Former President Clinton to Participate in Civil Rights Game Festivities
Former President Bill Clinton will come to Cincinnati to be the keynote speaker for Major League Baseball’s Beacon Awards Luncheon on June 20.
The luncheon, at Duke Energy Center, is honoring three civil rights luminaries: Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby and Henry (Hank) Aaron. Later that day, the Civil Rights Game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox will be played at Great American Ball Park.
The Civil Rights Game was created by MLB two years ago to increase awareness of the role baseball played in breaking the color barrier of segregation in American society in the years after World War II.
As part of the weekend of activities, the Freedom Center on June 19 is hosting a Roundtable discussion of civil rights-related issues in the Harriet Tubman Theater. The Roundtable will begin at 4 p.m., moderated by Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree and featuring a broad array of local and national guest panelists.
Proceeds from the Beacon Awards Luncheon will benefit the MLB Urban Youth Foundation, the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon and the Gillette Civil Rights Game, please visit www.MLB.com/civilrightsgame.
This is a great opportunity for the city!
Just came from a Cincinnati Reds game and walking to game noticed that most buldings are marked coming over from KY but not the Freedom Center. May be an oversight but that awesome bulding should be marked….in lights even! Just wanted to let you know..thanks.
To: Paul Bernish
Hi Paul,
Would you help us in getting this message across to your publics, as well as to the Reds and MLB? Or send me a list of people I should contact?
They may be interested in knowing what we are doing in regard to your Civil Rights Game in Cincinnati.
Our board has agreed to give free admission to our Parker House museum to any organized baseball team during the month of next June.
As you know, we are located in Ripley, 55 miles east of Cincinnati. It is where the term “Underground Railroad” is believed to have orginated and where the famous mother-and-child icey river crossing in Uncle Tom’s Cabin is generally considered to have taken place.
The museum’s mission since its founding 12 years ago has been to show the historical importance of abolitionists to civil rights by telling the true story of Ripley resident John P, Parker. As you know, Mr. Parker risked his life many times as he helped more than 600 fuhitive slaves to freedom through Ripley.
The museum is housed in Mr. Parker’s restored home on the bank
on the Ohio River. It includes displays showing Mr. Parker’s life as a slave, then gaining his freedom, becoming a fierce fighter for the freedom of slaves, and finally as a succedssful business and familty man, U.S. patent-holding inventor and a scholar.
Our offer is to complete and organized baseball teams from tots to grandparents in age. The free admission can be arranged through our website at http://www.johnparkehouse.com, or by phoning the museum at 937-392-4188, or by writing the musuem at 330 North Front Street, Ripley, Ohio, 45167. A guide will be assigned to meet the team and show the displays.
Any major leaguer will be admitted free by appointment any month.
The more people know about John P. Parker, the better the world.
— Dan Pinger, 513-304-7696. I am vice president and treasurer of the John P. Parker Historical Society and Ripley resident.