Jamail Larkins, a nationally recognized aviation entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, and the FAA’s first Ambassador for Aviation and Space Education, will bring his high-energy DreamLaunch program directly to local students. The initiative encourages young people to set ambitious goals, embrace STEM education, and recognize the boundless opportunities available to them.

 “We are thrilled to partner with Jamail Larkins to bring DreamLaunch to Charlotte County,” said Denise Dull, President, Florida International Air Show. “This program gives our middle school students not only an up-close connection to aviation but also the tools and inspiration to dream bigger than they ever imagined.”

Through interactive storytelling and real-life experiences, Larkins will highlight the importance of perseverance, education, and innovation – values that align perfectly with the Air Show’s mission of inspiring the next generation.

“DreamLaunch is about helping young people realize that their dreams are within reach if they’re willing to put in the effort,” said Jamail Larkins. “ Your background shouldn’t be a barrier to realizing your dreams. You can make any dream a reality if you’re willing to work hard at it.  I’m excited to share this message in Charlotte County, especially during a week where aviation and STEM take center stage.”

The Florida International Air Show, happening November 1–2, 2025, at Punta Gorda Airport, will feature world-class performances, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Warbird Thunder, and top aerobatic pilots. Bringing DreamLaunch to Charlotte County Middle Schools adds an important educational component to the week’s festivities.

For more information about the Florida International Air Show and its community programs, visit www.floridaairshow.com.

DreamLaunch – www.aviationstart.org

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Embracing Our Differences has received a $33,000 Strategic Partnership Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to expand educational programs aimed at fostering kindness, respect and inclusion among local students.

The grant will support three areas: $20,000 for Unity Day, funded by the Allen Wirtz Nobbe and Jo Bowen Nobbe Fund; $8,000 for the Bucket Fillers Reading Day program, funded by the Libby Yungblut FOI Charitable Fund; and $5,000 for books for Bucket Fillers Reading Day, funded by the Robert and Willa Bernhard Fund for Books and Literacy.

“Art has the power to change minds, and education has the power to change lives,” said Sarah Wertheimer, president and CEO of Embracing Our Differences. “When combined, they create waves of empathy and insight that reach far beyond the classroom. Grants like these from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County make that possible. By supporting Unity Day and Bucket Fillers Reading Day, the Community Foundation is helping us empower young leaders, foster kindness, and build respect, understanding, and connection across our community.”

Unity Day, designed for high school students, promotes teamwork and leadership through cooperative workshops. Bucket Fillers Reading Day introduces young children in pre-kindergarten through third grade to lessons of kindness and empathy through Carol McCloud’s award-winning books. Together, the programs reach thousands of students each year across Sarasota and Manatee counties.

For 22 years, Embracing Our Differences has hosted annual outdoor exhibitions featuring 50 billboard-sized works of art and quotations celebrating inclusion and respect. With more than 4.8 million visitors to date, the exhibitions remain a cornerstone of its year-round programming, which also includes field trips, student clubs and teacher workshops. The 2026 exhibitions are scheduled for January 17 through April 19 in Bayfront Park in Sarasota and March 7 through April 12 in Poynter Park in St. Petersburg.

For more information, visit embracingourdifferences.org or call 941-404-5710.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, a public charity founded in 1979, manages assets of $544 million across nearly 1,600 funds and awarded $56 million in grants and scholarships last year. Since its founding, it has granted more than $500 million to local nonprofits. More information is available at cfsarasota.org or by calling 941-955-3000.

Photo: Braden River Elementary students celebrate kindness and empathy during last year’s Bucket Fillers Reading Day, proudly holding up their copies of “Fill a Bucket: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Young Children.”

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