NMAAHC

Frank Robinson, MLB’s First Black Manager and Hall of Famer Dies at 83

First-ballot Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who was Major League Baseball’s first Black manager, has died at the age of 83 after a prolonged battle with bone cancer. Robinson is one of the most groundbreaking figures in MLB history. He heavily impacted the integration of Black players into the league. Nearly a decade after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1946, Robinson broke into the majors earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1956 while playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture: Telling America’s Story   

“It is the purpose of the National Memorial Association; to erect a beautiful building suitable to depict the egro’s contribution to America in the military service, in art, literature, invention, science, industry, ect.-fitting tribute to the Negro’s contributions and achievements, and which would serve as an educational center giving inspiration and pride to the present and future generations that they may be inspired to follow the examples of those who have aided in the advancement of the race and Nation..” – National Memorial Association, 1915

Donors, Sponsors Generously Support African-American History Museum

Sponsorships and donations have been pouring into the new Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), which is set to open on Sept. 24 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Most recently, the popular 1990s R&B group En Vogue donated their performance-worn dresses to the museum. “Our dresses from the ‘Never Gonna Get It/My Lovin’ video and the ‘Giving Him Something He Can Feel’ video will be debuting in the Smithsonian African American History museum on September 24,” group member Terry Ellis said. “So, we’re really super excited about that.” NBA Icon Michael Jordan also announced this