Carbondale event to celebrate Negro Leagues history and inspire future leaders

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — The City of Carbondale will host “Carbondale Game Changers,” a family-friendly event celebrating the history and legacy of the Negro Leagues at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at MTN Dew Park in Marion.

The event, themed “Swing Big, Dream Bigger,” aims to educate youth and community members about the history of baseball and the lasting impact of the Negro Leagues on sports and American culture.

Youth from local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois and I Can Read, will join Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey and city officials to attend a Thrillville Thrillbillies game while learning about the Negro Leagues’ role in promoting perseverance, opportunity and community pride.

As part of the initiative, community members are also encouraged to visit the “Buck: Right on Time” exhibit at The Oasis in the former Marion Mall through June 30. The traveling exhibit from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum highlights the life and legacy of baseball legend John “Buck” O’Neil.

Carbondale Game Changers is supported by Healing Illinois, a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois and the Southern Illinois Community Foundation.