We celebrated African American Music Month and Juneteenth with a special tribute to the Robinson family’s legendary An Afternoon of Jazz concerts.  This intergenerational program featured museum tours, interactive jazz performances with Jazz at Lincoln Center, and hands-on activities that honored the legacy of the concerts and explored African American music, past and present.

What’s Happening

Interactive Jazz Performance – Join Jazz at Lincoln Center vocalist and educator Goussy Celestin as she leads an exciting quartet in a series of family-friendly interactive performances celebrating Jazz! Be sure to join us to sing, move, and listen to this incredible music.

Interactive jazz performances presented by

Museum Tours – African American Music Month meets our “Third Thursday” tour series. For this special event, the custom-designed tour will highlight the intersections between Jackie Robinson’s life and legacy and African American music in the 20th century.

An Afternoon of Jazz Collection Showcase – Get a peek at posters, buttons, photos, and video clips from the famed Robinson An Afternoon of Jazz concerts.

An Afternoon of Jazz: Share your Story – Do you have photos, ephemera, or memories from attending the original An Afternoon of Jazz concerts? Bring it in to share with us! (We may ask to scan or copy your item(s) to preserve a record of them in the Museum’s archive or record a short video sharing your memory, but you are neither expected or required to donate your original materials.)

Hands-on activities, including making musical instruments

Sensory-friendly Quiet Zone available

Event Notes

Groups are welcome – submit a request and mention your interest in this program.

All youth must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s An Afternoon of Jazz?

Get the scoop on the history of the Robinsons’ famed concert series in our recent blog post and in the highlight video below.

Let’s Play Ball! Celebrating the 80th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s signing with the legendary Kansas City Monarchs, join us to explore the history, impact, and legacy of Black Baseball—from the 19th century to the height of the Negro Leagues and in the game today — through intergenerational tours, games and activities.

What’s Happening?

Join us anytime between 12:00 and 3:00 PM for ongoing activities including:

• An all-new museum scavenger hunt, challenging visitors of all ages to dig into Black baseball stories in the gallery
• Educator stations highlighting key events and individuals that shaped the history of Black baseball
• Interactive games – test your knowledge or learn something new!
• Picture Book Story time (offered on the hour)

Special Guests

Learn about the history of recently-restored Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ, which played host to significant Negro Leagues baseball and stars such as Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, Monte Irvin, and Larry Doby.

1:00 – 2:00PM – Take a photo with fan favorites Mr. and Mrs. Met, thanks to our friends at the New York Mets.

 

Join Us

Drop-in activities are designed for kids (ages 5 and up) and adults alike. This event is included with regular museum admission and free for museum members (join here). All children must be accompanied by an adult; this is not a drop-off program.

Groups are welcome! For groups of 10 or more, complete the group visit request form and note your interest in this program.

Spread the Word

Download flyer to share this event with your community.

Plan your next visit around our guided museum tours, offered on the third Thursday of the month and included with museum admission. Here’s your chance to get the stories behind the artifacts on view, chat with our staff, and connect with fellow guests!

Stopping by over lunch? Bring it with you and enjoy it in the Museum’s Portrait Gallery following your tour.

GET TICKETS

What to Expect

Led by Museum staffers, “Third Thursday” tours start at 1:00pm and last approximately 30 minutes and include a selection of highlight stories and one-of-kind artifacts on view in the Museum. Tour content and themes may vary month-to-month, so check the schedule below and consider joining us regularly!

These tours are included with museum admission and have a capacity of up to 20 guests. Walk-ins are welcome, but advance reservation is encouraged.

Third Thursday tours are intended to bring together individual visitors and small groups. Complete the form here if you’re interested in a private tour for your group of 10 or more.

Mark Your Calendars

“Third Thursday” tours take place monthly. Mark your calendars for the following Spring-Summer 2025 dates:

January 16, 2025 – Museum Highlights – Learn the stories behind the artifacts and exhibitions on view at the museum.

February 20, 2025 – Black History Month – Explore Jackie Robinson’s life and achievements alongside monumental events and figures of the 20th century.

March 20, 2025 – Women’s History Month – Meet the women who inspired and influenced Jackie Robinson as athletes, activists, and changemakers!

April 17, 2025 – Jackie Robinson Day – Dig into the stories and events surrounding Robinson’s historic debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947!

May 15, 2025 – Museum Highlights – Learn the stories behind the artifacts and exhibitions on view at the museum.

June 19, 2025 – African American Music Month – Third Thursdays meets An Afternoon of Jazz, our tribute to the Robinson family’s legendary concert series. This tour will be part of our afternoon of special programming on June 19 (learn more).

