Jackie Robinson scholars learn all things MLB

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Major League Baseball hosted 28 Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars for a luncheon at MLB Network Studios on Monday.

The students got the chance to hear from several MLB employees, including MLB Network president Rob McGlarry, senior vice president of production Dave Patterson and on-air host Jackie Redmond, along with individuals from HR, PR, Creative Services, Engineering and Operations. Each speaker told his or her story, offering career advice and providing insight into the values of Major League Baseball as they relate to that individual’s department.

The group of scholars ranged across all four years of college and they had the chance to ask questions to ascertain how their own career goals could be fulfilled at Major League Baseball, and other important things to keep in mind during the job-finding process.

“The stories that we heard were fascinating. About grit and tenacity, about learning how to accept someone telling you ‘no,'” student chaperone Harold Allen said. “It’s not just what university you’re going to or what degree you have. But do you have that grit and tenacity? That’s a lesson that Jackie Robinson teaches us ... that’s a lesson that we learn in a lot of the professional development curriculum of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.”

Allen is an alumnus of the program and the current chair of the Pacific Northwest scholarship advisory committee for the Foundation. Allen's connection to Jackie Robinson started young -- he was a member of Jackie Robinson West Little League growing up in Chicago.

For Allen, continuing to be part of the foundation after graduating wasn’t even something he had to think about, which speaks to the Foundation’s power over people.

“The Foundation does an exceptional job of making sure you understand that it’s only through continuing to pay it forward that we’ll continue to be successful for years to come,” Allen said.

Jackie Robinson’s widow, Rachel, established the foundation in 1973, the year after Jackie’s death. The aim of the foundation is to promote equality in education and strengthen the humanitarian values that guided Robinson’s life. Jackie Robinson scholars receive four-year grants for their undergraduate education as well as support in leadership, career searching and an emphasis on service work.

The students heard testimonials to the value of hard work and perseverance. They got a chance to ask questions about the different roles at MLB Network and Major League Baseball as a whole, and to picture themselves in those roles.

For the current students, as for Allen who participated in the scholars program more than 20 years ago, Jackie provides a framework upon which to base their own lives. Bami Ashele, a human biology major and junior at UCLA, which is Robinson’s alma mater, talked about how much he’s learned about Robinson’s impact since joining the program.

“What [Jackie] means to me is having perseverance and strength. Whether it’s that upcoming final or it’s battling a social issue, Jackie Robinson shows the fact that each individual has a power in their own self and that creating a community around you also pushes positivity.”