Atlanta Braves and Truist Announce 2025 HBCU Recipients of Homers for Hank Initiative

The Atlanta Braves and Truist have announced the six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) selected to receive funding in 2025 through the Homers for Hank together with Truist initiative, fulfilling a $1 million commitment made over the past five years.

The initiative, launched in 2021 and supported by the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, invests in HBCU baseball and softball programs across Braves Country, strengthening facilities, providing equipment, and creating opportunities for diverse scholar-athletes.

The six HBCUs named as 2025 recipients are:

• Alabama A&M University – HD camera system for game analysis and live streaming.
• Albany State University – Upgrades to baseball and softball programs, including new batting cages and field enhancements.
• Benedict College – Field maintenance equipment and a new batting cage.
• Claflin University – Pitching machine and additional softball equipment.
• Jackson State University – Turf home plate halo and HitTrax technology for player development.
• South Carolina State University – Pitching machine and upgraded softball equipment.

These program-specific investments reflect the initiative’s mission to meet each institution’s unique needs while advancing opportunities for HBCU athletes.

Funding for the program is tied to Braves performance on the field. For every home run hit by the team, Truist donates $755—a tribute to Hank Aaron’s 755 career home runs—to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, contributing to the five-year, $1 million milestone.

Over the years, Homers for Hank has supported HBCUs across the Southeast, with past recipients including Clark Atlanta University, Savannah State University, Tennessee State University, Tougaloo College, and Tuskegee University. Investments have ranged from new technology to upgraded playing fields, helping ensure student-athletes have the tools to succeed.

“The Homers for Hank initiative carries forward the legacy of Hank Aaron, not only honoring his historic contributions to baseball but also opening doors for the next generation of players,” Braves and Truist representatives said in a joint statement.