How MLB & Clubs Are Observing Black History Month

Major League Baseball, its Clubs, and media entities (MLB Network and MLB.com) will observe Black History Month 2021 in a variety of ways, across our sport, with the following goals in mind:

To meaningfully engage and support African American people, institutions, and communities across the Nation

To celebrate and recognize the rich history of African Americans in baseball; and

To showcase the voices of African American youth, professional players & coaches, historians, and others connected to the sport.

These efforts are among many ongoing initiatives and partnerships maintained year-round with our communities, our fans, and our MLB players, coaches and professionals

DIVERSE BUSINESS

com Visibility for Black-owned Businesses – MLB will provide complimentary banner-ad space on MLB.com for black-owned businesses who are part of the MLB Diverse Business Partners program – an initiative providing a pathway for MLB and Clubs to invest in diverse-owned businesses. Since 1998, MLB and Clubs have invested and spent nearly $2 billion with diverse-owned businesses.

PSAs & Ad Placement on MLB Network – MLB Network will air public service announcements for community-based nonprofits focused on social justice and/or are committed to issues for the Black community. Additionally, billboards supporting Black-owned businesses will appear on-air.

Google Coaches Workshop Series – MLB's office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) will provide Black-owned businesses access to a Google Coaches workshop series throughout the month, with topics specified to amplifying, building and improving business practices amid the pandemic.

RECRUITMENT

Virtual Recruitment Workshops & Panels with HBCUs – MLB's DEI team will link with several Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) to offer students a variety of growth and networking opportunities through the League's "Step Up to The Plate" virtual program, with topics ranging from "Personal Branding" (Resume & LinkedIn building), technology and sales.

SABR Conference Scholarships – For the fifth consecutive year, MLB will sponsor a diverse group of qualifying students who are interested in a baseball operations career to receive a scholarship to attend the annual SABR Analytics Conference, which will be virtually held March 11-14. The Conference is a four-day event on the impact of analytics on the game of baseball. Students also will have an opportunity to participate in skill development sessions and networking opportunities with current MLB and Club employees. Throughout February, students can apply with their resumes and a personal essays at https://boards.greenhouse.io/mlbevents/jobs/2595206. MLB has provided 75 scholarships through 2020, with 25 of the attendees receiving career opportunities with MLB Clubs and the Commissioner's Office, including present and alumni participants of the Diversity Fellowship Program.

YOUTH OUTREACH & BASEBALL DEVELOPMENT

Youth Voices – MLB will launch a campaign to invite aspiring writers who are participants of the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) and MLB Youth Academy programs to share perspectives for MLB.com on a wide range of potential topics including individuals and moments from throughout the history of baseball as well as more contemporary topics of today's game.

Drive-Thru Events at Black Churches – The Baseball & Softball Development team at the Commissioner's Office will host three special drive-thru PLAY BALL events at Black Churches in Charleston (SC), Oklahoma City (OK) and Richmond (VA), during which families and children will receive bat & ball sets that they can safely enjoy at home and various parts of their neighborhoods, such as parks and playgrounds. The socially distanced occasions at Black Churches is part of an ongoing effort of a community event series throughout the country to further bridge tangible connections between baseball and the Black community.