Local’s Choice Tips: Floyd “Pepa” Jenkins
Floyd Jenkins is known around Key West as “Pepa,” sometimes “Pepa Mahogany,” and is the highly visible Duke of Fantasy Fest 2025 — this year themed “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters” — during the annual 10-day celebratory costume extravaganza that lures scores of festive revelers.
Floyd “Pepa” Jenkins (r) is a member of The Fabulous Spectrelles, a Motown-inspired Doo-Wop trio in Key West. Courtesy: Floyd Jenkins
As founder of Pepa’s Books for Tots, Jenkins heads up the group, partnered with the nonprofit Keys Be the Change, that has delivered 4,000 to 5,000 free books to Poinciana Elementary School and other Keys kids to read during the upcoming winter and spring holiday breaks.
His selected books, with a list uploaded to Amazon, have been purchased by online followers from London to California.
Floyd “Pepa” Jenkins (r), the executive administrative assistant to Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg (l). The two participated in a recent weekly initiative “Keep Key West Beautiful.” Courtesy: Floyd Jenkins
As executive administrative assistant to Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg, the multi-faceted Jenkins does “a little bit of everything” such as overseeing the chief’s schedule, calls, emails and travel logistics, and facilitating citizen requests.
Jenkins also is secretary of the board of the Key West Police Department’s nonprofit Love Fund, which supports officers’ families during difficult times.
Jenkins, a talented vocalist, is a frequent participant in Key West’s Aqua Idol, with performances around the island city. He’s a colorful member of The Fabulous Spectrelles, the local Motown-inspired Doo-Wop trio. He even auditioned for television show “American Idol” in Detroit in 2022. And he sang at New York City’s Carnegie Hall as a youthful member of the Michigan Honors State Choir.
Floyd “Pepa” Jenkins (l) and husband Joey Bove (r), executive director of food and nutrition at Lower Keys Medical Center, enjoy a night out at Key West Yacht Club. Courtesy: Floyd Jenkins
A native of Flint, Michigan, Jenkins earned a transfer as an AT&T manager, to Key West in 2007 at age 26, to run its store in Key Plaza. “I took a chance; I loved the island feel and its vibe. The rest is history,” he said.
He later spent five years working at Lower Keys Medical Center — joining the hospital’s team in fall 2017, first as an emergency room admissions registrar, then as an assistant case manager and a medical assistant — before accepting his current position at the Key West Police Department.
Jenkins met husband Joey Bove, the Lower Keys Medical Center’s executive director of food and nutrition, through an online dating app. The couple married in 2016.
Fantasy Fest 2025 Duke Floyd “Pepa” Jenkins worked to raise more than $353,500 for the Florida Keys SPCA with his campaign theme, “Wild Wild West.” and three other Fantasy Fest royal court members. His hairless feline companion is Poupée. Courtesy: Floyd Jenkins
It was Bove who gave Jenkins his nickname “Pepa,” a joking reference to “salt and pepper” after the pair’s contrasting skin colors. “The name ‘Pepa’ was birthed out of love,” Jenkins said.
The addition of “Mahogany” evolved as a reference to Jenkins’ dark skin tone and as a tribute to the movie ”Mahogany,” starring singer Diana Ross. “I love that movie, a rags-to-riches story,” Jenkins said.
Life as a gay Black man, prior to moving to Key West, often presented daunting challenges.
“I’ve had to fight my whole life. I was always kind of different; I was abstract, artistic and I loved singing,” Jenkins recalled. “I was ostracized and treated different.”
For Jenkins, the island city’s open-minded acceptance is an ideal fit. He’s been honored as an Employee of the Year by both the City of Key West and the Key West Chamber of Commerce.
Jenkins considers his current public service position an extension of an altruistic life that has evolved to help others. “I feel I’m where I’m supposed to be,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins — with his “Wild Wild West” Fantasy Fest 2025 campaign theme and three other spirited Fantasy Fest 2025 royal court members Joe Wooten, Cindy Benson and Mina Valdez — raised more than a record $353,500 to benefit the Florida Keys Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), The Center for Animal Welfare & Education.
He’s a parent to Poupée, his hairless feline companion.
His motto: “Kindness is the most precious form of currency, and best of all, it costs nothing.”
Where he dines: In Key West, at Blackfin Bistro, Milagro Restaurant & Bar, Old Town Tavern, Better Than Sex, El Siboney Restaurant, Azur, Half Shell Raw Bar, Jack Flat’s, Kaya Island Eats, Goldman’s Deli and on Stock Island, at Chico’s Cantina and Roostica. “There’s so many great places to eat. “
Where he explores: “I like to ride my bike everywhere, I take the side streets, the main paths and sometimes I ride up U.S. Highway 1 to Baby’s Coffee. I’ve biked 165 miles from Miami to Key West when I did the SMART ride fundraiser (twice)!”
How he relaxes: “I love listening to music and watching movies. Relaxing in the comfort of my home, reading a book or writing down my thoughts. I also love the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, just sitting with the butterflies and nature.”
