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Jackie Robinson Foundation Announces Jackie Robinson Centennial Celebration in 2019The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) will commemorate the one hundredth birthday of its namesake with a year-long schedule of events in 2019 that will benefit the organization's scholarship and education programs as well as the future Jackie Robinson Museum. As announced today by JRF President Della Britton Baeza, the Foundation will host the year-long Jackie Robinson Centennial Celebration beginning with an exclusive photograph exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York that opens January 31st, Robinson's birthdate. Various other events will take place in several cities throughout the year, including a speakers' series, a jazz concert, and a traveling artifact exhibit, all designed to tease elements of the Jackie Robinson Museum that will open in New York City in December 2019. "It has been our family's dream to have a physical space where my father's legacy and the values and ideals by which he lived could inspire others. A year of specially-designed, celebratory events is a terrific way to shepherd in that dream and lead up to the opening of the Jackie Robinson Museum," said Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson and Vice Chair of the Jackie Robinson Foundation board of directors. "We are excited to shine a light on my father's life, while raising funds to continue to positively impact the lives of others." Major League Baseball has signed on as a sponsor of the Jackie Robinson Centennial Celebration and the annual Jackie Robinson Day festivities that will take place on April 15, 2019, in ballparks across the country will be included on the rostr of Centennial Celebration events next year. "The contributions of Jackie and Rachel Robinson helped propel our country through challenging times in the past and, through dynamic programming at the Jackie Robinson Museum, the Robinson legacy will continue to promote brotherhood and first-class citizenship for all," said Baeza. "The Jackie Robinson Centennial Celebration will tout themes of teamwork and fair play as we usher in the opening of the Jackie Robinson Museum in 2019." A special Jackie Robinson Centennial Celebration logo has been designed by Bosack & Company and will be featured on an exclusive line of headwear by New Era Cap, and incorporated into JRF's social media channels and collateral materials throughout the centennial campaign. About the Jackie Robinson Foundation For 45 years, the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) has continued Robinson's commitment to equal opportunity by addressing the achievement gap in higher education and is poised to expand his rich legacy with the opening of the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City in December 2019. Founded in 1973 by Rachel Robinson, JRF has advanced higher education for minority students by providing generous, four-year scholarships and comprehensive support services to highly motivated minority students attending colleges and universities throughout the country. JRF's efforts have led to a consistent 98% graduation rate among JRF Scholars, which is more than twice the national average for African American college students. The 1,500 JRF alumni are leaders in their communities and across a broad range of professional fields -and are true ambassadors of Jackie Robinson's legacy of service and humanitarianism. JRF has disbursed over $85 million in grants and direct program support to students who have attended over 260 different colleges and universities across the country. Expanding its mission of education and the Robinson legacy, JRF is engaged in constructing the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City to open in December 2019. The Museum, which will include a robust online component, will chronicle Jackie Robinson storied athletic career and his social impact across society through artifacts, state-of-the-art exhibits, film and other media, and interactive programming. This physical tribute to Jackie Robinson will serve as a destination for those seeking innovative, educational programming and a place for vibrant dialogue on critical social issues. For more information, visit www.JackieRobinson.org
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