Play for Justice 2020-2021 Highlights
In This Together In the summer of 2020, Liberty Hill facilitated a meeting with several of our community partners and players from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The goal was to encourage players to use their platforms to raise funds and awareness for social justice organizations and learn more about the work of these dedicated community organizers. Inspired, the Los Angeles Dodgers teamed up with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to release a special edition “In This Together” T-shirt. Net proceeds will provide critical support to
Liberty Hill’s Our Kids, Our Future Fund, helping organizations combating racial inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Dodgers players then released a video message, speaking out against racial injustice in America. They personally committed to matching funds raised from the “In This Together” special edition t-shirt and from an auction of jerseys worn by the team on Opening Day that featured Major League Baseball’s Black Lives Matter patch.
“Your role in change starts two steps past where you are comfortable.”
Julio Marcial
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Liberty Hill Foundation
Dodger Players on Social Justice July 16, 2020
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Dodgers pledge to work on social justice causes with ‘In This Together’ initiative July 17, 2020
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“Silence is no longer an option. I’m fighting for my teammates and their families and their communities. And that is why we must unapologetically say that Black Lives Matter.”
Clayton Kershaw Professional Baseball Pitcher
Los Angeles Dodgers
We are excited to announce that we are a winner of the 2021 @RWJF Sports Award! September 29, 2021
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Commemorating Juneteenth June 18, 2021
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Auction for Good In honor of Juneteenth—game jerseys worn by Dodgers on Jackie Robinson Day including Mookie Betts, David Price, Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner were available for auction. Net proceeds from this auction helped power our youth development work across L.A. County.
Thank you to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Kershaw’s Challenge for their continued support of Liberty Hill and our California Funders for Boys and Men of Color Southern California work to improve the lives of youth of color.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Ellen and Clayton Kershaw Commit More Than $300,000 to Social & Racial Justice The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation announced a grant of $304,400 to Liberty Hill Foundation’s California Funders For Boys and Men of Color: Our Kids, Our Future Fund to support the thirteen Southern California community partners who are working with the County of Los Angeles to develop the most comprehensive approach to youth development in the nation. The grant is a continuation of the commitment stemming from a listening session orchestrated by the Dodgers Foundation and Liberty Hill Foundation which included Dodgers players
Clayton Kershaw, Joc Pederson, Ross Stripling and Justin Turner, and leaders from four of the organizations receiving support from the Our Kids, Our Future Fund: the Brotherhood Crusade; Children’s Defense Fund of California; the Brothers, Sons, Selves Coalition; and the Community Coalition. After hearing these leaders speak about their work to tackle systemic inequities, the players were inspired to use their platforms to support and amplify their efforts.
“Historic injustices threaten youth, families, and communities making it difficult for them to succeed. This grant is crucial as we invest in people and organizations on the front lines advocating for Black and Brown communities, who often lack resources and support.”
Nichol Whiteman
Chief Executive Officer
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
The March to Progress Continues Through Partnerships April 22, 2021
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How the Dodgers’ social justice campaign will benefit Southern California September 11, 2020
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“The Dodgers have been very clear. They’re focusing on the injustice and the core idea that black lives matter. These organizations that I listed off are all part of a collective group of organizations who are addressing systemic racism. This is not about a hashtag. Hashtags don’t start movements. People do.”
Julio Marcial
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Liberty Hill Foundation
Dodgers Foundation Solidifies Support for Social Justice Initiatives This past August, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Kershaw’s Challenge announced a generous $110,000 grant in support of our collective work on social justice and youth development.
To date, the Dodgers Foundation and Kershaw’s Challenge have raised more than $415,000 for this critical work. This marks a bold step forward and a significant investment in our work in Los Angeles.
“This work is critical in helping Los Angeles County become the nation’s leader in youth development. This investment is a huge boost to the on-the-ground organizing we support, and it will ensure youth in Los Angeles have the resources and programs they need to thrive. We are so grateful for the support of the Dodgers Foundation.”
Shane Murphy Goldsmith President & Chief Executive Officer
Liberty Hill Foundation
Grants made by Liberty Hill Foundation support social justice organizations across L.A. County.