MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins and the Miami Marlins Foundation will celebrate the legacy of Jackie Robinson, who broke the game’s color barrier on April 15, 1947 and fought for social justice and racial equality during his career, with special events this week to impact South Florida youth.

• The celebration begins with two virtual events for the afterschool programs at Boys & Girls Clubs in Palm Beach County and Urgent, Inc. Marlins prospects Nasim Nunez, Thomas Jones, Brady Puckett, Lorenzo Hampton, Bryson Brigman, and Sean Reynolds will lead conversations with the students, focused on the impact Jackie Robinson had on the game of baseball and the civil rights movement. The students will also watch a video to learn about Jackie’s life. URGENT, Inc. is a Miami-based youth and community development organization, established in 1994, dedicated to empowering young minds to transform their communities.

• With the support of Nike, the Miami Marlins Foundation will launch the inaugural season of Jr. RBI at Gwen Cherry Park in Liberty City presented by UHealth-The University of Miami Health System. Opening Day will take place on the week of April 26.

• The Marlins will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day at loanDepot park on Friday, April 16, with first pitch between Miami and the San Francisco Giants set for 7:10 p.m. All Marlins players and Giants players will wear jersey’s with Jackie’s No. 42. 

The Marlins organization has taken an active role in the call for social change and equality, including a previously announced $420,000 donation to the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) with a focus on empowering South Florida youth. The substantial contribution supports the JRF Scholarship program, yielding a $20,000 annual four-year scholarship for a deserving outstanding African American student from South Florida that demonstrates Jackie’s nine values. With the support of Nike, the organization will be awarding its first scholarship in the fall of 2021. Fans can learn about the scholarship and the organization’s additional actions around social justice through a new engaging and interactive display at loanDepot park on the Promenade Level near Section 16.

Miami has integrated Jackie Robinson’s legacy into the organization’s mission and principles, cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment for staff and the community at large. Each year, the Marlins recognize the Jackie Robinson Employee of the Year for the front office staff member that best exhibits Jackie’s nine values. In addition, the Marlins have hosted intimate conversations about the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson with members of 5000 Role Models, Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and students from Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In 2019, a beautification project was organized by the team to inspire students at Charles Drew K-8 Center in Liberty City with a Jackie Robinson-themed mural.

For more information on the organization’s effort in promoting social justice and racial equality, please visit Marlins.com/SocialJustice.