From a young age, my fascination with sports was less about teams or scores and more about the stories of the athletes themselves. As a middle schooler, I began writing letters to Major League Baseball players, hoping to get my trading cards signed by legends like Duke Snider, George Kell, Bobby Doerr, and Sparky Anderson. When current players didn't respond, I turned my attention to retired Major League athletes until one day I found a pack of Topps featuring players of the Negro Leagues.
With little documentation from the Jim Crow era, these black baseball players, denied careers in the Majors, had largely disappeared from public memory for over 50 years. However, many responded to my letters, sharing their life stories with me. This discovery deepened my fascination, revealing the unrecognized achievements of these athletes.
I began corresponding extensively with former Negro League players, eventually organizing annual reunions to reconnect them after decades apart. This hobby evolved into a mission to secure pensions for these players through Major League Baseball's program. By the time I reached high school, I had located over 100 former players and helped many receive long-overdue financial support.
Throughout college and beyond, I remained dedicated to preserving the history of the Negro Leagues. While studying business management at Tulane University, I continued visiting players, listening to their stories, and assisting them in various ways. Today, I operate an autograph and memorabilia business in Los Angeles, continuing my research and advocacy for Negro League players. My efforts have earned recognition through speaking engagements at schools, appearances on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, and as a TED guest speaker.
With little documentation from the Jim Crow era, these black baseball players, denied careers in the Majors, had largely disappeared from public memory for over 50 years. However, many responded to my letters, sharing their life stories with me. This discovery deepened my fascination, revealing the unrecognized achievements of these athletes.
I began corresponding extensively with former Negro League players, eventually organizing annual reunions to reconnect them after decades apart. This hobby evolved into a mission to secure pensions for these players through Major League Baseball's program. By the time I reached high school, I had located over 100 former players and helped many receive long-overdue financial support.
Throughout college and beyond, I remained dedicated to preserving the history of the Negro Leagues. While studying business management at Tulane University, I continued visiting players, listening to their stories, and assisting them in various ways. Today, I operate an autograph and memorabilia business in Los Angeles, continuing my research and advocacy for Negro League players. My efforts have earned recognition through speaking engagements at schools, appearances on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, and as a TED guest speaker.