On the occasion of Jackie Robinson Day, 77 years after the legendary Dodgers star shattered the color barrier in Major League Baseball, individuals like Earnest Horton recognize that the journey is far from complete.
As of opening day this year, only 6% of active MLB players were Black, marking the lowest percentage in decades.
"If the grassroots level is struggling and there's a lack of baseball being played in the community, it's no surprise that there's a shortage of Black baseball players in the MLB," Horton shared with CBS News.
Horton, a public school teacher in Chicago, is also the founder of Black Baseball Media, an organization dedicated to providing players from predominantly underserved communities with access to top-notch facilities and exposure to college scouts.
"Seeing is believing. People are buying into the idea," he added.
Among the members of the organization, high school senior Khamaree Thomas and junior Demir Heidelberg have secured spots to play college baseball. Heidelberg, aiming to follow the path of current Black MLB players, highlighted the existing barriers that individuals like him often face.
"Kids with my skin color struggle to get involved because they lack the financial means or the exposure to the sport," he explained.
According to Horton, the most effective way to address this issue is by taking action.
"The time has come for everyone to roll up their sleeves. It's time to come together," he emphasized. "We can't simply watch from the sidelines and gripe about it."
