On Wednesday, Major League Baseball celebrates the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson, with April 15 marking the 79th anniversary of his historic debut with the Dodgers. While the day is most famously defined by the universal sight of No. 42 in Dodger Blue being worn across every ballpark, this year’s commemoration includes a new creative lens.
As part of the "We Are Jackie" campaign, world-renowned artist Chuck Styles has translated Robinson’s cultural impact into a bold visual expression designed to bridge the gap between the past and the present.
The artwork serves as a centerpiece for a series of initiatives held alongside the Jackie Robinson Foundation and MLB Together. Fans looking to own a piece of this tribute can find seven unique pieces of Styles’ work currently up for auction on MLB’s official auction page. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation, continuing the league’s longstanding mission of supporting the next generation of leaders. Additionally, Styles is donating individual pieces to the Jackie Robinson Training Complex and the Jackie Robinson Museum, ensuring the work remains a permanent fixture of Robinson’s storied history.
Jackie Robinson Day coverage presented by Capital One
• How MLB is commemorating Jackie Robinson Day
• On this annual day of celebration, 'We Are Jackie'
• Top 10 Jackie Robinson Day moments
• A few words from Jackie inspired this former MLB star for life
• 10 significant moments from Jackie's life
• How Jackie's on-field dominance helped lead him to Hall
• Why does Jackie have two Hall of Fame plaques?
• This is what it was like to wear No. 42 every day
• Each club's last player to wear the iconic No. 42
• Robinson Foundation Scholars reinvigorated by visit to MLB HQ
For Styles, creating the piece was an opportunity to explore the universal nature of Robinson's perseverance beyond the baseball diamond.
"'We Are Jackie,' what it means to me is sharing Jackie Robinson's story with everyone because he is an American legend, an American icon," Styles said. "The message behind the artwork is, simply put, we are Jackie."
The piece features a diverse community standing behind Robinson, representing different races, genders and generations, all unified by his courage. The artwork intentionally mirrors the unity seen on the field every April 15, when team colors are set aside in favor of the iconic No. 42 rendered in Dodger Blue across every uniform. Styles uses his digital process on an iPad to capture the evolution of the piece in real time, blending modern artistry with a narrative that began nearly eight decades ago.
"Everybody [is connected] in some way, no matter what first [challenges] people are going through, Jackie was the first to be in unknown territory and help show that it's possible [to overcome]. That we can do things together," Styles said.
The "We Are Jackie" campaign is being featured across MLB Network, MLB.com, and national broadcast partners, but the artwork specifically highlights the human element of Robinson's journey. By showing a wide demographic of supporters in the background of the piece, Styles emphasizes that while Robinson was the one breaking the color barrier on the field, his impact was a collective victory for all.
"When you look at the artwork and see the community supporting him, different races, different ethnicities, different genders, different age demographics, it's all to show the impact of what Jackie Robinson did," Styles said. "Breaking the color barrier, but also just to inspire and show people that it's OK to be the first."
By placing these commemorative pieces in the hands of fans and in the halls of the Jackie Robinson Museum, the league is ensuring that the spirit of 1947 remains a living part of the game’s future. For Styles, the project was a way to remind the public that the work of progress is an ongoing, shared responsibility.
"We are more alike than we are different," Styles said.
Fans interested in bidding on the "We Are Jackie" collection or viewing the accompanying memorabilia can visit MLB’s official auction site.