The Chicago White Sox welcomed fans to African American Heritage Night on Wednesday, August 14, at 7:10 p.m. vs. the New York Yankees. The ballpark celebration spotlighted rich African American culture and its long history within Chicago, sports and beyond.
The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive ballpark atmosphere, offering a memorable night of cultural festivities, performances, and unique experiences that celebrated the contributions of African Americans to the city’s diverse heritage.
Here’s a look at giveaways and activities fans enjoyed:
Tailgate performance: DJ Commando, a Chicago-based, African American DJ known for his work with organizations like the Chicago Bulls and Power 92 Chicago, delivered an energetic DJ set at Gate 4 before the game.
BMO Small Business Hub: The club’s local small business hub, sponsored by BMO, showcased local, Black-owned businesses, including the Reformed School and Cute as a Cupcake. Additionally, viral Chicago historian Shermann Dilla Thomas promoted his Chicago Mahogony Bus Tour official merchandise.
Jersey Giveaway: The first 10,000 fans to enter the ballpark received a Chicago American Giants Jersey, honoring the Negro Leagues flagship baseball team, founded in 1911.
Pregame performance: The Legacy School of Performing Arts (LSPA), a South Chicagoland institution for youth ages 2 to 17, dazzled fans with a captivating performance before the game. LSPA is a four-time National Grand Champion and Industry Dance Award Nominee.
National Anthem: Soul Children of Chicago, an internationally acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning gospel choir dedicated to positively impacting the lives of local children, delivered a powerful and moving rendition of the national anthem ahead of the game.
In-game performance: Honoring the origins of footwork dance on Chicago’s South and West sides, Creation Global, a Chicago-based Footwork group with a worldwide following, delivered a dynamic in-game performance, showcasing the energy and precision that defines footwork.
Everything Dope T-Shirt Redemption: Fans headed to Section 160 when gates opened to redeem a T-Shirt made in collaboration with historian Shermann Dilla Thomas. The shirts prominently featured the phrase, “Everything Dope About America Comes From Chicago.”
Game Changers: The White Sox invited Kenn Cook Jr. as a part of our Game Changers photographer series, presented by Modelo and Saint Xavier. A Chicago native, Cook’s work has been featured in various local papers and other prestigious publications, with much of it honoring his African American roots.
True Star Media: Wrapping up a season-long collaboration, the White Sox invited True Star Media to capture digital content for African American Heritage Night. Based in Chicago’s South Side, True Star empowers youth to develop, create, and market digital content on platforms that celebrate their identities and perspectives.
Chicago White Sox Celebrate African American Heritage Night was originally published in Inside the White Sox on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.