ORLANDO, Fla -- On Monday the city of Orlando’s first African-American city council member will be celebrated at the 32nd Annual Arthur “Pappy" Kennedy Prayer Breakfast.

“He was a man of service. He wanted to reach out and help someone along the way if he could,” said Bridgette Waters, the granddaughter of Arthur “Pappy,” Kennedy.

Born in 1913, Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, grew up and paved the way in the city beautiful as the first African-American city council member in Orlando. Outside of that historic title, his loved ones said he was very devoted to his family and his faith. His daughter Shirley Kennedy Waters explained there are many similarities between her father and Dr Martin Luther King Junior. 

“They were two strong black men,” added Shirley. “They had compassion, they had faith, they had hope.”

She said her dad meant the world to her.

“My dad was everything to me. He was a friend, he was a father, he was a man of faith and he taught me to put God first, family next and education,” explained Shirley. “That’s what I tried to do with my life and instill in my children’s lives.”

In the city beautiful there’s a post office named after Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy. There is also a road named “Pappy Kennedy Street” and the Kennedy family home still sits along that road. As a man who was big on education, his family continues to give out scholarships in his honor.

“He has been a great inspiration to those that have been in the city of Orlando, Florida,” said Brittney Waters, who is the great-granddaughter of Arthur Pappy” Kennedy. “To give back to his own community is a great thing, that we are doing and continuing doing to continue his legacy.”

She said one of her favorite quotes from her great-grandfather is, “Don’t forget to pray.” Brittany said faith was very important to the late city council member.

“I think prayer is a powerful thing, and that is going forward with prayer and helping out each other that could make a very big impact on the world.”

Following Monday’ breakfast at First Baptist Church Orlando, the family of Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy will be working with the YMCA to help with community service projects in the area.