Become a part of the story that needs to be told.
The Story: More than incredible athletes.
The Baltimore Black Sox won the 1929 American Negro League title with a blistering 53-29 record.
Their power came from their famed “Million Dollar Infield”. The Black Sox played in Westport from 1917-1932, just steps from where Hall-of-Famer Al Kaline would be born in 1934. Seven Black Sox players are now enshrined in the Hall of Fame, including Satchell Paige, Leon Day, and Jud “Boojum” Wilson.
Their pitcher, Dr. Frank “Doc” Sykes, was the key witness in the Scottsboro Boys trial, which established the rights of Black Americans to be tried by a jury of their peers. Their local rivals were led by former World Lightweight Boxing Champion, Joe Gans.
The Memorial Walk
This stunning space will feature bronze statues, with a new statue added annually at an unveiling ceremony in partnership with the national Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
The Plan
We hope to establish the first of a national network of sites recognizing the achievements of athletes from baseball’s Negro Leagues. The Westport Waterfront Park will restore waterfront access and improve quality of life for legacy residents while attracting new investment.
The Middle Branch
This project is a critical element of Reimagine Middle Branch, which is transforming the Middle Branch into Baltimore’s next great waterfront.
Awarded the coveted Planning Excellence Award from the American Planning Association, this work includes a pipeline of $200 million worth of work now underway across South Baltimore.
Completing the Quiet Phase
During this quiet phase of our campaign, we have secured or identified $10 million of our $30 million campaign goal.
We invite you to join this phase of the campaign to raise $5 million in the next 6-12 months through multiple donations or a single lead gift. This will make it possible for us to enter the public phase of the campaign.
It is our goal to close out the entire campaign in the next 12-24 months.
For more information about giving levels and how to contribute, please contact
Development Director, Jim Longenecker: jlongenecker@sbgpartnership.org, 443-841-6859.
Gifts may be made to the South Baltimore Gateway Foundation in the form of check and support the work of the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership to improve the communities of South Baltimore. South Baltimore Gateway Foundation is recognized as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Tax ID: 39-3707656). Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided by the organization in exchange for this financial donation.
South Baltimore Gateway Foundation
Attn: Office of Development
101 W. Dickman Street, Suite 1000
Baltimore, MD 21230
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