Photo: Frank Jordan II, Frank Jordan Sr. and Traci Wooden Carlisle at Negro Leagues Event
All Photos Credit: Rochelle Porter
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Touring Exhibit, “Barrier Breakers” Meet and Greet in the reading room on the 8th floor of the San Diego Central Library, adjacent to the Sullivan Family Baseball Research Center, was heavily attended by political figures and business, religious, and community leaders. These attendees all had one thing in common. They partnered and supported the San Diego stop of the historical Barrier Breakers Touring Exhibit.
The attendees were shown appreciation by the co-coordinator, Frank Jordan and San Diego School District School Board Member, Richard Barrera (who was encouraged to run for State Superintendent of Schools) and entertained by the Junkyard Dogs Youth Dance group. They were treated to the musical stylings of On-air radio personality John Phillips and given the story behind the origination of Juneteenth by Maxine Clark the producer of “Our Living Heritage” Docu-drama.
This historical exhibit highlights the Black and Latin players who integrated into Major League Baseball teams throughout the country, beginning with Jackie Robinson joining the Brooklyn Dodgers and ending with Pumpsey Green joining the Boston Red Sox.
Some of the leaders in attendance were San Diego School Board trustee, Sharon Whitehurst Payne, San Ysidro School District School Board Member, Antonio Martinez, San Diego City Attorney Heather Ferbert, Dr. Marnie Foster of Community College District, New York Life Insurance Executive,
Sharon Davis, Del Richardson of Los Angeles, Affordable Housing Developer, Regina Young, Reverend Leroy Matthews and his wife Cheryl Matthews, healthcare product developer, San Diego City Councilman, Henry Foster, Executive Director of United Domestic Workers Union, Doug Moore, Felix Berry, owner of Felix Barbeque with Soul, Leonard Thompson owner of God1Radio.com, Bishop Lonnie Lynch, Larry “Preacherman” Thomas, owner of SanDiegoGospelRadio.com, Jerry Riggins, owner of Riggins Urban Barber College, Elijah Gentry, Jr. owner of Gentry’s Barbershop, James Dallas, Jr., owner of Elite Pride Sports Promotion, Photographer and Designer, Rochelle Porter, Yvette Porter, Dwayne Hill, Derek Forde, owner of Signs4Less, Claude Bell, Errrverybodi Line Dancers created by Patricia Murray, Reverend Calvin Langston of New Shiloh Baptist Church, Frank Jordan II of Dallas, TX, Jerome Kennedy, Author and Publisher, Traci Wooden-Carlisle, Monroe Kirkland, owner of MK Productions, Dee Dee Vernon, Jody Richardson, Daniel Johnson, James Jordan, Tiffany Williams
“We can’t thank Library Deputy Director, Jennifer Jen-kins and the Central Library staff for all of their hard work in hosting, and making sure the exhibit had a beautiful home on the 8th floor.” stated Frank Jordan.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Touring Exhibit, “Barrier Breakers” drew over 40,000 people from all over California. The visitors had a chance to experience the exhibit from its opening date on April 15 to June 20, 2024.