July 17, 2025 – A Celebration of Rachel Robinson – Meet Rachel (Isum) Robinson and trace her influence and impact from her childhood to today ahead of her 103rd birthday on July 19. 

Third Thursdays will resume in October 2025. Check back soon for the Fall schedule and tickets!

Make it a Lunch Date

Local employees, fit the Jackie Robinson Museum into your lunch break! Tour tickets include access to the Museum’s Portrait Gallery (not usually open to the public) for 30 minutes following your tour. Bring your lunch and enjoy with fellow museum-goers before heading back to the office.

 

Join us for sensory-friendly hours at the Jackie Robinson Museum, held on the first Friday afternoon of each month and specially designed for neurodivergent visitors, including youth and their families, teens, and adults. ACCESS JRM Fridays will feature limited general admission for reduced crowds and quieter gallery spaces with exhibit audio reduced or silenced.

ACCESS JRM will resume in Fall 2025. Check back in the summer for confirmed dates.

What to Expect

In addition to our KultureCity resources available at all times, ACCESS JRM hours will include availability of a dedicated quiet zone and interpretive offerings such as tours, picture book readings, and tactile learning opportunities for inclusive exploration. All age groups are welcome!

ACCESS JRM is mostly a self-guided experience and not designed as a drop-off activity. All children and youth ticket holders must be accompanied by an adult.

Mark Your Calendars

ACCESS JRM takes place monthly. Mark your calendars for the following Spring 2025 dates:

• January 3, 2025
• February 7, 2025
• March 7, 2025 (Time Adjustment: On March 7, 2025, Access JRM will be offered between 4:00 and 6:00PM.)
• April 4, 2025
• May 2, 2025 (Time Adjustment: On May 2, 2025, Access JRM will be offered between 3:00 and 5:00pm)
• June 6, 2025

ACCESS JRM will resume in Fall 2025. Check back in the summer for confirmed dates.

Planning to visit this summer? We offer reduced gallery audio and a dedicated sensory-friendly area on Fridays from 3PM to 5PM on an as-requested basis. Reserve your tickets and let us know with at least one week’s notice by emailing [email protected].  

Preparing for your visit

To learn more about accessibility at the Jackie Robinson Museum, view Accessibility and Accommodations on the Visit page of our website. If you have questions or require enhanced accommodations, please email [email protected] with at least two weeks notice from the date you are planning to visit for ACCESS JRM.

Review our Social Narrative to learn about our Museum and what to expect in the galleries.

Tickets

ACCESS JRM is included with regular admission fees.

$18 Adults
$15 Youth, Seniors, College Students
$15 Visitors with Disabilities (care partner free of charge)

ACCESS JRM is free for museum members.

Group Recommendations

• A group discount of $1 off regular admission is available for groups of 10 or more (ACCESS JRM Hours only)
• Recommended group size is up to 20 guests (including staff, care partners, etc.)
• Group reservations require a 25% deposit, with the remaining balance due on the day of the visit.

To request a group visit, complete this brief form to tell us more and we’ll be in touch! Questions about accommodating your group? Email [email protected].

 

“Whether we recognize it or not, our greatest asset is our vote – if we use it in the most effective manner.”

National Voter Registration Day is September 17!

Learn more about this initiative and how you can get involved.

At the Museum

Check your voter status or get registered using the Museum’s new voter registration kiosk in the lobby. We’ll have this resource available during the Museum’s regular hours, now through the November 5 election and beyond.

Online

Don’t wait! Get inspired by Jackie Robinson’s lifelong commitment to engaged citizenship while you check your voter registration status, register to vote, and set election reminders using the VOTE.org tools on our website.

 

Leveling the Playing Field: Women in Soccer pays tribute to Jackie Robinson’s barrier-breaking legacy by highlighting how women of color are changing the landscape of the world’s game today. Our panel of players, coaches, journalists, and executives will explore the growing presence for women of color on the US Women’s National Team and in the National Women’s Soccer League in recent years, pay equity, representation in front office and team ownership roles, and career pathways for girls and young women as players and beyond.

View selected clips from this event

Meet the Panelists:

Darian Jenkins, Broadcast analyst, former NWSL player, and member of the Black Women’s Player Collective
Between 2017 and 2023, Darian Jenkins played professionally in France and Australia and with the North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Orlando Pride and Kansas City in the NWSL, winning an NWSL championship in 2018 with North Carolina. Jenkins also won a national championship in college with the UCLA Bruins. She is currently serving as a CBS Sports analyst on “Attacking Third,” “Morning Footy,” and “Box to Box” on the Golazo Network covering soccer globally and analyst on ION covering NWSL matches every Saturday and a color analyst for MSG local broadcast. Jenkins previously served as Gotham FC chief of staff.

