HIDDEN CROWNS OF COWTOWN. Overlooked by History, but Crowned by Legacy in Fort Worth, Texas on April 15, 2026.

HIDDEN CROWNS OF COWTOWN. Overlooked by History, but Crowned by Legacy in Fort Worth, Texas on April 15, 2026.

These are the Hidden Crowns of Cowtown.

On April 15, 2026, a powerful story will be told—

not just of baseball, but of courage, sacrifice, and transformation.

This special Jackie Robinson Day Exhibition will feature the Negro League collection of Craig Dalley, bringing history to life through rare artifacts, compelling research, and storytelling that connects past struggle to present purpose.

A HISTORIC FIRST FOR FORT WORTH

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM,

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church will host a history-making gathering—marking Fort Worth’s first official Jackie Robinson Day.

This is not just a date on the calendar—

it is a moment in the movement.

On April 15, 1948, one year after breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier,

Jackie Robinson played an exhibition game at LaGrave Field right here in Fort Worth.

That moment placed this city inside the arc of American transformation.

Fort Worth is not just a witness to history—

it is a participant in it.

THE GATHERING PLACE

At the heart of this moment stands the church:

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

2864 Mississippi Avenue

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

A place where faith meets action…

and where history meets purpose.

THE EXHIBITION — A LIVING BRIDGE THROUGH HISTORY

Through the work of Craig Dalley, this exhibition brings forward the rich, often untold story of the Negro Leagues—where excellence thrived even when opportunity was denied.

But Craig Dalley’s work is more than historical—it is transformational.

Before he ever curated history, he helped shape the future.

• He began his career contributing to the Hubble Space Telescope in Silicon Valley—helping humanity see deeper into the universe

• He earned his degree in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University and a master’s in biomedical engineering from The Ohio State University

• At Texas Instruments, he helped drive innovation in talking toys, camera phones, automotive electronics, and cybersecurity

Yet, even with a career rooted in science and innovation, his calling expanded into something deeper—truth-telling through history.

Craig Dalley has:

• Published historical research in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register

• Served as a consultant for historical reenactments preserving American journeys and memory

• Delivered powerful presentations across churches, schools, workplaces, and civic spaces

But what makes his work in Negro League history so compelling is not just knowledge—

it is conviction.

Following the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020, Craig was moved to engage deeply in conversations about race, justice, and faith. Alongside colleagues, he began building bridges—using history as a tool for understanding and healing.

Guided by his Christian faith and the belief that all people are created in the image of God, he turned to the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson as entry points into courageous conversations about race, dignity, and equality.

His research revealed something powerful:

That before America celebrated integration,

there were already Black athletes demonstrating world-class excellence and extraordinary character—even on global stages like the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where figures like Cornelius Johnson and Mack Robinson stood tall in the face of injustice.

Craig Dalley does not just present history—

he restores dignity to it.

His Negro League collection is not simply an exhibit—

it is a bridge between past injustice and present responsibility.

THE HIDDEN CROWNS

This moment lifts up five giants whose legacy still speaks:

• Rube Foster — the visionary who built a league when the door was closed; he played in Fort Worth during the 1901–1902 seasons

• L. D. Livingston — Fort Worth’s own son, whose journey carried him from I.M. Terrell High School to the Negro Leagues, World War II service, and later as a Harlem police officer

• Jackie Robinson — the man who changed the game and challenged a nation, stopping in Fort Worth on April 15, 1948

• Louis Santop — one of the greatest catchers in baseball history, a dominant force of his era

• Eddie Douglass — a son of Fort Worth, representing the deep well of local Black baseball excellence

These men were not always celebrated in their time—

but they have always been crowned.

These are the Hidden Crowns of Cowtown.

WHY THIS MOMENT STILL MATTERS

Jackie Robinson Day is more than remembrance—

it is a call to conscience.

Before integration, there was innovation.

Before recognition, there was resilience.

Before opportunity, there was ownership of excellence.

And Fort Worth…

was a proving ground for it all.

MORE THAN AN EXHIBIT

Curated by Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.,

this is not just history on display—

this is history in motion.

A call to:

• Preserve what was nearly forgotten

• Teach what was never fully told

• Reconnect a community to its greatness

• Use the past as a pathway to purpose

FIGHT LIKE FORTY-TWO

To honor Jackie Robinson is not just to remember him—

it is to reflect him.

To stand for what is right.

To lead with dignity.

To press forward, even when the odds push back.

JOIN THE MOMENT

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 11:00 AM

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

Fort Worth, Texas

817-966-7625

kptatum1@gmail.com

www.newmountrose.com

CLOSING CHARGE

Fort Worth—this is our story.

These are our legends.

These are our crowns.

And on this Jackie Robinson Day—

we will not let them remain hidden.

We will honor them.

We will lift them.

We will carry them forward.

Because greatness was always here.

It was just… hidden.