In a given year, The Black Play-by-Play Grant and Scholarship Fund will distribute one Minor League Baseball Grant and multiple scholarships totaling several thousand dollars. While those who go through the application and interview processes and are selected will receive a financial benefit, there are countless applicants who we still want to be impacting.

To this end, every eligible applicant will become part of a mentor program in which they are paired with a play-by-play professional who has committed to wanting a more diverse future for the broadcast industry.

One of the best things you can do in broadcasting is build a network to learn from and grow with — but there can be more trepidation when the people you’re reaching out to don’t look like you, especially when you’re a college student reaching out to veterans in the industry. Because of that, The Black PxP Fund will reverse roles where the mentors will be tasked with reaching out to the mentees. We have already received commitments from 50+ professionals volunteering for this program, and they will each be assigned to an aspiring broadcaster so that every applicant starts building their professional network while still in school. We have partnered with Learfield IMG College and their national staff of play-by-play broadcasters to work with the aspiring black broadcasters who are starting out on their journey in the industry.

Regardless of whether an applicant is selected for a scholarship or the Minor League Baseball Grant, they will be connected with someone who has already navigated the industry and can be an invaluable resource as they begin their own professional journey.