Danita Johnson,  President, Business Operations, DC United
Danita Johnson is a seasoned sports and entertainment executive and member of Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2023 and ESSENCE Power 40 Class of 2023. Johnson serves as the President of Business Operations for Major League Soccer’s most decorated club, D.C. United, a role she has held since January 2021. Notably, she is the first Black President of an MLS Club and only the third woman in league history to serve in this role. Prior to joining D.C. United, Johnson had 15 years of experience in the sports industry, including several roles in the WNBA, NBA, and NBA G League, specializing in revenue generation, community programs, and digital media and marketing.

Kia McNeill, Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, Brown University
Now in her eighth season as head coach, Kia McNeill leads the 4-peat undefeated Ivy League Champion women’s soccer team at Brown University (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), where she has also been recognized twice as Ivy League Coach of the Year and East Region Coach of the Year. McNeill comes to her coaching career after a decorated college and professional playing career. McNeill was a four-year starter at Boston College, where she was the eighth all-time leading scorer, and a professional player in Sweden, Russia, and the US between 2008 and 2014.

Bekah Salwasser, Executive Director, Red Sox Foundation & Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Boston Red Sox; former professional soccer player, Boston Breakers
Bekah Salwasser has dedicated her career to serving the community through promoting and amplifying social justice initiatives. She has been involved with various nonprofits including Scholar Athletes, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, and the Lacrosse and Learning Center. As Executive Vice President, Social Impact for the Red Sox, Bekah continues to champion and advocate for equity and inclusion through the Foundation’s giving strategies, programming, fundraising, sponsorships, and capacity building that help build the brand and strengthen the impact of the Foundation within the New England community. Bekah brings her experience as an athlete to her work around sports and social justice. Salwasser played collegiate soccer for Brown University before playing professionally for the USL W-League Boston Renegades and the WUSA Boston Breakers.

Renee Washington, PHLY Sports host, ESPN and NWSL Analyst (Moderator)
Renee Washington is a sports reporter and analyst that works with PHLY Sports hosting daily shows on the Philadelphia Union and Phillies. She is an analyst with MSG Networks and CBS Sports covering the NWSL. She has also worked as a college reporter with ESPN as a sideline reporter and analyst. The Ewing, NJ native has covered all sports collegiately or professionally through work with the NBA, MLB, WNBA, NFL, NLL, MLS, and NWSL. In her playing career, Renee is a former three-time all-American and soccer hall of famer from La Salle University. She had an opportunity to play with Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC) before becoming a coach at Lehigh University where she received her masters.

Tickets

$25 Adults
$20 Seniors/Youth/College Students/Visitors with disabilities
$15 Museum members (join here)

Tickets include Museum Admission from 5:00 – 6:00PM and light refreshments in addition to the panel discussion.

Special Offer from NJ/NY Gotham FC

Special offer from NJ/NY Gotham FC! Leveling The Playing Field: Women in Soccer event attendees will be eligible to redeem two complimentary tickets to your choice of Gotham FC home games in June, first come first served.

Sponsorship

Presenting Sponsor of Leveling the Playing Field: Sheila Johnson Foundation

Interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Contact [email protected].

Leveling the Playing Field: Women in Baseball pays tribute to Jackie Robinson’s barrier-breaking legacy by highlighting how women of color are stepping up to the plate across the sport of baseball today. An all-star line-up of panelists will discuss their journeys as players, businesswomen, and sports journalists and address the barriers that still exist for women—and particularly women of color—in “America’s pastime” today. Looking ahead, they’ll discuss how to open more equitable pathways for girls and women of future generations in the dugout, press box, and front office.

Tickets are currently only available for the public panel discussion program at 6:30PM.

Select your Session

TEEN TALK, 3:30PM

AJ Andrews, Pro Softball Player & MLB Network Host

Mo’ne Davis, Aspiring Women’s Sports Owner, former Little League World Series pitcher and Hampton University softball player

Misha Hurd, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Major League Baseball

Taking place after school, this session is designed for middle and high school students and will offer a chance to hear from selected panelists and ask questions. This session will be targeted to student athletes and youth interested in sports careers, but all teens welcome!

• Individual tickets for the Teen Talk are $15 per person.
• Team/Group rate also available. A flat rate of $249 includes up to 20 youth and 3 adults.
• Adult tickets are only available if accompanying youth. To keep the Teen Talk teen-centered, adults are welcome to visit the Jackie Robinson Museum during the program.

NOTE: Tickets for the Teen Talk are no longer available.

