755 Legacy Club

755 Legacy Club

We invite you to join the 755 Legacy Club, an exclusive group of supporters who are passionate about investing in the legacy of Henry “Hank” Aaron. With an annual donation of $755 or more to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund you will become a part of the club, receiving exclusive membership benefits.

Benefits of Membership:

  • 755 Legacy Club lapel pin
  • 755 Legacy Club hat
  • Newsletter with Henry Louis Aaron Fund progress and updates
  • A commemorative hand painted Hank Aaron inspired baseball bat (reserved for the first 44 donors that give $4,400 or more)

The 755 Legacy Club launched on February 3, 2022 in celebration of Henry Aaron’s birthday. In honor of his jersey number, the first 44 contributors, donating $4,400 or more during this time frame will also receive a commemorative hand painted baseball bat designed by a variety of local Black artists.

Join today to become one of the first 755 members!

Mr. Aaron’s legacy will continue to live on, extending far beyond the baseball field and record books. His “keep swinging” mentality allowed him to persevere through some of the roughest moments of his career as he broke racial barriers. Because of his bravery and relentless drive, he paved the way for so many other young Black baseball players following in his footsteps. He’s greatly admired as the homerun king but also for his humanitarian and philanthropic endeavors. His investments and vision for a better world, with equal opportunities will continue through this fund and we hope that you will support!

Your donation to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund allows us to pour into four key areas Mr. Aaron was passionate about: Pathways in Baseball, Education, Business and Entrepreneurship and Social Justice. Your contribution will aid in our efforts to provide resources and scholarships for HBCU students, create pathways for young minority baseball and softball players, invest in the success of entrepreneurs and inspire social change.

Commemorative Hand Painted Baseball Bats

When you hear the name “Hank Aaron” your mind automatically goes to “baseball.” But Hank was more than just that. He was a trailblazer, a leader, a relentless dream chaser, who mastered the art of life…on and off the ball field. Through all the years that he played ball, even before he was in the spotlight, Hank stood out because of his undeniable talent and work ethic. He shined brighter than anyone in his day, and that is what I wanted to capture with these baseball bats. I wanted to create something that stood out just as much, that shined bright and highlighted Hank’s love for the game, love for his team, his attention to detail, and mastery of his craft.

When you first look at the bats, the first thing that catches your eye is the energetic, neon background that flows through the entire background of each bat. This is a representation of the energy, the love, the passion, and the drive that Hank Aaron embodied as a person. A bright, neon Atlanta Braves “A” is featured at the knob of the bat. As you move to handle, the infamous nickname “HAMMERIN’ HANK AARON” is carefully painted, reminding us of the power that Hank possessed every time he was at bat. Moving toward the barrel, there is a bright, neon “Braves” logo on two of the bats, and the Braves “Tomahawk” logo painted on the other two. From there, as you move toward the end cap of the bat, you will find a unique portrait of Hammerin’ Hank, surrounded by a few of his career stats. Each portrait is painstakingly hand-painted to represent the life and career of Hank, reminding us all that the small details are what make up the big picture. This rang true with each individual home run that he hit, the RBIs, the runs, the individual seasons played, every stat…each led to the next, which ultimately make up the big picture of who Hank is…a GOAT!

About the Artist

John L. Hill is a Portrait Artist, best known for his acrylic paintings on large cotton canvases. Self-taught, Hill began creating art early on in elementary school at 9 years old, taking after his father who was also an artist. At 10, he found a love in creating portraits and carried that love to this day. His most recent work is an accumulation of styles that he has practiced and mastered over the years. Each creation is spontaneously pieced together through the blending and layering of a wide range of color to create large, iconic portraits that are hyper-realistic but also possess abstract characteristics. Celebrity owners of his work include Lebron James, Dr. Dre, Steve Harvey, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Kemba Walker, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Newton, The Game, Mike Tyson, Future, Phil Heath, and many more. Hill strives to connect with viewers of his work by creating an overall feeling of love, optimism, and positive energy, hoping to be a motivating force that drives viewers to be the best possible version of themselves.

Learn more about John L. Hill at jlhillart.com.

