Hank Aaron Week

Presented by Google

This year, the Atlanta Braves will celebrate Hank Aaron Week presented by Google from July 30 – August 3, celebrating the life and legacy of Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron and his profound impact on baseball, in business, and through his philanthropic efforts. Through the Henry Louis Aaron Fund (HLAF), the Atlanta Braves are committed to fulfilling Hank’s lifelong mission to expand equity and access in youth baseball & softball and increase opportunity for diverse representation in baseball’s front offices.

Tuesday, July 30

L.E.A.D. Center for Youth Community Champions Award Celebration

L.E.A.D. is a sports-based development organization that uses baseball as tool to empower Black youth to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty, and racism. The dinner will showcase L.E.A.D.’s work supporting young athletes in achieving educational goals and overcoming circumstances through baseball. This is a ticketed event in support of L.E.A.D. Center for Youth. For more information, please click here.

Wednesday, July 31

United States Postal Service Stamp Unveil

The Atlanta Braves are partnering with the United States Postal Service to unveil a stamp in honor of Henry Louis Aaron at Truist Park. The ceremony will take place at 10:00am and the first day-of-issue event is free and open to the public. The stamp art features a portrait of Aaron as a member of the Atlanta Braves, based on a 1968 photo, showing Aaron’s famous right-handed batting stance from the waist up. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp and pane with original art by Chuck Styles and typography by Kevin Cantrell. This event is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP.

Author Talks at Atlanta History Center: Howard Bryant

Bryant is the author of The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the exclusive exhibition More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron before or after the author talk. This is a ticketed event.

Thursday, August 1

Braves RBI Scholarship Recipient Recognition

As part of the Atlanta Braves’ efforts to create more equity and access in baseball and softball, the team will recognize the 2024 Braves RBI athletes who are receiving scholarships made possible by Morgan Wallen Foundation. These eight exceptional baseball and softball players will be matriculating out of Braves RBI this year and heading to collegiate baseball and softball programs across the country. The Braves will celebrate the 650+ athletes that participated in Braves RBI Summer League powered by Marquis Grissom Baseball Association and “send off” the scholarship recipients in a pre-game, on-field ceremony.

Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3

Cultural Day and Hank Aaron Invitational

In partnership with the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF), the Braves will host the top 44 elite high school baseball players from the Hank Aaron Invitational for a special cultural day on Friday, August 2 and showcase game on Saturday, August 3 at Truist Park. The players will be selected to participate based on their performance during the week prior at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla.

On Friday, these elite athletes will enjoy a guided tour of the More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron exhibit and lunch at the Atlanta History Center. Special guests including Mrs. Billye Aaron, Ambassador Andrew Young, and Dusty Baker will lead a conversation with the athletes about Hank Aaron’s experience and perseverance in baseball and beyond. That evening, the athletes will be recognized on-field before the Atlanta Braves take on the Miami Marlins at Truist Park.

The Hank Aaron Invitational is an annual event – supported by USA Baseball and the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation – featuring the top 44 high school-aged players from around the United States. The 7-inning showcase game will take place on Saturday morning at Truist Park with a 10:35 a.m. first pitch. Hank Aaron Invitational is open to the public. Free tickets must be claimed in advance.