The city of Atlanta and the Braves have been honored by being chosen to host the fifth annual Civil Rights Game. The event will run from May 13-15.
The event is more than just a game. It is a weekend of activities that pay tribute to, and honor, the legacies of African-Americans in the game of baseball and outside the sport, as well. For full coverage, visit the official website for the event.
The weekend begins with a Roundtable Discussion on Friday, May 13 at 3 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Harvard Law School professor Charles Ogletree will moderate the discussion, which will include a panel of singer Gloria Gaynor, activist Dolores Huerta, Angels owner Arte Moreno and National Urban League executive director Marc Morial. This will be streamed at MLB.com on the 15th.
The Youth Summit will take place at Centennial Park on Saturday at 9 a.m. Kids can participate with MLB players and celebrities in interactive stations and clinics. This will end with a parade to Turner Field.
A Saturday afternoon game between the Braves and Phillies will serve as a Negro League tribute, as both teams will wear throwback uniforms from the Negro Leagues. The game will start at 1:10 on FOX. Following the game, rapper Ludacris will perform a concert.
On Saturday night at 7 p.m., the Beacon Awards will be presented in a banquet at the Omni Hotel Grand Ballroom. Actor Morgan Freeman, artist Carlos Santana and Ernie Banks will be honored with awards, and Hank Aaron will be honored, as well.
The Civil Rights Game will be held on Sunday, May 15 at 1:15 on TBS between the Braves and Phillies. There will be pregame ceremonies, and the two teams will wear throwback jerseys from 1974.