Jackie Robinson

 Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. The dramatic story of how Branch Rickey defied the baseball establishment by promoting to the major leagues the first African American players ever to walk on the field is a fascinating story.

However, Jackie Robinson is more than just a symbol of integration.  First, he was a great baseball player. A great, great player. And then we have to recognize that Jackie Robinson was a decidedly complex and interesting man both on and off the field. As the baseball overlords knew, very few men could have stood up against the pressure that he faced.   Jackie Robinson’s passionate involvement in the civil rights movement, his advocacy of minority entrepreneurship, his involvement in the political world as well as the business world each create a clearer and more complete picture of an important man.

We will examine both the famous story of his rise to the major leagues as well as the private story of what he had to overcome on the path to sports greatness, including his court-martial during World War II for standing up to racism!.

 Important note: registration is required. There is a small fee to attend if you are not a member of the Highland Park Senior Center. Please contact the venue for information or assistance in the registration process.