ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – When you hear the word “disability,” it’s easy to imagine limits, restrictions, and barriers. But for Jeffery Lorenzo Williams, those words have no place in his vocabulary. Paralyzed at 13, Williams identifies as a person of determination — a term that reflects strength and capability, not limitation. His life has become a masterclass in turning adversity into empowerment, proving that the most powerful movement begins in the mind.

During an exclusive interview with FNN News, Williams reflected on the event that changed his life and the mindset that carried him forward.

“I never focused on what I couldn’t do,” Williams said. “I focused on what I could and I just kept moving forward.”

That perspective has shaped a career defined by reinvention. Today, Williams is an accomplished New York City real estate broker, motivational author, pilot, and footwear designer. Each title tells part of the same story — one of perseverance, creativity, and purpose.

Through his footwear brand JLorenzo’s, Williams designs adaptive sneakers that merge fashion with motivation. His collections feature empowering inscriptions such as “Be somebody nobody thought you could be.” He laughs as he recalls me being his first customer. “Each inscription represents walking not just physically, but walking in purpose,” he said.

His work has not only built a stylish, inclusive brand but has also redefined what representation in fashion can look like. Earlier this year, Williams brought that message to Daniel’s Leather’s Inclusive Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week 2025, joining nearly 40 wheelchair-using models, including Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia Sturdivant. The event was more than a showcase — it was a celebration of visibility and empowerment. “The energy was incredible,” Williams said. “It wasn’t about being different, it was about being seen.”

Kareen Kennedy wearing her JLorenzos in 2019

Beyond fashion, Williams takes his passion for breaking barriers to the skies. As a licensed pilot, he flies glider planes, something he calls the ultimate expression of freedom.

“Flying gives me freedom,” he said. “It’s proof that even when life grounds you, you can still soar.”

His memoir, “My Feet Are Off the Ground: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph,” chronicles his remarkable journey from paralysis to success. Proceeds from the book fund nursing scholarships, extending his lifelong commitment to giving back. Looking ahead, Williams plans to bring his story to new audiences through a documentary and a stage play, with his son, Jeff Jr., potentially portraying him on screen.

Photo Courtesy of Jeffery Williams

When asked if he would change his past, Williams paused thoughtfully before answering.

“Of course, I’d love to walk,” he said. “But if I hadn’t gone through what I did, I wouldn’t have been able to touch and change lives the way I have. That’s worth more than anything.”

Jeffery Lorenzo Williams doesn’t just live with determination — he embodies it. Through his work, his story, and his example, he continues to challenge the world’s perception of ability. His life is a vivid reminder that real barriers often exist only where others place them, and that courage, when paired with purpose, can truly move mountain.

In a world quick to define people by their obstacles, Jeffery Lorenzo Williams is a compelling reminder that true limitation exists only where we allow it.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. (FNN) — The National Football League (NFL) and the Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) have unveiled the official lineup of Super Bowl LX events and activations, set to take place across the San Francisco Bay Area from February 2–9, 2026. This year’s festivities promise an immersive week blending sports, music, art, and innovation in one of America’s most dynamic regions.

NFL and Bay Area Leaders Celebrate a Decade Since Super Bowl 50

“As we return to the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX, a decade after Super Bowl 50, we’re fully embracing the region’s unique

energy,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President for Club Business, Major Events & International. “This is a place that has always driven innovation, and we’re creating a week that reflects the Bay Area’s culture, food, and creativity.”

Zaileen Janmohamed, President and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee, added, “Super Bowl LX is more than a game — it’s a moment to unite and showcase the full identity of our region while delivering lasting community impact.”

Week-Long Super Bowl LX Experiences Across the Bay

The Bay Area will host a full slate of fan experiences, concerts, and community programs, including:

• Super Bowl Opening Night Fueled by Gatorade (Feb. 2) – Fans can see both AFC and NFC champions at the San Jose Convention Center.

• Pro Bowl Games Powered by Verizon (Feb. 3) – Moving to Super Bowl Week for the first time, hosted at Moscone Center South.

• Super Bowl Experience Presented by Jersey Mike’s (Feb. 3–7) – Interactive exhibits, autographs, and the Vince Lombardi Trophy display at Moscone Center.

• NFL Honors Presented by Invisalign (Feb. 5) – Awards ceremony at the Palace of Fine Arts.

• BAHC Live! Concert Series (Feb. 5–7) – Performances at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, featuring Chris Stapleton and Sierra Ferrell.

• BAHC Super Bowl LX Innovation Summit (Feb. 6) – A first-of-its-kind event at SFMOMA, spotlighting tech, sports, and creativity.

• Super Bowl Breakfast (Feb. 7) – Hosted by Tony Dungy at the Marriott Marquis, honoring NFL players for character and leadership.

• Taste of the NFL (Feb. 7) – Culinary showcase at The Hibernia, benefiting GENYOUth and youth food security programs.

• Super Bowl LX Flag Football Game (Feb. 7) – Celebrity and athlete showdown at Moscone Center, streaming on YouTube.

• Super Bowl LX Game Day (Feb. 8) – Championship game at Levi’s Stadium, headlined by Bad Bunny in the Apple Music Halftime Show.

The Bay Area’s Biggest Week of the Year

From Yerba Buena Gardens Fan Zone to NFL Culture Club at The Pearl, Super Bowl LX Week will transform San Francisco into the epicenter of sports, culture, and innovation. With fan engagement, community events, and world-class entertainment, this year’s Super Bowl aims to celebrate both football and the vibrant character of the Bay Area.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, a Democrat and former sheriff, has officially filed paperwork to run for Florida governor in the 2026 election, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

Demings filed his candidacy on October 31, 2025, joining a growing list of hopefuls from both parties looking to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.

Demings, who leads one of Florida’s most populous counties and home to Orlando and its world-renowned theme parks, brings decades of experience in law enforcement and local government to his campaign.

Political Background and Historic Potential

If elected, Demings would become Florida’s first African American governor, marking a historic milestone for the state. However, he is not the first Black candidate to represent Democrats in a gubernatorial race—former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum narrowly lost to DeSantis in 2018 in one of Florida’s closest elections in history.

Demings, 65, began his career as an Orlando police officer in the early 1980s, rising to become Orlando’s police chief by 1998. A decade later, he made history again as Orange County’s first Black sheriff.

He is married to former U.S. Representative Val Demings, who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 against Senator Marco Rubio. The couple’s long-standing presence in Florida politics and law enforcement has made them a respected pair within the Democratic Party.

A Crowded 2026 Gubernatorial Field

Demings is the second high-profile Democrat to enter the race, following former U.S. Rep. David Jolly. On the Republican side, the field is also competitive: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds—who has received an early endorsement from former President Donald Trump—is considered a leading contender. Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins have also signaled interest in the GOP nomination.

If both Demings and Donalds secure their respective party nominations, Florida could see its first-ever governor’s race between two major-party Black candidates.

However, the campaign trail is already heating up. A spokesperson for Donalds’ campaign criticized Demings in a statement to reporters, calling him “weak, woke, and wrong for Florida,” and accusing him of “pushing soft-on-crime policies” during his time as police chief and mayor.

Despite early attacks, Democrats view Demings as one of their strongest contenders in years to reclaim the governor’s office in the nation’s third-most populous state.

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