Blog 4: Jackie Robinson

When I was about 9 years old, I was given a baseball jersey for my little league team with the number 42. At first, I remember being a little disappointed with the number because it seemed kinda boring and I couldn't find a single player in the major leagues that wore it. After asking my coach why no players wore 42 in the MLB, he told me about Jackie. He told me that Jackie was so special to the game that they retired his jersey and no other player could ever wear it again. Although I didn't quite grasp Jackie’s impact back then, I felt special wearing the number 42 that season. When football season came up a few months later and my coach asked me what number I wanted, I chose 42 again. Season after season I chose 42 and season after season I learned about Jackie. The more I learned, the more proud I was to wear his number whenever I could. 

Today, I think of Jackie as my hero. He represents what it looks like to fight for what is right, to choose a life that creates positive change rather than one of convenience. He represents the idea that societal norms are overrated and often out of date. 

This Juneteenth I’m proud to pledge $1000 to the Jackie Robinson Foundation which helps provide equal opportunities in education for minority youth. They do some really incredible work providing scholarships and leadership training to those who fight against the odds. They are in it for the long haul and support young minds they know will grow to support others. All people deserve a chance of a good education, and organizations like this are fighting to make that a reality.

Thanks for everything Jackie.