During a time out in the second quarter of a game between the New York Knickerbockers and the Philadelpha 76ers, a special presentation was made to help celebrate Black History Month for February. Amtrak served as the presenting partner for such an occasion.
The recipient for the month-long celebration was Della Britton Baeza who was recognized by Amtrak. Ms. Baeza, the president and CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, received the Amtrak Pioneer Award, going to an individual who initiates change for the betterment of the community in which they live, through their job, volunteerism or by creating new charities and community progress.
Ms. Baeza follows the Knicks basketball team and their strive for a division title in the National Basketball Association during the season and is a big fan of the team. Basketball is not her only sport that she follows all sports.
Talking about the award, she said, “Jackie Robinson (infielder for the then Brooklyn Dodgers) lettered in four sports –baseball, basketball, football and track-while he was in college,” she said, after receiving her award. “With the Jackie Robinson Foundation we’re sports fans all around. It’s a special day.
“Getting the Amtrak Pioneer Award is very special. I had no idea of what’s happening. It’s something I know Amtrak is committed to and does on a yearly basis. To be added to the list of people that Amtrak is recognizing is a real treat to me.”
“We are proud to have Amtrak patner with the Knicks to celebrate and honor Black History Month as part of their broad multi-platform partnership with the team,” said Executive Vice President of Corporate Sales and Solutions of MSG Sports Greg Economou.
“The Garden does a lot of great community services…I grew up in Pittsburgh but lived for 25 years in (Manhattan’s) Battery Park City. We love basketball and love the Knicks.”