I feel it a tremendous honor to be asked to use my talent to commemorate and revere this amazingly talented icon. Henry Aaron was focused. He mastered his talent by honing his skills. He pursued his dreams, persevered in spite of frequent acts of hate and selflessly paved the way for others to pursue their dreams on and off the sports field. He was disciplined, wise and always kept his eye on the bigger picture. I entered this project with an ignorant respect for him because I truly didn’t know much about him. I’m leaving it with more knowledge and a deeper admiration for him. I have a better idea of his life’s purpose outside and inside of his fame and a stronger perspective on the purpose in my own talent. Again, this project has been one of my greatest honors to participate in. I pray my artwork is a proper representation of Mr. Aaron… who he was and what his legacy leaves us today and for all the generations to come.

About the Artist

Iiadonnasanova Owens-Williamson is an artist, educator, author, a maker, and a dreamer. Her proudest accomplishments include her two amazing children, her beautiful grandchild, numerous art awards and exhibitions, a televised appearance on HGTV's "That's Clever/#323/ 2007), six copyrights, one trademark, artwork in Lilly Oncology's Traveling Exhibition (2010), inclusion in the American Cancer Society’s “Hope" calendar (2011) and has numerous murals sprinkling the walls of educational facilities and homes throughout the state of Georgia.

Mrs. Owens-Williamson has illustrated 6 books for published quilters Jodie and Jane Davis. Her art dolls were included in "The Art of the Contemporary Doll" by Sandra Korinchak (2015). She has also self-published an inspirational coloring book titled, "I AM"(2017) and an anti-racist/pro-acceptance children's book titled, "me, ME..you, YOU (2020).

In her 15 years as an art educator, she's had the privilege of teaching thousands of students. She has also been honored as "Teacher of the Year" in two local schools (2008/2009)/(2017/2017) and ultimately "Teacher of the District" in 2017. Her students have earned numerous awards in local exhibition/competitions under her tutelage.

She believes art is everything, it's everywhere and we are the result of the artistic skill of the greatest artist there is. We are all placed here to create but to do that in a way that has been especially designated for each of us as individuals. For her, she creates and teaches creativity in visual arts.

Learn more about Iiadonnasanova Owens-Williamson at iiaowens.com.

Black boys deserve to see their dreams come to fruition with love and grace. Hank Aaron is a continuous reminder that we honor our passions, we can handle everything else with the discernment it deserves.

About the Artist

Chiomma Hall (she/her/hers) is a gouache illustrator based in Atlanta, GA. After graduating with a B.A. in Art History from Auburn University, she moved to Atlanta to continue her education and fulfill her creative dreams.

Through the exploration of color and movement, she draws from the intersections of her identity to partake in dialogue of community and connection as a black queer femme. Her expressive figures vary in color and composition to display Black individuals who exist without shame or fear. It is through her work that she hopes to spark healing conversations for a community she holds so dearly.

Learn more about Chiomma Hall at chiommani.com.

Medium: Acrylic on Wooden Baseball Bat

"This was my second project in which I had the opportunity to depict the legacy of Hank Aaron in art. I find his perseverance and consistency with excellence profoundly inspirational. That is what I focused on throughout the creative process."

About the Artist

Dwayne “Dubelyoo” Wright is an Atlanta-based illustrator, professor, and curator. Early in his career, he made a name for himself as an illustrator for hip hop magazines and as a designer for streetwear brands.

For well over a decade, Dubelyoo has been curating the traveling art exhibition called Art, Beats + Lyrics. These urban art and music showcases provide an accessible experience for seasoned collectors, first-time art buyers, music lovers, and today’s social media selfie-taker. What was once a one-night-only show, promoting Atlanta art and music, is now a national tour with over 100 art exhibitions and counting.

Each year Dubelyoo features up to 50 artists and develops art installations for the tour. These installations are designed to expand the artist’s creativity beyond the canvas into an immersive environment. Dubelyoo’s goal for AB+L is not only to provide an exciting environment to view art, but to exhibit works in which people of color can see themselves.

As a visual artist, his depiction of urban life and culture continues to be sought after by brands like Sony, Champs, Microsoft, professional sports teams, Jack Daniels, and more. Dubelyoo can also be found speaking at workshops and panels on the topics of art and entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Dwayne “Dubelyoo” Wright at https://dubelyoo.net/.

