Bronx Children’s Museum Celebrates Jackie Robinson Day with New Sensory Wall Honoring Black Yankees and Mets Legends as Children
- john29823
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
Bronx, NY — On the eve of Jackie Robinson Day, the Bronx Children’s Museum unveiled a groundbreaking new exhibit that honors the childhood journeys of legendary Black baseball players from the New York Yankees and New York Mets. The Exhibiting Possibilities Sensory Wall—developed in partnership with The Players Alliance to pay tribute to the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets—was celebrated in a private event on Saturday, April 12, with appearances by players, partners, and families.
The permanent installation features life-size digital baseball card portraits of 22 players, including Willie Randolph, Jazz Chisholm, Curtis Granderson, Aaron Judge, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, and Dave Winfield. Each card reimagines the athlete as a child—before the stadium lights, before the championships—highlighting the hopes and dreams that shaped their path.
On site for the event were CC Sabathia, Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson, Gary Sheffield, Willie Randolph and Butch Huskey. Jackie Robinson's son, Dave Robinson and granddaughter Rachel Robinson were also in attendance.
“Every legend was once a kid,” said Denise Adusei, Executive Director of the Bronx Children’s Museum. “We wanted to show children that the greatest players in the game were once just like them—running through parks, playing catch, and imagining what was possible.”
Designed with sensory elements for learners of all abilities, the wall features tactile baseball textures, mirrored “Legend in You” panels, and interactive baseball-themed art activities. The exhibit also includes a new mural by Bronx artist André Trenier, and digital portraits by Berka Ngong, combining traditional and digital techniques.
“It was important to me that each image felt honest, like a memory or a flashback,” said Berka Ngong, the Museum’s Digital Art Director. “We weren’t just illustrating athletes—we were celebrating their roots, their identities, and the little moments that shaped their dreams.”
“This mural is deeply rooted in where I’m from,” said André Trenier, who painted the exhibit’s mural of boys playing ball outside Yankee Stadium. “Growing up in the Bronx, I was surrounded by the legacy of the Yankees. To contribute to something that reflects both pride in our community and the dreams of our kids is incredibly meaningful.”
Among the guests at the unveiling was Tristen Lee Dixon, a ten-year-old Little Leaguer and the inspiration behind one of the mural’s central figures. Standing in front of his likeness, Tristen smiled and said, “That’s me on the wall, but one day I’ll be on one of the cards.”
During the event, players stood beside their child-sized portraits, took photos with families, and reflected on the impact of being seen—not just as athletes, but as young dreamers from neighborhoods like the Bronx.
The unveiling took place just days before Jackie Robinson Day, celebrated across Major League Baseball every April 15. Robinson’s story and number—42—are also featured in the exhibit, anchoring the experience with a tribute to the barrier-breaking icon who changed the game forever.
The exhibit also contributes to closing the tech gap in the Bronx, where access to creative technology is often limited for youth.
“This project is not only about honoring legacy—it’s about exposure and access,” said John Boudreau, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Bronx Children’s Museum. “By using digital tools to produce these stories, we’re showing kids in the Bronx that technology isn’t just something they consume—it’s a resource they can create with."
The exhibit is now open to the public at the Bronx Children’s Museum and will serve as a lasting celebration of identity, legacy, and possibility.
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