Richmond (VA) – Each April 15 since 2004, Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day to commemorate them being the first professional sport to break the color barrier and integrate their industries. An April 9, 2007 article from ESPN.com entitled “Robinson would have a mixed view of today’s game” included an intriguing question: “What would Jackie think? William Forrester Jr. was asked to answer this question and his candid response introduced him and his organization, the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL), to the sports world. Now, Forrester invites you to answer this question after reading his veracious and inspiring book, “Black World Series.”
It’s a feel-good story that will inspire sports enthusiasts and anyone interested in African American history. In 1966, Dr. William M.T. Forrester started his youth baseball league, MJBL, when his son and other Black youths were denied the opportunity to participate in white little leagues.
Four decades after the launch of MJBL, Forrester Jr. led a national initiative through the organization his father started to help improve the quality of life for Black and underserved youths by providing educational and athletic programs. The focal point of this initiative was Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and some of the figureheads from this movement included a top executive from the sports industry, the leading sports media network, and the family of the perennial long-ball hitter in baseball.
Black World Series is a story intended to motivate and inspire readers while gathering support for the MJBL program, which is still in operation today. Fans of true stories about overcoming adversity and preserving against incredible odds will find Black World Series a great addition to their home library. “We are thrilled to host the ‘Black World Series’ Book Launch here at BHMVA because the content and context align with our mission to celebrate and share African American history and pay homage to the unyielding spirit of pioneers like Jackie Robinson. Forrester’s
compelling narrative intertwines the realms of sports and history, echoing the resilience and triumphs that resonate with our rich cultural heritage. Join us in exploring this inspiring story that advocates for positive change in the lives of Black and underserved youth through the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League.”
Black World Series is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com beginning mid-March.
###
The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia celebrates the rich culture of African American people in Virginia and shares their stories to provide a complete and more inclusive history of their contributions to America’s story. For more information visit www.blackhistorymuseum.org.