I am honored to be a part of this project because I understand that art is a universal language that transcends race, creed, sex, orientation, and color. As a Black, female creative, it is an honor to have opportunities to remember pioneers in a special way. Hank Aaron not only paved new roads in sports, but he made all eyes look at racial relations globally. I believe art has the same universal power. When I pick up a brush, I am determined to leave an undeniable mark on anyone who experiences my creations. I hold this project dear because I know that this type of work will live on for generations.

About the Artist

Melissa A. Mitchell is a powerhouse and a prominent Bahamian artist closing critical gaps in art, technology, and fashion worldwide. In just eight short years, the self-taught artist has earned international recognition and the attention of many high-powered and leading brands. This Miami, Florida native utilizes her ideas and creations to heal people through the happiness that only creating can bring. A global deal with Foot Locker, winning a Ford Explorer from a global contest/campaign, a global deal with SPANX, an official TED TALK speaker, an inaugural member of Hennessey’s “Never Stop Never Settle Society, an Afropunk/ Shopify Black Fashion Accelerator member, and features in Forbes and Vogue (design worn by Lupita Nyong’o) only scratch the surface of her accomplishments. Her company, Abeille Creations (ABL), is unique and easy to identify, and Melissa’s impact is undeniable. She is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, holding a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in graphic design. She also earned a master’s degree in public management from the elite institution. She cultivates her philanthropic reach through the college and as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

She has created over 500 original art pieces and 40 larger-than-life murals. Other notable features and partnerships include ESSENCE Magazine, Black Enterprise, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Huffington Post, Peloton, Cadillac, Microsoft, Pepsi, CNN, The Home Depot, MARTA, Jack Daniels, and countless others. Her signature headwraps are textiles that still hold beautiful life and have been worn on Tabitha Brown, Amara La Negra, Yandy Smith, Karen Civil, Rebecca Gross, and more. She is also the author of a coffee table book, Views from My Kaleidoscope and an interactive coloring book, Color &Manifest.

The mind of Melissa is sharp and sure to continue to magnify the excellence placed in her to be a household and international name. The heart of Melissa is one of the best, and she pours it so graciously into her work and people, producing a needed change in this world.

Learn more about Melissa A. Mitchell at melissaamitchell.com.

About the Artist

FRKO, AKA Freako Rico, (born Richard Montgomery), is an Atlanta-based illustrator mixes comics and hip-hop to create hysterical, often belligerent art. FRKO has drawn multiple albums covers for Action Bronson, including the graphic identity for the album Mr. Wonderful, and the artwork for Gucci Mane’s “All My Children.” Recent projects include a group exhibition at THE GALLERY, WISH ATL, titled TRPL-DBL; a collaboration with the creative collective LoveRenaissance to design the iconic Reebok Classics, and drawing a Red Bull can for the Music Culture Clash, Atlanta.

Learn more about FRKO at frkopestcontrol.com.

About the Artist

Shaheed Rucker works and resides in Atlanta, GA. Rucker has a B.S. in Psychology, which influenced his career in consumer behavior. Over the past 15 years, Rucker has contributed creatively to reputable brands like Tesla Motors, Reebok, and Viacom. Rucker’s work is centered on visual communication with a focus in photography, conceptual art, and graphic design, using techniques in color theory, typography, and page layout, to create visual compositions.

Learn more about Shaheed Rucker at shaheedrucker.com.

SLAPPIN- This bat was designed with simplicity and the thought of the numbers speaking for itself. The exploded ball on the barrel of the bat is just what he did… Slap the leather off!

44 the Legend- One of my favorite images captured of Hank reimagined in a perspective portrait which uses the bat itself in the painting.

Sweet Swing- a more live action look into his follow through. It wasn’t flashy or overly animated just pure and powerful. 755 speaks to the yard shots.

Hammerin’- this black and white depiction reminded me of the baseball cards I collected as a kid. Tried to reenact it with a pop of color with his natural wood colored bat.

For me this project was a fun way to pay my respects to the legend and to continue to keep his name in the community that he helped long after he retired from the game. It’s an honor and a pleasure.

