Marking History: Pasadena Pays Homage to Its Athletic Robinson Icons with New Memorial

Pasadena Mayor Victor has long referred to Pasadena as the “center of the universe.” On Friday, Pepper Street in Pasadena was the “epicenter,” as a long-overdue tribute to two of Pasadena’s most iconic sons—a new set of commemorative plaques outside the boyhood home of Jackie and Mack Robinson—was unveiled.

The dedication ceremony drew elected officials, family members, neighbors, and civic leaders to 121 Pepper Street, where Jackie Robinson, the barrier-breaking Major League Baseball legend, and his older brother Mack, an Olympic silver medalist, spent their formative years.

“This was more than a construction project. It was an act of recognition,” said Pasadena Assistant City Manager Brenda Harvey-Williams, who helped lead the multi-year effort. She credited city departments, family members, and advocates, including the late Councilmember John J. Kennedy, his sister Lena Kennedy, and Occidental College professor Peter Dreier, for pushing the project forward. “They made sure we got the words, the placement, and the heart of this tribute right.”

“Jackie Robinson was the George Washington of Pasadena,” said Dreier. “He is the historic figure that people think of when they think of this city. And Mack Robinson played a key role in making Pasadena a more inclusive city with his local activism, on top of his remarkable athletic achievements, including a silver medal in the Olympics. 

Dreier added, “I hope the Olympics honor Mack when they are held in LA and Pasadena in 2028.”

As Mayor Gordo called the site “the epicenter of the center of the universe,” he evoked images of the Robinson brothers running down the very street where the audience had gathered. “You don’t even need to close your eyes to feel how special this place is,” Gordo said, presenting the family with a proclamation declaring the site the Jackie Robinson and Robinson Family Memorial.

Three new plaques now grace the public walkway outside the home, with historical photos and carefully chosen text. The language was crafted in close consultation with Robinson family representatives Caprice Jones and Dennis Robinson.

The plaques also pay tribute to the matriarch of the family, Mallie McGriff Robinson, who left Georgia to settle in Pasadena with her five children. “It was a place to not only exist in a country stained with violent racism towards Black Americans, but to thrive in it,” the main plaque reads.

The ceremony included reflections from Fred Claire, former general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who shared personal stories of Jackie Robinson’s final public appearances in 1972. Claire recalled Robinson’s quiet dignity and his famous words: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

Councilmember Justin Jones, who now represents the district, called the plaques more than a memorial. “They show what talent and determination can achieve, even in the face of injustice,” he said.

Jackie Robinson’s granddaughter, Ioa Robinson, expressed gratitude that the tribute coincided with Mother’s Day weekend. “It was their mother who raised them here, instilling values of family, community, and character,” she said.

Michael Colbert, Robinson’s great-nephew, added, “The Robinson family is all class. What they gave to this city, this city has given back to us.”

As family members lifted the veil to reveal the trio of plaques, applause rang out. The new markers offer not only a clearer public acknowledgment of the Robinsons’ legacy, but also a message for future generations: greatness can begin on any street—even Pepper Street.