Beyond the Scoreboard: The Baltimore Black Sox and the Negro Leagues' Civil Rights Legacy

Beyond the Scoreboard: The Baltimore Black Sox and the Negro Leagues’ Civil Rights Legacy

February 21, 2026

This Black History Month panel and workshop event, held in collaboration with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Parks & People, and South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, successfully brought together 185 attendees to build early awareness and community support for the future Black Sox Memorial. The program centered on sharing the history and legacy of the Baltimore Black Sox through a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Dr. Kaye Whitehead, alongside expert-led workshops. Panelists included Dr. Milbert Brown (Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro League Baseball), Damion Thomas (National Museum of African American History & Culture), Jana Brooks (great- grandniece of Black Sox Player, Leon Day), and Sean Gibson (great- grandson of Negro League Player, and President, Josh Gibson Foundation). Together, they highlighted the team’s impact on both baseball and the Civil Rights Movement, while creating space for meaningful dialogue, learning, and connection.

A crowd of people are seated facing the panelist at the event.

Kaye Wise Whitehead, PhD, moderates the panel event.

Five panelists sit in white chairs on stage during the event.

(L) Frank Lance, CEO Parks & People, stands with (R) Robert Parker, Director of Interpretation, Visitor Experiences & Education for The Lewis Museum.

Two people stand looking at a poster featuring historical research about the Baltimore Black Sox. The research was compiled by Coppin State students.

Dr. Milbert Brown, speaking as part of the panel event.

Attendees laugh together during the event reception.

Jana Brooks, panelist, speaks during the panel event.

Panelists are joined by SBGP Board members, staff and community members for a group picture following the panel event.

Panelist Sean Gibson (L) poses for a picture.

Damion Thomas, PhD, speaks as part of the panel event.

Attendees and staff pose for a picture.

Event attendees pose for a photo after the panel event.

A group photo with panelist Jana Brooks (center).

A group of people stand during a post-panel event workshop.

(L) Brad Rogers, Executive Director of South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, poses with Ron Hill and Frank Lance (R). Hill is holding a book about his Great Uncle, Pete Hill.

Upon arrival, guests engaged with an interactive reception area featuring informational displays, Negro League memorabilia, and project visuals. Artifacts and historical materials helped bring the story of the Baltimore Black Sox to life, while project boards introduced attendees to the vision and progress of the Westport and Smith Cove Waterfront Parks, including the future location of the Black Sox Memorial. The formal program opened with welcoming remarks from Kristina Bigby, Outreach and Engagement for Assedo Consulting, followed by remarks from Ronald Parker, Chief Curator & Director of Interpretation, Visitor Experiences, and Education representing the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Brad Rogers, Executive Director of South Baltimore Gateway Partnership (SBGP) also provided remarks on the memorial project. Frank Lance, Parks & People President and CEO, welcomed attendees, shared the significance of the event, and introduced moderator Dr. Kaye Whitehead to begin the panel discussion.

Short video recap of the event. A longer video recap will be made available soon.

The 30-minute panel and audience Q&A were followed by breakout workshops led by Kelly Navies (National Museum of African American History and Culture), who facilitated an oral history session, and LaMarr D. Shields (The Cambio Group), who led a session on ASALH, Freedom School on Black joy and legacy.

Overall, the event generated strong enthusiasm from attendees, many of whom expressed that they were learning about the Baltimore Black Sox for the first time. The experience fostered a sense of connection and pride, with participants noting the importance of elevating Black history in Baltimore and beyond. This event also laid the groundwork for ongoing partnerships that may support the Black Sox Memorial’s future development.

Parks & People, in partnership with the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership (SBGP), is proud to support the creation of the Baltimore Black Sox Memorial in Westport.

Reimagine Middle Branch, a community-driven initiative, is led by the City of Baltimore, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, and Parks & People, working alongside a team of expert consultants, stakeholders, and Baltimoreans.