In collaboration with DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the Josh Gibson Foundation, the Washington Nationals hosted nearly 1,000 eighth-grade students for the conclusion of their Josh Gibson Cornerstone experience last week. The months-long curriculum focused on Negro Leagues legend Josh Gibson and the history of the Homestead Grays, who split their time between Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh during the 1930s and 1940s, producing several Hall of Famers, including Gibson.
The Josh Gibson Cornerstone is a part of DCPS’ Cornerstones curriculum; units of study that tie together academic lessons with real-world experiences. Beginning in March, DCPS eighth-grade students learned about the rich history of baseball in Washington, D.C., using primary sources from the Gibson Foundation, and examine connections between the Negro Leagues and topics of racial equality, labor, and civic identity.
“What I hope students gain is learning about history and the ability to make meaningful real-world connections,” said Raymond Hamilton, DCPS Director of Social Studies. “By analyzing primary source documents like Babe Ruth’s and Josh Gibson’s contracts, students can develop an understanding that these were real people connected to this city and baseball; demonstrating that there are other ways to be civically engaged around the city, whether in the classroom or at a baseball game.”
During the programming at Nationals Park, students had the opportunity to hear from Nationals front office executives; Sean Gibson, great-grandson of Josh Gibson and executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation; and Ashad Irby and Armani Medley, two Howard University baseball student-athletes. The program concluded with a Homestead Grays trivia challenge featured on the ballpark video board. Following the event, students stayed to watch the Nationals’ series finale against the Atlanta Braves.
Founded in 1994, the Josh Gibson Foundation honors the legacy of Josh Gibson through youth programming and by supporting the development of baseball fields and facilities in the Pittsburgh area, where the Homestead Grays were originally based before splitting time in Washington.
“This Cornerstone experience, culminating at Nationals Park, amplifies the mission of the Josh Gibson Foundation because we’re able to teach kids about the history of Josh Gibson, the rich history of the Homestead Grays – who were here in D.C. and in Pittsburgh – and some of the great African American players who played in the Negro Leagues,” said Gibson. “I think what the curriculum will teach these kids is that even though the Negro Leagues were way before their time, it’s also part of the history you learn about alongside figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks as part of the broader story of African American history.”
Hamilton emphasized the real‑world relevance of the experience. “In their eighth‑grade action civics class, students have been learning about the Negro Leagues and their connection to Washington, D.C. Today is a chance to bring that learning to life—by showcasing their knowledge, speaking with Sean Gibson, and seeing the legacy firsthand.”
Students also learned about the Nationals’ career development program, NatsPrep, which offers D.C. high school students opportunities to combine classroom learning with real-world experience through mentorship and resources for a career in sports. As eighth-grade students preparing to enter high school next year, the group was introduced to the upcoming opportunities that the Nationals provide to high school students, including the annual Career in Sports Day at Nationals Park, where students interact with front office professionals and attend small-group sessions focused on leadership skills, networking, and the power of mentorship. NatsPrep enrollees also take part in a capstone experience where they present real-world business solutions to Nationals executives.
For more information on the Washington Nationals' education initiatives, visit Nationals.com/Community.