Each season, the Indianapolis Indians honor the rich legacy of the Negro Leagues in Indianapolis, celebrating the history of the Indianapolis ABCs and Indianapolis Clowns. In collaboration with the Indians, GANGGANG, an Indianapolis-based creative advocacy agency that uses art and culture to foster more connected and equitable communities, is helping uncover and share this history through thoughtful storytelling that strengthens the bond between the team, the city, and our fans. Anchored by the redesign of the ABCs and Clowns in-game jerseys and hats, this year-long cultural campaign reflects the Indians’ commitment to honoring the past while shaping an inclusive future and culminates in the launch of the Indianapolis Indians Negro League Heritage Collection and our annual Negro Leagues games on August 21-22, 2026.
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Indianapolis Black Baseball Legacy Series
Local entertainer and emcee Justin Bland (J. Bland) travels from Kansas City, home of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, back to Indianapolis, uncovering the history and legacy of Black baseball along the way and connecting its impact to the present day. This three-part series highlights the rich history of Black baseball while showcasing the people, places, and stories that continue to shape our city's sports culture today.
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Explore the Inspiration Behind the 2026 Collection
Indianapolis ABCs
Indianapolis Clowns
About Negro Leagues Night 2026
Pregame Ceremonies
Sampson Levingston of Through2Eyes emceed Negro Leagues Weekend. He opened the weekend by welcoming fans to the ballpark and introducing the first video in the Indianapolis Black Baseball Legacy series produced by GANGGANG (see videos above), which uncovers the history and legacy of Black baseball and connects its impact to the present day.
On Friday, Alan Bacon, co-founder of GANGGANG, threw the ceremonial first pitch. Actors from the Indianapolis Black Theatre Company who starred in The District Theatre's 2024 production of Toni Stone dressed as Indianapolis Clowns players and hosted a pregame meet-and-greet in the Center Field Plaza.
On Saturday, fans were welcomed into the ballpark with a Negro Leagues tote bag giveaway and a pregame concert performance from Native Sun in the Center Field Plaza. The Indians honored the family of former ABCs player William "Bill" Owens on-field with a framed jersey presentation, and rap artist and songwriter Oreo Jones threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
In-Game Activations
Throughout the weekend, the Indians wore Indianapolis ABCs jerseys (pictured above). The final two episodes of the Indianapolis Black Baseball Legacy series produced by GANGGANG were shown on the video board in between innings. These videos highlight the rich history of Black baseball while showcasing the people, places and stories that continue to shape our city's sports culture today. Additionally, educational booths from the Indianapolis Black Theatre Company, Chreece Hip-Hop Festival, GANGGANG and 100 Black Men were featured around the concourse.
On Friday, artist Dr. Jarrod Dortch painted an abstract baseball painting live during the game. In the broadcast booth, Indians broadcasters interviewed GANGGANG Executive Director Lesley Gordon. Postgame, the Indianapolis Black Theatre Company performed a 15-minute scene from the play Toni Stone, giving fans an opportunity to experience Indianapolis Clowns player Toni Stone's inspiring story.
On Saturday, Chreece Hip-Hop Festival founder, Oreo Jones, and Indians board member, Milton Thompson, were interviewed on the Indians broadcast. The player-worn ABCs jerseys were bid on with proceeds benefiting Indianapolis Indians Charities and Indy RBI, an organization dedicated to revitalizing youth baseball in the inner city.
About Negro Leagues Night 2025
Pregame Ceremonies
Ahead of Negro Leagues Night, the Indianapolis Indians staff took part in two Black history walk-and-talk tours led by Sampson Levingston of Through2Eyes. These guided experiences highlighted significant locations in Indianapolis’ Black history, with a particular focus on sports. Sampson also threw a ceremonial first pitch and spoke with Indians players before the game, sharing the rich legacy of Black baseball in Indianapolis.
Oscar Charleston Proclamation
Prior to the game, Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas read an official proclamation stating that each June 22 would now be recognized as "Oscar Charleston Day" in Indianapolis. Charleston's baseball career began when he worked as a bat boy for the Indianapolis ABC's before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1912 at 16 years old, where he gained experience on the field by joining the 24th Infantry Division's regimental baseball team. After being honorably discharged in 1915, Charleston returned to Indianapolis and signed with his hometown team again - but this time, as a player. Charleston would go on to spend the next 39 years of his life around the baseball diamonds of 14 United States teams and more in Cuba through both playing and managing. The Indy native ended his career while managing the Indianapolis Clowns. Charleston is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, earning him an induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.
Education
In collaboration with the Indians' marketing team, Levingston also created a virtual Black Baseball History of Indianapolis Walk & Talk, which debuted during the game on July 11, 2025.
The virtual walk features the following historically significant sites:
- Oscar Charleston Park – 2800 E 30th St, Indianapolis, IN 46218
- Douglass Park Baseball Diamonds – 1616 E 25th St, Indianapolis, IN 46218
- Children's Museum Legends Statues – 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
- Old Victory Field / Bush Stadium – 1510 Stadium Way, Indianapolis, IN 46202
- Old Washington Park – 1200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46222
- The Talking Wall (IU Indy Campus) – 550 N Blackford St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
This initiative is part of the Indians' ongoing efforts to honor and celebrate the contributions of Black athletes and communities to the city's baseball history.
ABCs Jerseys
Each Indians player took the field in honor of a Negro Leagues player, wearing specialty jerseys inspired by the historic Indianapolis ABCs. Fans had the opportunity to bid on the game-worn jerseys, with proceeds benefiting Indianapolis Indians Charities and Indy RBI, which is dedicated to revitalizing youth baseball in the inner city.
Negro Leagues Night
"In Honor Of" Lineups
Partnership with GANGGANG
The Indians are proud to partner with GANGGANG, an artist-led cultural agency for equitable cities based in Indianapolis, for Negro Leagues Night 2025.
GANGGANG and a collective of volunteers present BLACK: A Festival of Joy as it returns for its fourth year, rescheduled for Saturday, September 13 at Taggart Memorial Amphitheater in Riverside Park from 3-9 PM. This free outdoor event is a vibrant celebration of Black culture, creativity and joy and will feature a full lineup of live performances, Black-owned food and retail vendors, wellness activations and more. To learn more about the event, visit the event website at the link below.