LEAD partners with Atlanta Braves to offer boys’ baseball league for Black youth

A new L.E.A.D. x APS Rookie League Champion was crowned on April 26 at Booker T. Washington High School: Hollis Innovation Academy. (Courtesy of Tiaras Monet)

To L.E.A.D. Center for Youth co-founder and former Chicago Cubs outfielder C.J. Stewart, embracing baseball is embracing Black history.

“While we were in Africa, it was the sport that we were playing. It wasn’t called baseball, but it was a game with a ball and a stick,” he said.

“I just feel like ever since there’s been any liberation for Black people in America, baseball has always been a part of it,” he added.