About the Artist

Born in the nation’s capital but bred in Decatur (where its greater) since his high school years, Thornton T. Brown IV is a mixed media artist with a knack for nuance. Never formally trained but always in tune with the gift, being encapsulated by Atlanta’s art scene for over 15 years gave Thornton the opportunity to explore his talents and develop his own unique style. Inspired by the likes of Miya Bailey, Paper Frank, Dr. Dax, and other fellow artists (whose works are a part of his extensive personal collection) Thornton uses the fine artistry of Film and the scenic nature of Hip-Hop culture to create vivid paintings that connect you to special moments in time. A committed participant in the “Art-that-creates-art” mindset, Thornton’s priorities are to inspire others and in a feeling that only art can provide.

After receiving acrylic markers and canvas as a birthday gift, he transitioned from pen and paper to the medium, where he’s found extreme success. Thornton continues to hone his craft between family life and full-time employment with Delta Air Lines as an Aviation Maintenance Tech.

Learn more about Thornton T. Brown IV at ivtheart.com.

About the Artist

Tracy Murrell is an Atlanta-based visual artist and curator. She has exhibited in numerous exhibitions and her work has been featured in Create! Magazine, ArtVoices, Studio Visit, New American Paintings, and Atlanta Home magazine. Murrell has been awarded residencies at The Hambidge Center, Atlanta Printmakers Studio, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Atlanta Central Library, and Green Olive Arts in Tetouan, Morocco.

In 2020, Georgia Tech University unveiled two paintings by Murrell commissioned by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for the Dorothy M. Crosland Tower library. In 2021, Microsoft acquired six (6) works from the Sumaya series for its new office in Atlantic Yards, Atlanta, GA; and FrameBridge selected two (2) works from the Torchy series for The Black Artists Print Shop. Recently she was awarded a Brown University's Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America (CSREA) Practitioner Fellowship for Spring 2022.

Currently, she is working on her museum solo exhibition, "Dans l'espoir d'un Avenir Meilleur (In Hope for a Better Future) ... Exploring Haitian Migration" opening in the Fall of 2022 at Hammonds House Museum with the support of the National Performance Network.

Learn more about Tracy Murrell at tracymurrell.com.

About the Artist

My name is Jasmine Strickland. I am an Atlanta native with interests in painting and illustration. I have focused on character development and visual storytelling since my early childhood years and opted to pursue a creative career as an adult. I attended Savannah College of Art and design with a focus on illustration. Upon graduation I immediately began working as a freelance artist on children's books, portrait illustrations, or anything else that would allow me to express myself creatively. In 2017 I founded a nationally recognized Sip and Paint brand and had much success until the beginning of 2020 when events were halted, and I shifted back into being a full-time illustrator and artist. Currently, I live and work as a full-time artist in Atlanta with my two dogs. Spending weekends sketching and painting on the beltline or gaining some inspiration from the High Museum. Lately, my subject matter has been inclusive of men of African descent, but I look forward to exploring and developing more as an artist and visual storyteller as the years progress.

About the Artist

Fabian Williams received a BFA from East Carolina University in Illustration. After working for 13 years in the advertising industry with a long list of clients from Nike, Warner Bros to HBO, he decided to move to a purely expressive practice outside of the commercial space where he had the freedom to express more political and socially relevant contemporary themes.

In 2009, He created the World Wide Art Federation, a performance art battle series. The WWAF mixes the swag of Ric Flair with the skill of Bob Ross. Artist must dress up in character and talk trash then paint against each other in a competitive art competition. The winner like in wrestling receives a belt

His exhibition series, Contraption featured, paintings, film, and sculpture at Notch 8 Gallery in April 2016. As an extension of The Contraption, he created The Merica Show, a kid show for adults, complete with puppets and animation. The pilot premiered in November 2015.

Learn more about Fabian Williams at occasionalsuperstar.com.

About the Artist

For the artist Ernest Hood, the gifts of artistic creativity were passed down through DNA. Born in Gary, IN, raised in Denver, CO, Ernest’s parents found it important to expose him to art and entrepreneurship. They supported and nurtured his natural talent. As an adult Ernest continued to develop his God given abilities, by embarking on the adventure of independent studies to teach himself fine art. As a now veteran artist E.Hood has managed to have his work seen, revered and collected by buyers in New York, New Orleans, Denver, Senegal as well as the beloved ATL which has been home to the artist for the past 21years.

E.Hood's signature style is called urban contemporary which incorporates 4 different art genres. Abstract, figurative, narrative & expressionism are used in all his art. Ernest also takes a non-conventional approach to creating his work such as repurposing raw materials and mixing mediums in a unique way.

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