The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) announced that it will honor cosmetics industry pioneer Bobbi Brown with its ROBIE Humanitarian Award, Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Ambassador Dan Rooney with JRF’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and Vista Equity Partners Founder and CEO Robert F. Smith with the ROBIE Achievement in Industry Award on Monday, March 7, 2016, at its annual ROBIE Awards Dinner in New York City. Each honoree will be recognized for promoting the humanitarian ideals embodied in the life of Jackie Robinson. For over 40 years, the Jackie Robinson Foundation has administered a unique scholarship program that provides four-year grants accompanied by comprehensive support services for high-achieving minority college students. The Foundation is also in the throes of a campaign to build the Jackie Robinson Museum in Lower Manhattan, New York City.
The Foundation’s Awards Dinner will be hosted by actor André Holland, who played sports journalistWendell Smith in the Jackie Robinson biopic “42” and Andrew Young in “Selma”, and currently stars in the hit Cinemax series, “The Knick.” R&B star and three-time Grammy Award nominee Angie Stone will entertain the approximately 1,000 guests expected to attend the Dinner. The evening’s presenters include fashion industry icon Norma Kamali and Founder & CEO of Legendary Pictures Thomas Tull.
“This year’s ROBIE honorees have had a remarkable impact in industry and in communities throughout the world,” said Della Britton, President and CEO of JRF. “As a 43-year old organization committed to empowering young men and women, we are proud to recognize each of them for their bold advocacy for equal opportunity and their demonstrated dedication to improving the lives of others.”
“I have personally experienced the important, positive influence that the Jackie Robinson Foundation has on the lives of so many young people,” said JRF Board Chairman, Gregg Gonsalves, Advisory Partner with Integrated Capital, LLC, and an alumnus of JRF’s preeminent scholarship program. “The awards