The Chicago White Sox are marking Juneteenth, the historic day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. in 1865, with a special collaboration and special programming ahead of this evening’s game vs. Houston at 7:10 p.m.
Looking to empower youth while emphasize the significance of Juneteenth, the White Sox partnered with former Sox second baseman and multidisciplinary artist Micah Johnson to create the custom artwork inspired by the creative input of student-athletes from the Amateur City Elite (ACE) program.
Johnson wove this perspective into his designs, mirroring the athletes’ aspirations both on and off the field. His aim? For individuals, regardless of race, to view it and grasp the Black experience from a youthful standpoint.
The design features an iteration of Johnson’s digital character, Aku, as seen on the cover of Time Magazine in 2022. Aku — inspired by a young boy’s question about the possibility of Black astronauts — sports an oversized helmet and embodies a thirst for exploration.
The look will be featured on T-Shirts and uniform patches worn by ACE and Team Teflon athletes this upcoming weekend.
ACE is the team’s award-winning travel baseball program, created to provide resources and mentorship through baseball to young Black men in some of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods.
Additional Juneteenth festivities scheduled prior to this evening’s game include:
Championship Plaza Flag Raising: ACE players will raise a Juneteenth flag featuring custom artwork designed last year through a collaboration with Chicago-based visual artist Edo.
Game Ball Delivery, Take the Field, and Play Ball Experiences: Young athletes from ACE and Team Teflon will participate in special pregame activities.
National Anthem: The Bournés family, descendants of notable abolitionists and a talented music group consisting of five sisters, three brothers, and their mother, will perform the evening’s National Anthem.
Ceremonial First Pitch: The game’s ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by Chicago Fire midfielder Kellyn Acosta and Chicago-native actress and rapper Ta’Rhonda Jones, best known for playing Porsha Taylor on FOX’s television series “Empire.”
In-Game Performance by Redds Angelz: This Chicago-based Hip-Hop and contemporary dance company will perform at the end of the 3rd inning from the ballpark’s Xfinity Kids Zone.
Refine Collective Partnership: The White Sox have partnered with Refine Collective for the Juneteenth Freedom Market at the Salt Shed. Attendees will receive digital photo collages featuring White Sox branding. Refine Collective supports minority-owned businesses and freelancers, aiming to channel purchasing power into underrepresented communities.
Through art, sport, and celebration, the White Sox and its partners craft a memorable and meaningful Juneteenth experience for fans of all backgrounds.
Learn more about upcoming multicultural celebrations at the ballpark by signing up for the Baseball for All Bulletin at whitesox.com.
White Sox Celebrate Juneteenth with Micah Johnson Artwork Collaboration, Among Other Festivities was originally published in Inside the White Sox on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.