Celebrate Black History Month with Stories, Programs at Hall of Fame

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – As the nation celebrates Black History Month in February, the National Baseball Hall of Fame will pay tribute to the contributions of Black baseball pioneers, heroes and legends with programming in Cooperstown and online while hosting local and regional students.

These programs and activities are part of the Hall of Fame’s continuing commitment to celebrate and honor Black baseball as part of a new initiative that includes a lineup of educational outreach programs and a groundbreaking museum exhibit which will open in April 2024.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum chronicles the pioneering and historic efforts of African Americans in baseball every day via exhibits, online resources and educational programing. Visitors to the Museum in Cooperstown will discover Ideals and Injustices, the second-floor exhibit which opened in 1997 and features artifacts ranging from Negro League equipment to uniforms worn by some of the game’s greatest stars.

Fans can also experience Black history through virtual programs hosted by the Museum’s team of educators. Upcoming events include:

Virtual Voices of the Game: Adam Jones

2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7

Join us for a virtual program with former major league standout and five-time All-Star Adam Jones.

Click here to register.

Virtual Voices of the Game: Larry Lester

1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16

Join us for a virtual program with author and historian Larry Lester, who will discuss his role as a guest curator on the Hall of Fame’s Black Baseball Initiative, along with his donation of many recorded interviews with significant Black baseball figures.

Click here to register.

 Virtual Voices of the Game: History of the Negro Leagues

2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23

Live from the Hall of Fame Bullpen Theater, this special program will highlight the efforts of Negro Leagues founder Rube Foster. Learn about some of the greatest players of Black baseball and find out more about the Hall of Famers who started their careers in the Negro Leagues before becoming household names. To watch virtually, go to the Hall of Fame’s Facebook page.

As many schools in the northeast pause for Winter Break in February, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates Jackie Robinson’s heroic journey – along with countless other milestones – in honoring Black History Month. The Museum will host special daily programs for kids of all ages Feb. 20-24 as part of Presidents’ Week. Families can experience unique Museum artifacts and learn about the history of Black Baseball and participate in programming throughout the week, including an interactive Pop-Up in the Museum’s Learning Center where guests will explore images, hands-on items from the Hall of Fame’s education collection and select artifacts that relate to Black baseball history, including a Cool Papa Bell glove, a Satchel Paige signed baseball, Buck Leonard’s shoes, a baseball signed by Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr.,  a bat used by Aaron Judge in his MLB debut and a Homestead Grays pennant. All events are included with Museum admission. For a schedule of events, click here.

Several school groups will visit the Museum on field trips throughout February, including the Lady Tigers softball team of Jordan L. Mott Middle School in the Bronx, N.Y., on Feb. 7. The team, coached by Christopher Astacio and recognized by the Yankees, Mets and Today.com, has used softball to help students overcome urban youth challenges.

For more information about school visits to the Museum, click here.

For resources on the history of Black baseball, please visit baseballhall.org/civilrights.

Throughout the month of February, the Hall of Fame’s social media channels – available on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook @baseballhall – will highlight these important stories of civil rights and baseball.