Dirty Birds help out at African-American Heritage Night

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — This year marks the 5th annual African-American Heritage Night with the Charleston Dirty Birds baseball team.

The two-night event starts next week, though organizers and community leaders gave 13 News a sneak peak.

Monday starts things off with a special reception, with food by Charleston’s own James-Beard winner Chef Paul. Tuesday’s baseball game will be followed by a dance party with Kida the Great, along with some local artists.

The event was created in 2019 and was the first time any sports organization in the state held an event of its kind.

“My father was a huge baseball fan and a huge fan of the negro leagues. And, to know that we have someone from West Virginia that was the first female baseball player. I learned that just from being on the committee and putting together this night. So, to be able to celebrate Toni Stone and all of those trailblazers is just important and to know that she was from West Virginia, I think we need to celebrate that.” said Jennifer Pharr, co-chair of the African-American Heritage Committee.

New this year will be a baseball clinic led by Dirty Birds Manager P.J. Phillips and several players to introduce community kids to baseball.

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