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White Sox celebrate rising stars for Black History Month
The Chicago White Sox are commemorating Black History Month with a special event highlighting the impact of their Amateur City Elite program on Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
CHICAGO - The Chicago White Sox on Tuesday commemorated Black History Month with a special event highlighting the impact of their Amateur City Elite (ACE) program at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Fifteen rising baseball stars, all African American, were present at the event. Established in 2007, the ACE program mentors young black athletes aspiring to succeed in baseball while also providing resources for broader personal development.
Participants in the ACE program are paired with mentors, engage in discussions on mental health, and have access to ACT prep resources. Although the program's signing day occurred in November, organizers arranged an additional event featuring surprises such as a Q&A session with assistant manager Josh Barfield and dinner with the student-athletes and their families.
Sir Jamison Jones is currently ranked the 5th overall player in Illinois and the 14th catcher in the country.
"I consider the coaches fathers," Jones said when speaking about the benefits of the ACE program.
Statistics show about 7% percent of MLB players are Black. These athletes are working to change that narrative.
Since its inception, the ACE program has seen more than 280 participants, with over 29 ACE alumni selected in the Major League Baseball draft.