New York Yankees Diversity and Inclusion Committee
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.
Five major pillars of focus will shape the committee’s efforts:
- Diversity and Inclusion within the Yankees Organization
- Education
- Socioeconomic Development
- Social Responsibility
- Health and Wellness
The Committee is comprised of a dedicated and diverse network of New York Yankees staff members, on-field personnel, alumni, and outside community leaders and business partners. The group began virtual meetings in September, and the advancement of proposals and projects has continued with regularly scheduled meetings and informal dialogue. The shared goal has been to identify ways to combine resources and utilize the panel’s various prominent public platforms to address and eradicate barriers that impede access, diversity, inclusion and opportunity for our neighbors around Yankee Stadium and in the larger metropolitan community.
Initiatives
Yankees-CUNY (City University of New York) Partnership Program
The Yankees-CUNY (City University of New York) Partnership Program identifies and exposes CUNY students and alumni to career paths, employment, and business opportunities throughout the New York Yankees organization and immerses select students into the New York Yankees Sport Management Mentoring Program.
Yankee Stadium Vaccination Center
The Yankee Stadium Vaccination Center began operation on February 5 and was established through a partnership between New York State, New York City, the New York Yankees, SOMOS Community Care and the New York National Guard. Approximately 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to date at the site. Appointments and registration are not necessary for initial doses (non-boosters). People can visit yankees.com/vaccinate for more details and hours of operation.
Monthly Food Pop-Up
Monthly “Pop-Up” Food Distribution with the Food Bank For New York City addresses heightened local food insecurities, providing 500 families per month with access to shelf stable food items and fresh produce.
Fueling Our Future
Fueling Our Future targets underserved communities with a focus on the Bronx, providing local young people with health and wellness skills for exceling in the classroom, on the field and in their daily lives. The program, which works in conjunction with DREAM (formerly Harlem RBI) and Nike, serves its students through five weekly virtual seminars with Yankees employees who are experts in their respective fields of mental health, physical fitness and nutrition.
Blue Chips
Bronx Community Clean-Up Series
NYPD Recruitment Tutoring Sessions
Bronx DA/NYPD Gun Buyback Program
Business to Community Initiative
Small Business Emergency Grant Program
Bronx Chamber of Commerce Partnership to Provide Pro Bono Legal Aid
Committee Members
Community members on the committee include:
- Jose Calderon - Former President, Hispanic Federation
- Ana Garcia - Director, Government & Community Affairs, NewYork-Presbyterian
- Spike Lee - Forty Acres & A Mule Filmworks
- Daniel Quintero - Executive Director, 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