The Gospel of the Negro League

Experience an intimate exhibition dedicated to the remarkable surviving players of the Negro League. Rube Foster established The Negro Leagues in 1920 as African Americans were not permitted to play Major League Baseball for 70 years. This league allowed athletes of color to participate in organized games against each other and offered a form of entertainment for fans. The events showcased notable athletic skills.

After Major League Baseball integrated in 1947, allowing Jackie Robinson to join, The Negro Leagues began to decline. The best players of color were selected to join Major League Baseball, resulting in diminished interest in The Negro Leagues. Despite these challenges, The Negro Leagues persisted until 1961. For the past two decades, artist Bill Chapman has dedicated considerable time to Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, where he honors and photographs surviving players.