The AAEA is honored to present the Barrier Breakers Series in partnership with the Daytona Tortugas as part of the Minor League Baseball “The Nine” Initiative, a community inclusion initiative that will be hosted by the Daytona Tortugas at the historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark, located at 105 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114. This will be a 4-night series dedicated to Barrier Breakers throughout the Tortugas home season on April 9, June 10, July 8, and August 12. These nights will honor the milestones, individuals, and community venues that have paved the way for today’s and tomorrow’s athletes, business owners, and community leaders. The 1st Night of the Barrier Breakers Series will be hosted on April 9 at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Lucie Mets.
Each night will feature a commemorative focus and the AAEA will host The African-American Entrepreneurs Showcase in the concessions area. The community is invited to join in and fully enjoy all these evenings will offer! The Showcase will feature an assortment of 12 locally owned African-American businesses and community leaders.
This community partnership between the AAEA and the Daytona Tortugas is an exciting opportunity to commemorate and honor while enjoying fun entertainment and celebrating the trailblazers that have persevered in following their dreams before us.
April 9: The 1st Night of the Barrier Breakers Series will be hosted on April 9 at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Lucie Mets. The Daytona Tortugas will feature Local Negro Leagues teams and players with a commemorative focus, and the AAEA will host The African-American Entrepreneurs Showcase in the concessions area. The Showcase will feature an assortment of 12 locally owned African-American businesses and community leaders. The community is invited to join in and fully enjoy all these evenings will have to offer!
June 10: The 2nd night of The Barrier Breakers Series will be hosted on June 10 at 7:05 p.m. against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. The evening honoree will be Johnny Wright, a pitcher who broke professional baseball’s color barrier with Jackie Robinson in 1946 right here in Daytona Beach.
July 8: The 3rd night of The Barrier Breakers Series will be hosted July 8 at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Lucie Mets. On this evening, Mary McLeod Bethune, one of the most celebrated African American figures as an influencer, educator, civil rights activist, and advocate for women’s equality for more than three decades will be the focus of the night. She also founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial School for Negro Girls, which later merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville to become known as Bethune-Cookman University, located at 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. She is attributed with helping make it possible for Robinson and Wright to make history in Daytona Beach.
August 12: The 4th night of The Barrier Breakers Series will be hosted on August 12 at 7:05 p.m. against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. The evening will focus on the community jewel, Kelly Field. This venue is where Robinson and Wright trained and served as a social hub of the community.