The 2013 Annual Corporate Meeting and Luncheon was held on Saturday, January 26, 2013, at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. This year's meeting held special significance as it marked 45 years of the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. providing services to socially and economically disadvantaged children and families throughout the State of Florida. Nearly 400 Corporate partners, Board members, and guests attended ALPI's largest annual event. The theme for this year's event was: "Charting Our Course … Answering the Call to Service."

Mistress of Ceremonies for this year's luncheon was Christine Samuel of Winter Haven, FL (Career Specialist at Polk Works and ALPI Board Treasurer). Presentation of Colors was performed by the American Legion Post #201 of Winter Haven, FL. The Welcome and Occasion message was delivered by Marjorie Gaskin of Fort Pierce, FL (ALPI Board Member). Greetings were extended by Reginald McGill of Orlando, FL (Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Orlando, FL). Words of Inspiration were shared by the Reverend Vernon McQueen of Sanford, FL (ALPI Board Member), followed immediately by the message from the ALPI Board Chairperson, William Holt of Vero Beach, FL. Two lovely musical selections were performed by accomplished violinist, Ms. Jaida Hawkins of Jaida Hawkins & Company, Lakeland, FL. The event's keynote speaker, Judge Glenda Hatchett, was introduced by Mrs. Josephine Howard of Haines City, FL (ALPI Board Secretary).

Glenda Hatchett was born in 1951 and grew up in a low-income Atlanta neighborhood. Her mother, a teacher, was resourceful with the family's limited resources and her father "instilled in her the feeling that there was nothing in the world she couldn't do," according to Black Living online. At the beginning of her address, she warned the audience she was a storyteller. She said she was long-winded like most Southern Baptists and that she liked to move around when she spoke. "I want to speak to you as a community of brothers and sisters," Hatchett said. "And I call you my brothers and sisters without regard to race or religion or culture - wherever you're from - because we are brothers and sisters in this amazing journey." Judge Hatchett discussed how she almost gave up on her own personal dream of success and was extremely discouraged while she was going to law school full time and working full time. After a heartfelt discussion with a close relative, she was encouraged to not give up. "If it were easy, everyone could do great things. People achieve great things only when they don't give up and don't give in," Hatchett said boldly. She explained how sometimes people need to step out in faith in order to grow both personally and professionally, as she herself had done when she gave up an extremely lucrative position at Delta Airlines in order to do something that would make a great difference in people's lives, specifically children. Judge Hatchett was adamant that "we must do better and can do better. We're called to do something in our life that will live on beyond our own generation. It's not about us; it's about making a difference, like ALPI does every day." She encouraged everyone to "dream bold dreams" and whatever it is that we need to do, should be done with purpose and passion. In closing, she reminded the audience that everyone is here because of all the sacrifices others have made before us and their memory should be honored by trying to excel in all we do.

Following the speaker, a musical dramatization was performed by Expressly You, of Sanford, FL, after which guests were recognized by Lester Roberts of Avon Park, FL (ALPI Board Member). Awards and Recognitions were bestowed by William Holt (ALPI Board Chairperson) and Deloris Johnson of Lakeland, FL (ALPI Chief Executive Officer). Program participants were acknowledged by Marva Hawkins of Sanford, FL (Chairperson, ALPI Special Events Committee), with Board installation performed by William A. Sweat, Esq. of Sweat, P.A. in Lakeland, FL. Closing remarks were given by William Holt, ALPI Board Chairperson.