Continuing its seventh season, the Game Changers series, presented by Modelo Especial® and Saint Xavier University, empowers underrepresented communities in sports by welcoming photographers to capture a White Sox game through their own perspective.
In honor of African American Heritage Night, the organization invited Chicago-based artist Donald Crocker to be the series’ seventh featured photographer.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for a night like this,” said the 22-year-old photographer. “I’m very grateful to be invited by the organization for the night’s festivities, and I’m really looking forward to being in the environment and capturing the experience for the players and the fans.”
Crocker fell in love with photography during his sophomore year of high school while photographing a high school baseball game for the school’s newspaper.
“I shot that game through a fence with my phone,” he explained. “The photos were terrible, but it really gave me a different way to look at and experience sports.”
Sports have always held deep meaning for Crocker, who played baseball, basketball, and soccer growing up.
“For me, sports stood out because of everything that surrounds the competition. You get culture. You get music. You get the sport, the passion and emotion from the fans. That’s what elevates photographing sports for me.”
While Crocker enjoys the thrill of photography, what matters most to him is giving back to the community.
“Giving back to children is very important to me,” explained the photographer. “Helping the African American community and giving back to those that might not necessarily have my opportunity has always been a goal of mine. I’ve always believed there is power in seeing someone who looks like you in a position of power. It drives you to know you can achieve that same dream.
“DePaul gave me the opportunity to mentor young kids through one of their programs, and I was able to help them shoot a professional game, some of them as young as 15. I didn’t have that until I was 22! It was amazing getting to teach them.”
As the talented young photographer continues to illuminate the world through his lens, he is making sure that his artistic journey will inspire generations to come.
Check out some of Donald’s favorite shots from the celebration of African American heritage at Guaranteed Rate Field. Fans can learn more about Crocker and follow his work on Instagram @dcrockermedia.
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Game Changers: Through the Lens of Donald Crocker was originally published in Inside the White Sox on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.