Community Foundation gifts $15,000 for statue

“We appreciate this show of support as we continue moving this statue project forward,” said Ernie Brown, a co-chair of the Robinson-Shuba Commemorative Statue Committee. “Our community supports the values this statue will memorialize and has been generous in ensuring its success.”

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley partners with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits to address charitable and philanthropic needs across Mahoning and Trumbull counties that improve the quality of life for all residents.

“By connecting the advisers of the Kennedy Family Fund and the Arnett Family Fund with the Robinson-Shuba statue, we were able to pool grantmaking dollars and contribute to a project that promotes conversations about race and equity in our community,” said Shari Harrell, president of the Community Foundation. “Making those connections for fund holders and supporting local projects like this are primary tenets of the Foundation’s work in the Valley.”

The larger-than-life bronze statue will portray the 1946 handshake at home plate between Jackie Robinson, the first African-American allowed to compete in mainstream professional baseball, and his white teammate from Youngstown, George Shuba.

Shuba stepped up from the on-deck circle to shake Robinson’s hand after two other teammates who scored on Robinson’s three-run homer in his debut game didn’t wait at home to greet the future Hall of Famer. Shuba’s gesture of acceptance during a period of open racism marked the beginning of the racial integration of professional baseball and, eventually, much of American life.

“As our country continues to deal with division and conflict along racial lines, the Robinson-Shuba statue will celebrate racial equality and the great things that unity and bridge-building can accomplish,” said Greg Gulas, a co-chair of the statue committee. “We value the Community Foundation’s partnership in our efforts.”

Plans call for the Robinson-Shuba statue to be dedicated on April 18, 2021, the 75th anniversary of the handshake. The statue in Wean Park, between the Covelli Center and Youngstown amphitheater, will stand nearly 7 feet tall above its base and be surrounded by seating that supports programming about racial equality.

Marc Mellon, the world-class Connecticut sculptor working on the statue, is known for works that have honored Pope John Paul II, President George H. W. Bush, President Barack Obama and many award-winning athletes.

Since announcing the Robinson-Shuba Commemorative Statue Project in late November, the project committee has raised more than $180,000, or more than 45 percent of its $400,000 goal.

More information about the statue project, including opportunities to support it, can be found at www.robinsonshuba.org.