Houston nonprofit, Astros treat kids to All-Star ‘Day with Dusty’ as summer initiative for Black youth kicks off
Nearly 100 youth from various underserved communities in the Houston area were given the “All-Star” experience at Minute Maid Park Wednesday, June 14, for the official kickoff of an initiative to send thousands of Black youth to see the Astros, led by legendary manager Dusty Baker, play.
Thanks to the Astros organization, the children were taken to the official team press room for a “Conversation with Dusty Baker,” moderated by KRIV Fox 26’s Nate Griffin and emceed by “Uncle Funky” Larry Jones of Radio One’s Majic 102 FM.
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In honor of Dusty’s birthday, all attendees of the game were given a signature, replica Dusty Baker ring for “Ring Day” at the ballpark.
Children and their families in attendance that day represented Kashmere High School, the Lincoln City Rays and Black Sox little teams. MORE TEAMS WILL PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING GAMES THROUGHOUT SUMMER.
How it all began…….
The initiative is a labor of love and concept created by local nonprofit Sister 2 Sistah, co-founded by Rebecca Briscoe and Nakia Cooper.
Briscoe and Cooper have either led or created multiple events around the city for children, young adults and the elderly.
The pair most notably led for two years “Holiday Hoopla” for the Dwight D. and Sheryl H. Howard Foundation. Those weekend kid extravaganzas paired children with NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, other professional athletes, media personalities and business and community leaders for weekend workshops of basketball fundamentals, mentoring, and celebrity-filled bowling for a “mentorship between the lanes.”
After Howard left the city, there was a void that needed to be filled. Briscoe and Cooper felt that baseball would be the perfect fit for the children to be re-introduced to the sport, which was once the staple of African American households.
The idea sat on the table for at least two years until Baker joined the team. After a “nothing but God” connection to Baker and a commitment from him to become involved, the concept sat almost another two years for the right time to become available. Baker was busy leading the Astros to greatness, stacking wins and World Championships.
When he gave the greenlight, the women moved at warp-speed, gathering children and campaigning through the media and grassroots methods to raise funds to take care of all expenses.
Still room to sign up and participate!
The selected children will be provided with tickets, food and transportation – for free – to enjoy the Astros games. The goal is to send at least two thousand children to a series of the Astros home games over summer vacation.
More donations are needed!!!
If you would like to donate, please visit gofundme.
If you would like to sponsor a game for the children, please contact sister2sistah@gmail.com.
If you would like to sign up your child to go the game (parents and siblings are included – it’s a family affair) please also contact sister2sistah@gmail.com.
