OUR MISSION

To collectively preserve the legacies, history and intellectual properties of the Negro Leagues while contributing to the education and uplift of baseball and sports.

Vision Statement

Imagining a world where the timeless spirit of the Negro Leagues ignites a passion for learning , healthy practices, and sportsmanship, bridging gaps and building a diverse, inclusive future for all.

Core Principles

We ascribe to the practice of respectful and ethical engagements, diverse and equitable relationships and the pursuit of "Social Justice for all" in remembrance and celebration of members of the Negro Baseball leagues.

OUR INITIATIVES

  • 1. Negro Leagues Day

    The establishment of “Negro Leagues Day” would center upon all MLB teams participating in an annual celebration of Negro Leagues history. The celebration would include:

    • Every team wearing Negro Leagues uniforms and commemorative patches

    • Education/Community Awareness pertaining to Negro Leagues history: Inside of the park events and events within the community

    • Negro Leagues players and families within the MLB cities would be recognized

  • 2. Digital Literacy and “The Art of the Game”

    In our commitment to the education of Negro Leagues Baseball, we have utilized the Negro Leagues experience to create 21st Century learning concepts and strategies that can engage and inspire learners to the level of greatness we believe they can achieve.

    The New and Emerging Literacies (Digital Literacy, Information Literacy and Media Literacy) place new demands on comprehension and interpretation that are essential to the development of skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and innovation that are needed to compete and thrive in today's workforce and in adult life.

    Our Digital Literacy Initiative is a virtual platform that creates the framework for learners to gain and reinforce essential skills. These skills can serve as the catalyst to level the playing field and narrow some of the achievement gaps that have been at the heart of school improvement initiatives.

    Overall, our Digital Literacy Initiative explores the significance of Negro Leagues baseball to teach lifelong lessons that can bring success on and off the field. We aspire to make a significant impact in athletics, in leadership and in life, that will invigorate new legacies of greatness for generations to come.

  • 3. Behavioral Health and Wellness

    Our goal is to serve as catalysts for behavioral health awareness in the communities we serve through intention, celebration and active participation. Through advocacy, the NLFA is committed to assisting and empowering Black youth in order to pave the way for a brighter future.

  • 4. Sports-MLB-RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities)

    Major League Baseball's Reviving Baseball in Inner-Cities (RBI) program was founded in 1989 to create diversity in the games of baseball and softball, specifically targeting under-resourced and under-represented youth in marginalized communities.

    A primary initiative of the Negro Leagues Family Alliance (NLFA) and its members is to increase the number of African American Youth participating in the great sport of baseball. NLFA aims to promote the MLB-RBI Program with a well-planned member and organization-centric approach.

    In addition to our shared mission with the MLB-RBI Program, the NLFA will promote community-based strategies targeting the total family unit as follows:

    • History – focusing on the contributions of the Negro Leagues and its players.

    • Early Introduction to baseball starting at but not limited to 6-10 years of age.

    • Create more opportunities for inner-city youth to participate in structured league play, travel tournaments and other competitions.

    • Identify and procure meaningful resources for Youth Baseball Programs and Activities.

    • Education: - utilizing STEAM Education platforms to encourage experiential learning.

    • Recruitment - increase the number of minority youth prepared to play baseball/softball in college and the minor and major leagues.