Black History On Screen

Riverhead Anti-Bias Task Force and The Suffolk present the second annual “Black History On Screen” series with a free screening of “The League” at The Suffolk on Friday, February 21, at 7 p.m.

On May 30, 2024, Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the official announcement that the statistics of more than 2,300 Negro League players from the years 1920-1948 were officially incorporated into MLB’s historical record, and that the records will become a permanent part of baseball history.

“The League” is a 2023 documentary directed by Sam Pollard that delves into the history of Negro League Baseball in the United States. The film highlights the league’s significant impact on both the sport and the civil rights movement, showcasing how it thrived despite the challenges of segregation. Through archival footage and interviews, it brings to light the stories of legendary players and the community’s resilience during the Jim Crow era.

The event will begin with opening remarks from New York Met Dwight Gooden and will feature a post-screening forum moderated by Mark MK McLaughlin, chairman of the Anti-Bias Task Force, with Green Bay Packers Super Bowl winner Gary Lee Brown, baseball historian Fabio Montella, Chris R. Vaccaro, president of Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame, and Kia Wright, a Long Island basketball player and coach.

Tickets for the event are free but must be reserved at thesuffolk.org. The Suffolk is at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.