New York Yankees Honoring Recipients of Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative

The New York Yankees have revealed plans for a special ceremony at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, June 18, to honor the recipients of the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative. This initiative, in its sixth year, awards scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in New York City who have shown academic excellence, advocacy for equality, and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

The awards ceremony will take place before the Yankees face off against the Orioles at 7:05 p.m. The event will also highlight the 2024 recipients of the scholarships, each receiving a $10,000 scholarship to support their college education.

The Yankees-Stonewall Initiative was first introduced in 2019 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Uprising, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. The initiative is aligned with the Yankees’ Diversity & Inclusion Committee, emphasizing equality and inclusivity.

The selection process for the scholarships is managed by the New York City Department of Education, with each public high school nominating one graduating senior for consideration. A panel, including representatives from the Yankees, Stonewall Inn, Major League Baseball, and Athlete Ally, selects the recipients.

During the ceremony, the 2024 scholarship recipients will participate in batting practice as guests of the Yankees. They will be recognized in a pregame ceremony alongside representatives from the Yankees, Stonewall Inn, Major League Baseball, Athlete Ally, and the Department of Education.

Notable figures who participated in notifying the students of their scholarship via Zoom included Brian Cashman, Brian Smith, Jean Afterman from the Yankees, Kurt Kelly, Stacy Lentz from The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, Billy Bean from Major League Baseball, Robert York from Athlete Ally, and various representatives from the NYC Department of Education.

In a statement, Brian Cashman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Yankees, expressed his pride in the scholars and the organization’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Schools Chancellor David C. Banks also commended the initiative for providing valuable opportunities to LGBTQIA+ students.

Stacy Lentz, Co-Owner of the Stonewall Inn and CEO of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, and Kurt Kelly, Owner of the Stonewall Inn, praised the Yankees for their support of the LGBTQ+ community through the scholarship program.