FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mental Health Association of Central Florida Announces Tig Notaro as Keynote Speaker

for the 15th Annual Legacy of Champions Luncheon 

 

 

Theme: Resilience: The Stories We Share

May 28, 2026  (11:30AM - 1:30PM)

Rosen Centre Hotel | 9840 International Drive - Orlando, FL 

 

Orlando, FL — The Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) is honored to announce that Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award nominated stand‑up comedian, actor, writer, and director

Tig Notaro will serve as the keynote speaker for the 15th Annual Legacy of Champions Luncheon, presented by AdventHealth, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Rosen Centre Hotel.

The event will again be hosted by Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell. 

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Notaro, widely regarded as one of the “50 Best Stand‑Up Comics of All Time” by Rolling Stone, has built a celebrated career defined by candor, vulnerability, and a singular comedic voice. Her 2024 Amazon special, TIG NOTARO: HELLO AGAIN, earned multiple Emmy nominations, adding to a body of work that continues to resonate with audiences navigating life’s most challenging moments. Her recent projects span television, film, and podcasting, including roles in The Morning Show on Apple TV, Star Trek: Discovery, the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, and the Netflix films Your Place or Mine and We Have a Ghost. Notaro also co‑directed the GLAAD‑nominated feature film Am I OK?, and produced the Sundance Festival Favorite and 2026 Academy Award nominated documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, released in 2025. She is the author of the New York Times best‑selling memoir I’m Just a Person and co‑host of the acclaimed podcast Handsome.

 

This year’s luncheon is anchored by the theme “Resilience: The Stories We Share,” highlighting the power of personal narratives to illuminate pathways through grief and loss. Notaro’s keynote will explore these themes through her signature blend of humor and humanity, offering a powerful reminder that shared stories can strengthen communities and foster healing.

 

This year’s gathering also takes place in the weeks leading up to the anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy — a moment that profoundly shaped Central Florida’s collective story. As our community continues to honor lives lost and support those impacted, the theme “Resilience: The Stories We Share” carries added meaning, reminding us that healing happens when we create space to listen, to remember, and to stand together.

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“We are thrilled to welcome Tig Notaro to this year’s Legacy of Champions Luncheon,” said Marni Stahlman, President & CEO of MHACF. “Her voice, her vulnerability, and her willingness to speak openly about life’s most difficult moments embody the very essence of resilience. Her presence will elevate this year’s theme and deepen our community’s understanding of the emotional journeys so many are navigating.”

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The Legacy of Champions Luncheon brings together civic leaders, mental health advocates, and community partners to highlight the state of mental health in Central Florida and to honor individuals with the Candice Crawford Community Champion Award and the Community Heroes Award. Proceeds support MHACF’s essential programs, including the Outlook Clinic, which provides free mental health services to uninsured residents.

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About The Mental Health Association of Central Florida
Established in 1946, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, Inc. (MHACF) strives to empower our community to be inclusive, equitable and aware of mental, emotional and behavioral health needs in ourselves and others. We work to advocate for all to be courageous in their pursuit to be seen, heard and understood on their path to wellness. The Mental Health Association of Central Florida understands that violence, racism, hate, and discrimination undermine mental wellness and are significant contributors to individual and community trauma. Therefore, we are committed to breaking cycles of multi-generational distress for marginalized communities in all that we do by pledging to work against racism, bias, prejudice and discrimination at individual, interpersonal and institutional levels. For more information about MHACF programs and resources, please contact us at (407) 898-0110 or visit www.MHACF.org.

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• Sponsorship and ticket opportunities are now available at www.mhacf.org/legacy-of-champions-luncheon-2026. 
• Media Contact:  Paula Wyatt Paula@AnythingisPoshAble.com and at 321-946-6565