PANEL DISCUSSION, 6:30PM

AJ Andrews, Pro Softball Player & MLB Network Host

Mo’ne Davis, Aspiring Women’s Sports Owner, former Little League World Series pitcher and Hampton University softball player

Wendy Lewis, CEO and Founder, Wendy Lewis LLC, former Senior VP, Diversity and Strategic Alliances, Major League Baseball

Amber Sabathia, Agent-CAA Baseball, Co-Founder & Executive Director, PitCCh In Foundation

Moderator: Shakeia Taylor, Deputy Senior Content Editor, Sports, Chicago Tribune

This evening session welcomes industry professionals, college athletes, and fans of all ages to join us for this one-of-a-kind event on the future of women as a growing force in the game of baseball.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Sheila C. Johnson Foundation

Interested in other opportunities to support this series? Contact [email protected].

Download the flyer to share this event with your community.

Join us to explore the legacy of baseball legend Yogi Berra through a screening of the 2023 documentary, It Ain’t Over—now nominated for two Critics Choice Documentary Awards. The panel discussion following the screening will take a closer look at the intersecting careers of Berra and Jackie Robinson beyond their iconic collision at home plate in Game One of the 1955 World Series, including their experiences and actions serving the United States during World War II.

SOLD OUT!

Featured Panelists

The panel discussion following the screening will feature Howard Bryant (author and senior writer, ESPN), Lindsay Berra (granddaughter of Yogi Berra, sports journalist, and film producer), and Sean Mullin (director of It Ain’t Over), along with other special guests.

Event Schedule

5:00 PM – Exclusive opportunity to explore the Jackie Robinson Museum, plus pre-screening refreshments

6:00 – It Ain’t Over Screening

7:30 PM – Panel Discussion

Member Discounts Available

Jackie Robinson Museum Members, verify your membership for discounted tickets.

Yogi Berra Museum Members, enter the promo code you received for discounted tickets.

Download the flyer to share this event with your community.

This program is presented in collaboration with the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center.

WALKING TOUR AND DIGITAL RESOURCE

Jackie Robinson’s Harlem brings to light Jackie Robinson’s multifaceted and decades-long engagement with Harlem as an athlete, citizen, activist, businessman, and family man. Explore sites including Jackie Robinson Park, Freedom National Bank, and the Jackie Robinson Clothing Store and re-discover lesser known stories like that of the first Jackie Robinson Day and Robinson’s relationship with high profile Harlem leaders like Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Malcolm X.

EXPLORE TODAY

TWO WAYS TO EXPLORE:

Self-guided walking tour
Get the app on the App Store or Google Play for everything you need to explore the walking tour on your own or together with friends or family.

   

Online
Virtually visit Harlem from any mobile or desktop device to explore the featured sites and stories: https://jackierobinsonmuseum.stqry.app/1/tour/20329

RECORRIDO A PIE Y RECURSO DIGITAL

El Harlem de Jackie Robinson saca a la luz el compromiso multifacético y de décadas de Jackie Robinson con Harlem como atleta, ciudadano, activista, hombre de negocios y hombre de familia. Explora sitios como el Parque Jackie Robinson, el Banco Nacional de la Libertad y la Tienda de Ropa Jackie Robinson y redescubre historias menos conocidas como la del primer Día de Jackie Robinson y la relación de Robinson con líderes de alto perfil de Harlem como Adam Clayton Powell Jr. y Malcolm X.

DOS MANERAS DE EXPLORAR:

Recorrido autoguiado a pie
Obtén la aplicación en App Store o Google Play para todo lo que necesitas para explorar el recorrido a pie a solas o junto con amigos, amigas o familiares.

     

En línea
Visita a Harlem virtualmente desde cualquier dispositivo móvil o de escritorio para explorar los sitios e historias importantes: https://jackierobinsonmuseum.stqry.app/es/1

Bestselling author Jonathan Eig (Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Season) joins us to discuss his newest book, KING: A Life, a monumental new biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. that draws on hundreds of interviews and newly released archival collections including FBI files.

5:30 – Author meet-and-greet
6:30 – Panel discussion
7:30 – Book signing

There are two ticketing tiers available for this event. Both include the panel discussion.

Author Meet-and-Greet + Panel Discussion ($100 per person)
Join us for a pre-event author meet-and-greet reception (5:30PM) where you will have the chance to meet author Jonathan Eig and have your book signed, then stay for the panel discussion (6:30PM). One copy of KING, A Life included with ticket price.

Panel Discussion + Book Signing ($30 per person)
Join us for the panel discussion (6:30PM) and stay for a post-event book signing (7:30PM). Option to purchase a copy of KING, A Life.

Museum members, verify your membership in the checkout to receive a 15% discount.