The Atlanta Braves will celebrate Hank Aaron Heritage Weekend presented by Delta Air Lines with a series of events that begin on Wednesday, August 16 and end on Saturday, August 19.
 
The activities begin with Braves and Delta Air Lines employees partnering on a community service project at the Andrew & Walter Young YMCA on August 16. The staff, along with JLL, Corporate Environments and A-R-T & Associates, will refurbish an activity room (painting, replacing blinds, furniture) and upgrade software in the computer room. Volunteers will also prepare meals for students, read to pre-K students and participate in activities with senior citizens.
 
Thursday, August 17, there will be a private event featuring Hank Aaron and noted artist Joseph Norman, who's Negro Leagues Baseball exhibit called America's Pastime, is featured at Clark Atlanta University's Museum of Art. Aaron and Norman will participate in a conversation moderated by Doug Shipman.
 
On Friday, August 18, the Hank Aaron Champion for Justice Award Ceremony presented by Delta Air Lines will take place at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and will be hosted by Mrs. Billye Aaron. The 2017 awards will be presented to four outstanding individuals who have made a lifelong commitment to overcoming industry obstacles and inspiring future generations. Award recipients include: America's 23rd, and first African American, Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, former Major League Baseball outfielder and the first African American manager to win a World Series, Clarence "Cito" Gaston, American journalist and syndicated columnist Roland Martin and civil rights activist Hank Thomas, one of the original Freedom Riders.
 
Following the award ceremony, a roundtable discussion with the recipients will take place, again moderated by Doug Shipman.  This event will be free and open to the public.  Those interested in attending can visit www.civilandhumanrights.org/event/hank-aaron-champion-justice-awards/.
 
Friday evening there will be a special pregame ceremony to honor the award recipients before the Braves vs. Reds game.  The first 20,000 fans through the gates will receive a replica of the new Hank Aaron statue on display in Monument Garden at SunTrust Park.
 
The weekend continues Saturday, August 19 with Hank Aaron Heritage Day at the Center for Civil and Human Rights presented by Delta Air Lines.  A special conversation that will begin at 11 a.m. will feature former Negro League players, Ernest Fann and Jake Sanders, along with Dr. Leyton Revel, founder of the Center for Negro League Baseball Research, Braves outfield Matt Kemp and former Braves player Brian Jordan. The conversation is free and open to the public.
 
Following the discussion, an autograph signing by the Negro Leagues players will take place in the Center. 
 
Saturday evening there will be a special pregame ceremony to honor Negro Leagues players. Following the game a concert featuring MC Hammer presented by Delta Air Lines.
 
For both the Friday and Saturday night games, the Braves will wear the 1974 throwback home uniforms in honor of Hank Aaron. Following the games, the uniforms will be up for auction at www.braves.com/charityauctions and the proceeds will benefit the Center for Civil & Human Rights and the Braves Foundation.