Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was named the recipient of the 2021 Brotherhood Award, which will be presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood on Friday during a free multimedia event.
Roberts will be recognized along with vice chair of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, author and MLB consultant Sharon Robinson, who is receiving the Human Dignity Award. Stedman Graham is serving as the keynote speaker.
“The Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Celebration Breakfast is a Los Angeles institution, and I’m honored to receive the Brotherhood Award and share the stage with two dear friends and community leaders – Sharon Robinson and Stedman Graham,” Roberts said.
“I’ve long admired The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles’ mission and impact, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join them in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy in our community and beyond.”
Robinson added: “I am thrilled to be honored during the 50th anniversary MLK celebration alongside our friend and extraordinary team manager, Dave Roberts. I’d like to thank Nichol Whiteman, the Dodgers Foundation, and the YMCA of Metro Los Angeles.
“In the midst of a pandemic and international protests against racial injustice, the Dodgers prevailed bringing us home a World Series Championship and hope.”
The Celebration Breakfast has been a tradition at the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles for several decades. This year marks the 50th annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and the movement for social justice and equality, which Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts and other Dodgers continue to carry out to this day.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual event will be live streamed from the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles. The Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) joined as partners to help deliver this year’s celebration as a live stream.
“Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King reflects our unwavering commitment to the fight for equality,” Dodgers Foundation CEO Nichol Whiteman said.
“While we have made tremendous strides, our nation operates as two Americas, one where Black people and other marginalized groups are denied the full liberties under the constitution. As we emerge from a year that has stretched our physical and emotional limits, we will continue the fight thanks to leaders like Dave Roberts and Sharon Robinson who fearlessly advocate in charting the path ahead.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation provided gifts, essential services
Throughout the past year the LADF continued to give back to local communities that were heavily impacted by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. That included gifts and essential services during the holiday season.
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