Why the HBCU Seattle Series is a Game-Changer for Our Community
By Omari Salisbury
On Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 PM, something special is happening at T-Mobile Park. The HBCU Seattle Series finale is bringing the heat as the Seattle University Redhawks take on the Jackson State University Tigers. This isn’t just a game; it’s a celebration of culture, a spotlight on collegiate opportunity, and a vision for the future of our youth.
For the last eight years, Converge Media has stood side-by-side with Baseball Beyond Borders (BBB) and its founder, Bookie Gates. We’ve documented the pain, passion, and purpose that fuels this movement, and we are proud to invite you to the next chapter of this incredible journey.
Building on a Legacy
This movement gained massive momentum in 2023. We all remember when over 10,000 people flooded T-Mobile Park for the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic. That energy proved that Seattle is hungry for the excellence that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) bring to the diamond.
We took that inspiration and turned it into action. Last year, the series debuted with Coppin State University making the trip to the Northwest. Seeing our local community engage with those players set the stage for what we are doing now with Jackson State.
The Vision: A Seattle Staple
The larger goal is bold and necessary: Baseball Beyond Borders envisions an annual HBCU Baseball and Softball Tournament in Seattle featuring multiple teams from across the country.
By making this a yearly tradition, we aren’t just hosting a tournament, but are creating a roadmap. We want our young people to see that an HBCU education is a powerful and accessible option. When we show our youth what is possible, we empower them to dream bigger.
Partners in Progress
This work requires a village, and we are lucky to have world-class partners in this mission:
The Seattle Mariners & Mariners Care Foundation: Their support has been unwavering. By opening the gates of T-Mobile Park and investing in these athletes, they are helping us bridge the gap between youth sports and the big leagues.
Converge Media: Our role has always been to tell the stories that matter. We’ve been the megaphone for BBB for nearly a decade because we believe that representation shapes belief.
Be There on March 8th
We need you in those seats. When Jackson State takes the field against Seattle U on March 8th, let’s show them the soul of the Pacific Northwest. Let’s show our young people that their community supports their ambition.
Event Details:
Who: Seattle University vs. Jackson State University
What: HBCU Seattle Series Finale
When: Sunday, March 8th | 2:00 PM
Where: T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA
Don’t just watch history happen—be part of making it. Get your tickets here, bring the family, and let’s show the world what happens when Seattle shows up for its youth.
