JRF Co-Founder Marty Edelman Helps Further the Mission Every Step of the Way
A pillar of the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) and one of its four original founders, Marty Edelman’s likeness is etched indelibly onto the figurative Mount Rushmore monument of the organization.
Edelman vividly recalls meeting Jackie Robinson for the first time in conjunction with the founding of Freedom National Bank.
Since that fortuitous meeting, Edelman has been a partner with the New York City based Paul Hastings, LLP, law firm for more than 50 years with a concentration in international real estate and a focus on large corporate transactions.
All the while Edelman has been an active board member for the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
“After his [Jackie’s] death in 1972, I worked with Rachel Robinson to establish the Jackie Robinson Foundation to perpetuate her husband’s legacy, which is grounded in his dedication to promoting equal opportunity. I was and remain stirred by both Jackie and Rachel Robinson’s staunch commitment to leveling the playing field throughout society and to serving those less fortunate. I was at Rachel’s side when she founded the organization and am still a board member,” said Edelman in an interview with Leaders magazine.
One of five persons to receive the JRF Founders Award, Edelman has witnessed the Foundation’s entire evolution.
“The Foundation has grown steadily in the last 50 years, beginning with only a few scholarships and a hands-on mentoring program hosted at Rachel’s home in Connecticut to having dispensed over $100 million in aid to 1,810 college students from 45 states who have attended 280 colleges across the country,” said Edelman, who has personally sponsored 20 JRF scholars. He continues to serve as a mentor to a multitude of Alumni assisting in securing internships and full-time permanent employment.
In recognition of his service to JRF alumni, in 2018, the Foundation created the Martin L. Edelman Prize. The award is given to a JRF alumnus who has distinguished themselves in three areas: professional achievement, service to society and engagement with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Recipients of the award include Keith Bevans ’96, Joy Profet ‘97 and Kendra L. Gaither ‘96.
“There is no singular individual who has done more for the Foundation than Marty Edelman, in tandem with Rachel Robinson. He was there at the genesis. He still brings the same high-level commitment to the Foundation that he did 45 years ago, and indeed he is the Foundation’s top gun,” said Len Coleman, former 18-year chairman of the board of directors for the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Edelman has connected his vast personal and professional networks to the Foundation’s efforts creating long-term relationships spanning a wide array of diverse industries from finance to entertainment to real estate, publishing and sports.
“It’s just impossible to quantify his impact and quite simply JRF has thrived because of Marty Edelman,” said JRF President and CEO Della Britton.
In addition to his generous sponsorship supporting scholars and other program initiatives, Edelman was also a founding donor of the Jackie Robinson Museum.
“It was a long-held dream of Rachel Robinson to establish a fixed tribute to her husband that told the complete story of his heroic efforts to level the playing field and promote empathy and humanitarianism that would effectuate the American dream across society,” said Edelman, explaining the inspiration for the creation of the museum…”Rachel wanted a place that recounted her beloved Jack’s ambitions and efforts to address institutionalized discrimination against marginalized populations, and the Museum does that.”
Visitors to the museum will learn as much about Jackie Robinson’s pioneering efforts as the first Black officer-level executive at a major corporation (Chock full O’Nuts) where he supported the workers union, his involvement in U.S. politics, and civil rights activism as they will about his athletic career.
“The Museum is deep and rich in content and provides the historical context for Robinson’s tremendous impact. It’s a world history museum in that regard. It describes what was happening in the country and the world during Robinson’s life, while it depicts the details of his prolific efforts,” said Edelman.
Six decades after joining forces with Jackie and Rachel on their vision of creating opportunities that lead to first class citizenship for all Americans, Edelman remains a tireless advocate for the Foundation and its mission.
