The City of Carbondale proudly presents Carbondale Game Changers, a fun family-friendly event celebrating the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson on Sunday, June 29^th at MTN Dew Park. This event is part of the Freedom to Freedom Juneteenth Celebration Series.

Jackie Robinson made history in 1947 when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first African American to play Major League Baseball, marking the end of racial segregation in professional baseball. That same year, Robinson was also awarded the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award. Beyond his athletic talent, Robinson’s courage and conviction reshaped American culture and helped pave the way for change on and off of the field.

Embracing the theme “swing big, dream bigger,” the Carbondale Game Changers event will educate local youth on the history of America’s national pastime and the influence Jackie Robinson had on the sport. The event will encourage youth and their family members to dream boldly about how they, too, can be future “game changers” and make a positive difference in our community.

Youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Illinois and I Can Read will join Mayor Harvey and the City of Carbondale at MTN Dew Park to learn about the legacy of Jackie Robinson and watch the Thrillville Thrillbillies take on the Danville Dans.

Carbondale Game Changers is supported by Healing Illinois. Healing Illinois is a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois and the Southern Illinois Community Foundation. To learn more about the Healing Illinois initiative click here.