This yr marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Jackie Robinson Basis (JRF) in addition to the Los Angeles Dodgers Basis’s (LADF) 10 years Reimagined Anniversary. To have a good time the milestone, LADF honored 10 Dodgers Basis JRF students at Dodgers Stadium throughout Jackie Robinson Day.
That is additionally a particular yr for LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman, she was a JRF scholar rising up. The alternatives she gained via JRF have allowed her to supply assets and entry to youth and households in Southern California.
“I take into consideration all of the organizations that supported me just like the Jackie Robinson basis and opened these doorways to make Nichol Whiteman doable,” she stated. “I’m much more happy with the final 10 years, how we supported so many people who I really feel have been similar to me, who finally now have a lot extra entry and alternative.”
Previous to the Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs recreation on Jackie Robinson Day, Whiteman addressed the gamers on each groups and launched them to the JRF students.
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“[Robinson] was a trailblazer who stated no matter pores and skin coloration everyone ought to simply see everyone and everyone ought to have some alternative,” Whiteman stated. “It truly is asking ourselves constantly what would Jackie do and I requested myself that constantly.”
Yearly, the JRF Fund selects 10 students and helps them via their 4 years in faculty. Whiteman talked about the way it’s a mentoring and management program.
“One of many issues that it’s important to love in regards to the Jackie Robinson Basis and the mission that we align with is that faculty entry is essential, however faculty success is essential,” Whiteman stated. “Seeing children via faculty and actually getting a chance to supply them with the advantages and the alternatives and the networking circles that they want alongside the way in which is how you discover success in commencement charges.”
Being a JRF scholar helped Whiteman attend Spelman, which led her to working for Essence Journal and on Wall Road. The JRF Fund additionally allowed Whiteman to be mentored by the Robinson household. Whiteman famous how they have been invested within the educational, social, and emotional success of the students.
“I took the scholarship not realizing that it will be a networking and management growth weekend yearly,” Whiteman stated. “That it will imply I might actually be sitting in a room with Rachel and Sharon and David Robinson, basically pouring into us as students, main household classes.”
Whiteman began her tenure with LADF in 2013 and has labored to amplify the voices in marginalized communities. A predominant focus was to make intentional programming that was accessible to marginalized households and to seek out methods for Dodgers followers to get entangled with fundraising.
“It was about ensuring that Los Angeles is aware of that there’s an arm inside our franchise that’s displaying up for the group,” Whiteman stated.
One of many packages that LADF spearheads is Dodgers Dreamteam, previously often called Dodgers RBI. This yr, this system offered 12,000 youth a chance to play baseball and softball in addition to wraparound providers, from schooling to well being.
LADF will even be unveiling their 59th and sixtieth Dodger Dreamfields at Edward Vincent Park this month.
