The third annual HBCU & Greek Night is back for 2024. The American Association Kansas City Monarchs are hosting the popular and meaningful theme night on Friday, August 23 in partnership with the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce and Carter Broadcasting Group in support of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) and its “Pitch for the Future” capital campaign to build the nation’s only Negro Leagues campus. 20% of ticket sales from the night will directly benefit the NLBM.
The third annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) & Greek Night, presented by Dairy Farmers of America, honors the connection between the Negro Leagues and HBCUs. That includes the legacy of museum founder Buck O’Neil, who attended Edward Waters College in Florida before embarking on his baseball career.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to educate the public about this little-known facet as it relates to Negro Leagues history; provide and engaging and entertaining social outing for the Greek community and raise support and greater interest for the exciting next phase of growth for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum,” said NLBM President Bob Kendrick.
In May of 2023, the NLBM announced plans to build a new 30,000 square-foot museum adjacent to the Paseo YMCA (1824 Paseo, KCMO), the birthplace of the Negro Leagues, and the future home of the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center. The $25 million project will create an international hub for Negro Leagues and social history and will become the gateway into the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.
“We couldn’t be more excited to host the Pitch for the Future capital campaign fundraiser at Legends Field. The partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is essential to us and I am happy we can contribute to the museum’s growth and future success. We’re glad we can be the stage for HBCU Greek Night to honor the museum, the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, KPRS and the entire HBCU Greek community. Let’s hope for a sellout so the check is a big one!” said American Association Monarchs Team Owner Mark Brandmeyer.
ABOUT THE NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM:
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. The privately funded, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization was established in 1990 and is in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri’s Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. The NLBM operates two blocks from the Paseo YMCA where Andrew “Rube” Foster established the Negro National League in 1920.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN ASSOICATION KANSAS CITY MONARCHS:
The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2024 will be their 21st season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. This year, the American Association Monarchs and the museum are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Negro League World Series, won by the Monarchs in 1924.