Jackie Robinson honored by talented young Alabama player
Huntsville native Ayanna Jacobs-El, a Berklee College of Music student and recipient of a scholarship from the Jackie Robinson Foundation, has released an album called "Metamorphosis." (Caught You on Camera)
Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to cross Major League Baseball’s color line, became a symbol of poise and professionalism under pressure.
Today, his name and legacy are being passed to a new generation of young people eager to show the world what they can do.
The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) awards scholarships to outstanding and motivated high school students of color to attend a four-year college or university of their choice.
One recipient from Alabama definitely has the tools to play.
Ayanna Jacobs-El is a sophomore at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. The Huntsville native received the Jackie Robinson scholarship in 2014.
“He set the tone for what we all should do in giving back to the community,” she said of Robinson. “Even though he was such a prominent figure, he never let that get to him. He always wanted to help the little guy.”
All JRF students must perform community service. Jacobs-El, who volunteered by teaching music lessons and doing music outreach performances in high school, now teaches flute and saxophone for free to students in Boston and is a sound engineer and instructor at the South End Technology Center.
“Ayanna embodies the total-student experience and exemplary citizenship that we have come to expect from JRF Scholars,” said foundation president and CEO Della Britton Baeza.
According to Baeza, the scholarships are meant to “level the playing field in education and promote the humanitarian values that defined Robinson’s life.”
Jacobs-El tries to live those values.
“I admire how he was able to keep his composure and not fight back even when people were saying rude things or attacking him, because he saw the greater good,” she said.
“I fortunately did not face what he did,” she added. “But if I did, I would look to how he handled adversity and try to let that be my model.”
Of course, Jackie Robinson was more than a symbol. He was a dynamic ballplayer who won the Rookie of the Year award in 1947 and was named Most Valuable Player in 1949. He made six All-Star teams and was selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jacobs-El is another dynamic player. The dual major (contemporary writing and production; professional music) recorded an album, “Metamorphosis,” in her own rookie (freshman) year, composing, arranging and producing all songs. She sings lead vocals and plays alto saxophone alongside other Berklee student musicians.
“Time to Make a Change” and “Freedom” are standout cuts on the breezy, jazzy album. It’s available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Amazon.com.
“I’d love to write for other artists, TV shows, commercials and films. I also want to help spread a positive message throughout the world by touring and performing my own music,” said Jacobs-El. “And I want to give back by providing guidance for younger students.”
“She is just so inspiring,” said Baeza.
To follow Ayanna Jacobs-El on her musical journey, log onto http://www.ayannajacobsel.com/
More than 3,500 qualified high school seniors apply annually for a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholarship. Its students boast a 98 percent graduation rate. The foundation has awarded more than $65 million in grants and services over 42 years.
April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day, the 69th anniversary of Robinson’s Major League debut. All baseball players, coaches and managers will wear his number 42 on their jerseys.
