The Seattle Mariners are celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the Northwest community on Sunday, August 19, during a pregame ceremony before the Mariners take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (1:10pm start).
A special online-only ticket offer is available at Mariners.com/AfricanAmerican. Each ticket purchased through the offer comes with a special Mariners cap that features the number 42, in tribute to Jackie Robinson, who "broke baseball's color barrier" 71 years ago. A portion of each ticket sold through this special online-only offer will benefit New Beginnings Christian Fellowship.
During a pregame ceremony, these notable African Americans will be honored:
Reverend Doctor Leslie D. Braxton, Senior Pastor New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, Kent. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Puget Sound, Master of Divinity from the Colgate Rochester Divinity School and Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary, Reverend Braxton served at First Shiloh Baptist Church of Buffalo, New York (1987-1999), before returning home to the Puget Sound area to Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle (1999-2005) . In 2005, he became pastor at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship (2005-present). Dr. Braxton is an avid promoter of social justice, educational excellence, physical and emotional health and well-being and community involvement.
Juanita Grant, Seattle Mariners and longtime loaned executive to United Way of King County. Juanita came to Seattle in 1962 with her husband Willie when he was hired to work at The Boeing Company. As she raised her family, Juanita became active in the community and was involved with numerous causes around social justice. She served on the Washington State Displaced Homemakers Advisory Committee; King County Civil Rights Commission; Washington State Civil Rights Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission; Western Regional Chair of Soroptimist International n, Human Rights and Status of Women; Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging and Disability Services; and South King County United Way. In 1999, Juanita joined her husband Willie, who had retired after a long career at Boeing, as members of the Mariners Safeco Field Game Day staff. Over the years, she has fulfilled many roles within the organization and served for over 10 years as a Mariners loaned executive to United Way of King County.
Racquel Russell, Vice President of Government Relations/Social Impact/Community Engagement, Zillow Group. Racquel graduated with honors from University of Miami (FL) and received a Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School. Her professional career has included policy expertise to the National Governors Association, Legislative Counsel to U.S. Senator Tom Carper (Delaware), Deputy Assistant to President Barack Obama, and Senior Vice President at GMMB's Seattle office, where she provided strategic counsel to nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. As Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs for the Zillow Group, Russell was chief architect of the organization's first-ever social impact program, The Home Project, and leads all efforts around civic and community engagement, social impact programming and government relations.
Karen A. Wilkins-Mickey, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Alaska Airlines. Before joining the Alaska Air Group, Wilkins-Mickey worked in various industries including Finance and Technology. As Alaska Airlines first Director of Diversity & Inclusion, she takes pride in helping people find their passion and mentors them to reach their full potential. Wilkins-Mickey earned a B.A. in Communications from California State University, Chico. She lives in Bothell with her husband and two children.
Michael Morgan, Co-founder and Managing Partner WM Legacy Investments, former Seattle Seahawks linebacker. Morgan received a B.S. in Policy Planning and Development at the University of Southern California where he also played football. Morgan signed with the Seahawks in 2011. During a seven-year NFL career, he helped the Seahawks win their first Super Bowl championship (2013). After retiring from football, Morgan co-founded WM Legacy Investments, a real estate company that specializes in multi-family properties and development. Morgan is committed to helping youth attain their greatness and volunteers with eMODE, a math enrichment program, as well as Rainier Athletes, where he serves as a mentor.