY DYER, CITY OF ORLANDO
“Together we can continue to show that our community is welcoming, inclusive and compassionate.”
TALLI DIPPOLD, CEO HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL & EDUCATION CENTER OF FLORIDA
"This Pledge is important because we all want to live in a just, caring community free of antisemitism, prejudice and bigotry. It's going to take all of us coming together for that to happen."
MICHAEL DIPPY, CEO IDIGNITY
"Because I believe such efforts make God smile."
REV. MARY DOWNEY, CEO HOPE PARTNERSHIP
"Everyone is beloved and deserves to belong in Central Florida. At Hope Partnership we believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home and a key part of safety means ensuring that people are free to live authentically and hold any faith values without fear or discrimination."
RABBI STEVEN ENGEL, (RET.) CONGREGATION OF REFORM JUDAISM
“I signed the Pledge because I believe that there are many others like me in Central Florida that want to ensure that hate will not find any places to hide or raise its ugly head in our home.”
JENNIFER EVINS, CEO UNITED ARTS CFL
"I believe I must set an example of love and kindness and that I can make a difference."
ATIF FAREED, PRESIDENT AMERICAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
"We need to love one another and support one another. Let's work towards peace by honoring every life. Every human is special and must be able to live in peace and harmony"
CHAD GARMON, MEMBER GOVERNORS FAITH AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVE COUNCIL
“This work is important for our community to be able to take the next steps to love, serve, and care for one another.”
HUNTER GOLD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CENTRAL FLORIDA HILLEL
“I signed the Pledge to show the commitment and solidarity of the Jewish University community with the greater Orlando community. We are all in this together fighting against antisemitism, islamophobia and hate.”
RANDY HAFFNER, CEO ADVENT HEALTH FLORIDA
“We are called to love our neighbors.”
JEFF HAYWARD, CEO HEART OF FLORIDA UNITED WAY
"Hatred, bias and discrimination need to be replaced with civility, respect and acceptance, and I want to be part of that."
DR. JOEL HUNTER, CHAIRMAN CENTRAL FLORIDA PLEDGE
"I'm trying to 'love my neighbor' better."
TERESA JACOBS, CHAIRMAN ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
"In the words of Edmund Durk, 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'"
HANNA AL JALLAD, UCF PALESTINIAN ASSOCIATION STUDENT PRESIDENT
"Help to bring the community together and support us."
DR. BARBARA JENKINS, (RET.) SUPERINTENDENT OF ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
"I signed the Pledge because I believe prejudice and hate have no place in our community, and together we can provide safety and acceptance for all Central Floridians. Our children deserve a brighter future where love conquers hate."
TONY JENKINS, CFL MARKET PRESIDENT FLORIDA BLUE
"I believe all people should be treated with respect and kindness, especially in how we treat our neighbors and others right here in Central Florida."
GARRY JONES, PRESIDENT FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
RABBI DAVID KAY, CHAIRMAN INTERFAITH COUNCIL OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
"History teaches us that people of ill will are in the minority, even when it seems otherwise. It's the obligation of the majority of people of good will to stand up, speak out, and take action."
SHERIFF DENNIS LEMMA, SEMINOLE COUNTY
“It is important that we stand united in our commitment to reject any and all forms of hatred in our community. Together, we pledge to nurture understanding, foster empathy, and embrace diversity. Our unity lies our strength and shared commonalities, which is what remains incredibly special about Central Florida.”
JONAH LYNNE, UCF HILLEL STUDENT PRESIDENT
"I signed the Pledge because everyone deserves peace in this community. Our campuses are becoming more divided than ever, and we need to come together to end hatred."
SCOTT MAXWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL
"Because I believe hate, bigotry and discrimination -- against any group -- is wrong. And we all have an obligation to stand against it -- and to call it out for what it is when we see it. This is a diverse and welcoming community. And we should let the world know."
BISHOP DERRICK MCRAE, THE EXPERIENCE CHRISTIAN CENTER AND PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CLERGY
JAMIE MERRILL, CEO BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
"Because I believe that hate is the worst offense and we should live with inclusion of all"
SHERIFF JOHN MINA, ORANGE COUNTY
"I believe we must stand together against hate and bigotry of all kinds and stand together for a community where everyone feels safe, respected and valued."
IMAM MUHAMMAD MUSRI, PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
” I signed the Pledge because it reflects my Islamic beliefs and my commitment to peace and respect for all my neighbors, regardless of the race, religion, or ethnicity.”
BISHOP JOHN NOONAN, CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORLANDO
DAVID ODAHOWSKI, CEO, EDYTH BUSH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
"Central Florida is a 21st century community of great promise. People come to Orlando for economic, educational, and quality of life opportunities. Anti-semitism, hate and intolerance, have no place in The City Beautiful. The Pledge is an affirmative action that promotes awareness, education and resilience of the issue before us. As the famous song 'Let There Be Peace on Earth' reminds us, 'Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony, and let it begin with me.'"
TERRY OLSON, ORANGE COUNTY ARTS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS
"Because I am committed that since I believe God was humble enough to accept me and become a human Himself, I am eager to do the same with other humans."
DR. DANIEL PODBERESKY, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER NEMOURS CHILDREN'S HEALTH
KATHY RAMSBERGER, CEO DR. PHILLIPS CENTER
IMAM TARIQ RASHEED, DIRECTOR ISLAMIC CENTER OF ORLANDO
"I endorse and support The Central Florida Pledge because I believe that peaceful coexistence is the most pressing need of our time."
KAY RAWLINS, CO-FOUNDER ORLANDO CITY SOCCER
KRAN RILEY, PRESIDENT, NAACP ORANGE COUNTY
DR. CHRIS ROELKE, PRESIDENT STETSON UNIVERSITY
"I enthusiastically signed The Central Florida Pledge because kindness matters - it not only matters, it enables us to listen, to engage with others unlike ourselves and to consider paths we forge together to make our community, in fact the world, a better place."
STANLEY RUBINS, VP VISIT ORLANDO
"This Pledge shows that we are a warm and welcoming community for all. We are all valued in Orlando."
FELIPE SOUSA-LAZABALLET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HOPE COMMUNITY CENTER
"Everyone in our community deserves the right to live full lives without fear. We all deserve a chance to thrive, instead of barely surviving. This is the reason why we must stand together against hate in all forms."
REV. TERRI STEED-PIERCE, LEAD PASTOR JOY METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
"I support love winning."
DR. DAVID SWANSON, SENIOR PASTOR FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ORLANDO
"Because I believe all people are created in the image of God and are therefore worthy of being treated with dignity, respect and love."
DR. MARIA VAZQUEZ, SUPERINTENDENT ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“As the daughter of immigrants and an English-language learner, I know it is essential for all students to feel embraced for who they are. Every student belongs in our schools and in our community.”
ARCHBISHOP ALLEN WIGGINS, THE HOPE CHURCH OF ORLANDO
"It is imperative to gain an understanding and an appreciation for all cultures that make up this beautiful world we live in. Without an understanding and a respect for all, there will never be peace. We must protect our hope, remain optimistic about living harmoniously with our neighbor, and believe that better days are before us."
DAVID WILLIAMSON, CENTRAL FLORIDA FREETHOUGHT COMMUNITY
“No matter what we believe; no matter who we are, we all deserve to be treated fairly and justly. I am committed to this principle, not just for those like me, but for all. The Central Florida Pledge is a good reminder that, as members of a pluralistic society, we have a duty of care and respect to everyone with whom we share space.”