Jay Bailey, president and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), will deliver the keynote address at the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast on January 16, 2026. The annual event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
Bailey leads RICE, described as the world’s largest entrepreneurial hub focused on supporting business growth and development. Under his leadership over the past five years, RICE has provided full-time support to more than 600 entrepreneurs, contributed to sustaining over 4,100 jobs in Metro Atlanta, and generated $557 million in new economic impact for the region.
Bailey is an Atlanta native who has delivered three TED Talks and is known for his commitment to community service. His efforts have been recognized by three U.S. presidents. In 2012, he was honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer service.
He also serves on several boards including the University of Georgia Board of Visitors, Agnes Scott College Board of Trustees, Atlanta Speech School board of directors, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta board member position, and as a trustee for the Georgia Forestry Foundation.
Bailey’s achievements include graduation from Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta and Regional Leadership Institute programs. He has received multiple awards such as the Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award; Maynard Jackson Community Impact Award; recognition as a 2023 Atlanta Business League Man of Influence; Startup Atlanta Lifetime Achievement Award; and Bernie Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award.
Tickets for this year’s Freedom Breakfast are available online at $25 per individual or $250 per table seating eight people. Tickets will not be sold on event day and initial sales are limited to one table per purchase.
The MLK Freedom Breakfast is sponsored by UGA along with Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and Clarke County School District. The event aims to honor Dr. King’s legacy while recognizing members from both Athens and UGA communities who continue his vision.
