Ken Griffey Jr., MLB, MLBPA announce inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic

Major League Baseball (MLB), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. jointly announced Tuesday the launch of the "HBCU Swingman Classic,” an annual All-Star experience for baseball student-athletes from Division-I programs at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). The philanthropic & educational event, which will center around an “All-Star” Game, will be held during 2023 MLB All-Star Week in July at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners, the franchise for which Griffey Jr. played for 13 seasons during his legendary career.

The HBCU Swingman Classic, which will be powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, will highlight the history and legacy of HBCU baseball programs while also providing 50 HBCU baseball players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage. The student-athletes will be selected by a committee that will include Griffey Jr., representatives from MLB and MLBPA, and scouts. Additional details about the HBCU Swingman Classic will be announced in the months ahead.

Griffey Jr., who is an Ambassador for the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, said: “I am excited to help these kids get the national attention that they don’t receive compared to other college baseball programs. Over the years, we have seen the decline of African American players, not because they don’t want to play, but rather because they haven’t been seen. College scholarships for baseball are not comparative to other sports, and a lot of families cannot afford to pay the difference. So, this effort is the industry coming together to give these kids an opportunity to play the game they love on the national stage. Financial restrictions prevent them from going to schools that give more exposure. The HBCU Swingman Classic will try and close that gap.”

“Major League Baseball is thrilled to continue to work alongside Ken Griffey Jr. and the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation to bring this groundbreaking event to MLB All-Star Week,” said Tony Reagins, Chief Baseball Development Officer, MLB. “Highlighting the talent at HBCU Baseball programs is an important part of how we connect with college baseball while also improving African American representation at all levels of our game. We are excited to offer this opportunity to these players and for our fans to witness this new All-Star experience.”

The HBCU Swingman Classic joins the annual Hank Aaron Invitational as youth-oriented and diversity-focused programs powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, a joint initiative by MLB and MLBPA to support efforts that focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and internationally.

Historically, many HBCU alumni have reached Major League Baseball, including Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Lou Brock as well as Marquis Grissom, Rickie Weeks, Jr., Vince Coleman, Tommie Agee, Tom Alston, Earl Battey, Joe Black and others. Hall of Famer Larry Doby is also an HBCU alumnus, but did not play baseball at the collegiate level.

Watch Sen. Raphael Warnock full victory speech after defeating Herschel Walker

Watch Senator Raphael Warnock's full victory speech after defeating Herschel Walker in the Georgia runoff election:

NAACP Congratulates Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on Historic New Role

This week, Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to elect Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as their new party leader. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement congratulating him on this historic achievement:

"Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has made history. The NAACP is proud to celebrate the election of the first Black lawmaker to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress. This is a major milestone for Black representation within our government. This historic moment is only further proof that it is possible to build a Congress that is just as diverse and dynamic as the American people. As he steps into this new role, Rep. Jeffries will lead his Caucus into a new era, bringing with him new ideas, passion, and energy that will inspire the next generation of Black leaders. "

HBCU gets 90K grant to help recruit, train black male teachers

South Carolina State University wants to get more black male teachers in the classroom, and thanks to a $90 thousand dollar grant donated to the university for their Call Me MiSTER program, they are one step closer to making it a reality. School officials say the grant will help them increase efforts to recruit and train black male teachers.

The University received the funds Monday from the Leveraging Innovation for Educator Excellence (Life2).  With black men making up less than 2% of instructors currently teaching in South Carolina classrooms, Program Director Dr. Thelma Sojouner says it’s important for students to see these types of role models.

“There is a tremendous need for children to see young men coming in and working in the schools,” said Dr. Thelma Sojourner, program director for Life2, a program dedicated to improving teacher efficacy. “Thank you for what you’re doing here. I’m excited for what we are going to be able to do for you at South Carolina State.”

The program that was created back in 2000 in an effort to increase the number of black male teachers, it also provides area high schoolers with mentors that through the program will help them  focus on personal growth, academic excellence, finance, self awareness, self esteem, black history, leadership and advocacy. Since its inception the program has expanded to 10 states.

Dr. Rashad Anderson, an associate professor of teacher education and campus director for SC State’s Call Me MiSTER program calls the program a revolutionary, life changing experience.

“We are one of the top HBCUs in the country that educates African American male teachers,”…“and I am truly honored to work with some of the most brilliant, creative future Black male educators who are so powerful that one MiSTER can transform an entire school’s culture.”

Dr. Anderson has been part of the Call Me MiSTER program since 2017 and says this program is in part, an extension of what S.C. State was founded on back in 1869.  A place where people of color could attend school, but also a location where black educators can learn how to hone in on their craft.

[SOURCE: ABC COLUMBIA]

Dr. Michael A. Coe, M.Ed, D.Div.'s new book "He Looks Like Me: An evidence based guide for teachers mentoring African American Boys"

"He Looks Like Me: An evidence based guide for teachers mentoring African American Boys": a helpful study of the positive effects of partnering young men of color with positive role models with similar backgrounds. "He Looks Like Me: An evidence based guide for teachers mentoring African American Boys" is the creation of published author Dr. Michael A. Coe, M.Ed, D.Div., a dedicated father of two and a special education teacher for twenty-one years. Dr. Coe dedicated his life to bringing change to African American males in the inner-city community. He holds an Associate of Applied Science in general business from Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, New Jersey; a Bachelor of Science in biblical studies from Cairn University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania; a Master of Education from Gratz College Melrose Park, Pennsylvania; a post master's degree in school administration from The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey; and a Doctor of Divinity from Isaiah University, Daytona Beach, Florida. He also holds a New Jersey Teacher of the Handicapped Certificate K–12, a Supervisor's Certificate, and a Principal's Certificate.

Dr. Coe shares, "This book is to encourage public school leaders to think more deeply about the hiring of black male teachers and the effects black male teacher mentors have on students in hopes to encourage and motivate African American males and men of color to enter the field of education. This book uncovers in-depth research of the effects of black male teacher mentoring and its impact on society. After reading He Looks Like Me, readers will understand the following:

• The vitality of having men of color in the classroom
• The importance of mentoring young black boys and boys of color
• How boys of color do meet classroom expectations when there is an African American male teacher
• An in-depth scope into the placement of African American males and males of color who are placed in special education classrooms"

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Dr. Michael A. Coe, M.Ed, D.Div.'s new book is an impactful message of hope for the future of the black community.

Dr. Coe shares in hopes of spreading awareness and encouraging educational systems to employ men of color in roles that afford young men access to positive role models.

Consumers can purchase "He Looks Like Me: An evidence based guide for teachers mentoring African American Boys" at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about "He Looks Like Me: An evidence based guide for teachers mentoring African American Boys," contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK