The New York Yankees today announced the creation of the New York Yankees Diversity and Inclusion Committee to identify, engage and address issues related to equality, racial justice and inclusivity. The formalization of this Committee, which took place in September, was the result of an extended period of planning and collaboration with community leaders and within the Yankees organization to determine the appropriate framework for imparting meaningful and long-lasting change.
Precipitated by the profound impact of recent, senseless tragedies in communities throughout our nation, this Committee’s mission focuses on identifying and combating disparities and systemic inequities that obstruct socioeconomic fairness and progress for marginalized groups.
“We are thankful — and honored — to bring such a distinguished and passionate group of people together in support of this critically urgent issue,” said New York Yankees Managing General Partner, Hal Steinbrenner. “Racial injustices and disparities in all forms are stark obstacles that impact the cohesion and quality of our society. The New York Yankees Diversity and Inclusion Committee was formed to provide a forum for open discourse that leads to higher ground as an organization and produce actionable steps that guide our continued commitment to positive change.”
Yankees participants include Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman, Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, special advisor CC Sabathia, hitting coach Marcus Thames, bullpen coach Mike Harkey and numerous others. Actor and director Spike Lee is among the community members serving on the committee.
Activation initiatives have begun, and they include the historic Yankees-CUNY (City University of New York) Partnership Program. Its creation is predicated on identifying and exposing CUNY students and alumni to career paths, employment, and business opportunities throughout the New York Yankees organization. This relationship between the Yankees and CUNY, the largest urban university system in the United States, will also include direct immersion into the New York Yankees Sport Management Mentoring Program. Of particular note, CUNY’s demographics include a wide swath of minorities and other individuals who are underrepresented in corporate settings.
Community members on the committee:
• Jose Calderon: Former president, Hispanic Federation
• Ana Garcia: Director, government & community affairs, NewYork-Presbyterian
• Spike Lee: Forty Acres & A Mule Filmworks
• Daniel Quintero: Executive rirector, Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club
• Arva Rice: President & CEO, New York Urban League, Inc.
• Janis Robinson: Vice president, institutions & partnerships, Food Bank for New York City
• Meisha Ross-Porter: Executive superintendent for the Bronx, New York City Department of Education
• Elizabeth Toledo: Vice president of field operations, YMCA of Greater New York
Members of the committee from the Yankees:
• Hal Steinbrenner: Managing general partner/chairperson
• Randy Levine, Esq.: President
• Brian Cashman: Senior VP, general manager
• Brian Smith: Senior VP, corporate/community relations
• Aryn Sobo, Esq.: VP, human resources, employment & labor law
• Jason Zillo: VP, communications & media relations
• Robert Brown: VP & CFO, accounting
• CC Sabathia: Yankees special advisor
• Reggie Jackson: Former Yankee & baseball Hall of Famer
• Marcus Thames: Yankees hitting coach
• Mike Harkey: Yankees bullpen coach
• Rose Barre: Yankees executive director, sales, service and business strategy
• Kevin Reese: Yankees senior director, player development
