Welcome to the Baltimore Black Sox Memorial Project!

Who are the Baltimore Black Sox?

The Baltimore Black Sox baseball team was founded in 1913 and began playing in Westport in 1917 as part of the Negro Leagues. The Baltimore Black sox Memorial will be a prominent feature along a new African American Heritage Trail in Westport, symbolizing the indelible legacy of the Baltimore Black Sox and their profound influence on the city’s African American history and baseball culture.

Baltimore Black Sox Sculpture Project (BSSP) & Artist Selection

The Black Sox Sculpture Project is a public art initiative that honors the legacy of the Baltimore Black Sox through a series of large-scale sculptures commemorating historic team members. Led by Maryland Art Place in collaboration with Parks & People and the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, the project brings together artists from across the region to create a permanent memorial that celebrates the team's contributions to Baltimore's history, culture, and community. The sculptures will be installed in the future Westport Waterfront Park, creating a lasting tribute that connects residents and visitors to the story of the Baltimore Black Sox for generations to come.

Learn more

Parks & People, in partnership with the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership (SBGP), is thrilled to lead the creation of the Baltimore Black Sox Memorial in Westport as part of the Reimagine Middle Branch Initiative.

Important Links

Baltimore Black Sox Memorial (project overview and artist selection information): www.blacksoxmemorial.org

Project FAQ’s: FAQ

Reimagine Middle Branch

The African American Heritage Trail is an important facet of the Reimagine Middle Branch Plan’s framework for development to honor and celebrate African American culture through the creation of a heritage district. Reimagine Middle Branch is a community-driven initiative, is led by the City of Baltimore, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, and Parks & People, working alongside a team of expert consultants, stakeholders, HBCU faculty and students and Baltimoreans.

Read the Press Release | Feb. 14th

Learn more about Reimagine Middle Branch

Black Sox Research Program with Coppin State University

The Baltimore Black Sox Memorial Project honors the legacy of the Negro League team that once played in Westport, Baltimore. Supported by a generous anonymous donation to Parks & People, the initiative funded a paid research fellowship led by Dr. Dupree-Wilson, engaging Coppin State University students in exploring the Black Sox’s impact on civil rights, community development, and the history of baseball. Their research culminated in a public showcase on November 18, 2025, helping bring this important chapter of Baltimore’s history to new audiences and informing ongoing efforts to preserve and share the team's story.

Project Beginnings

Our journey began in 2018, and we are excited to invite you to be an integral part of this meaningful endeavor. This website serves as your gateway to comprehensive information about the project, offering a detailed letter outlining our vision, a survey to gather your invaluable insights, a schedule of upcoming community information sessions, and a comprehensive FAQ with pre-determined questions we look to answer in the initial phases.

We firmly believe that the truest reflection of Baltimore’s rich history can only be achieved through collaboration with the community and stakeholders like you. In the coming months, we are launching an extensive outreach campaign designed to ensure that this memorial resonates with the entire community. We are dedicated to embracing diverse perspectives and ideas in our approach. To achieve this, we have joined forces with Mayson Dixon Companies (MDC), a local African American-owned community engagement team, to establish meaningful connections with community leaders, neighborhood associations, local officials, and other key stakeholders.

Your voice matters in shaping the Baltimore Black Sox Memorial, and we are excited to embark on this collective journey with you. Explore our website to learn more, get involved, and help us honor this remarkable piece of Baltimore’s history. Together, we can make history come alive.

Connect with the Baltimore Black Sox Memorial Team via email to get involved: blacksoxpark@parksandpeople.org