Benedict College baseball and softball programs are one of six Historically Black Colleges and Universities from across Braves Country to receive program support, fulfilling the initiative’s commitment of $1 million
ATLANTA (August 22, 2025) – The Atlanta Braves and Truist announced today the six Historically Black College and University (HBCU) recipients for the 2025 Homers for Hank Together with Truist initiative, fulfilling a $1 million commitment over the past five years. The six schools selected are located across four states in Braves Country – Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina – and will receive important program support ranging from necessary on-site storage space for equipment, to field improvements, access to technology, and more.
Projects for selected school programs are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The list of the 2025 Homers for Hank Together with Truist recipients and their respective program investments include:
- Alabama A&M in Huntsville, AL, whose baseball program will receive an HD camera system for analysis and streaming.
- Albany State University in Albany, GA, whose baseball and softball programs will collectively receive arena-style batting cages, field improvements, new uniforms, and various new equipment.
- Benedict College in Columbia, SC, whose baseball and softball programs will collectively receive field maintenance equipment, backstop padding, a storage building, field tarps, and a batting cage.
- Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, whose softball program will receive a pitching machine and equipment.
- Jackson State University in Jackson, MS, whose baseball program will receive a turf home plate halo and HitTrax Technology.
- South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, whose softball program will receive a pitching machine and equipment.
In 2021, Homers for Hank Together with Truist was established by the Atlanta Braves and Truist to invest in local HBCU baseball and softball programs across Braves Country. Supported by the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, the program provides crucial program support needed for the development of diverse scholar-athletes to pursue their dreams both on and off the field, continuing the legacy of Hank Aaron by creating quality baseball experiences across our region.
For each home run hit by the Atlanta Braves throughout the season, Truist donates $755 to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund to support this work, amounting to a $1 million minimum commitment across five years. Following the completion of these 2025 projects, the Homers for Hank Together with Truist initiative will proudly reach this $1 million commitment, having invested in the important work of furthering the development of the game across our local, diverse communities.
To date, the Homers for Hank Together with Truist initiative has gifted grants to various additional HBCU baseball and softball programs across Braves Country, including:
- Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA, whose baseball and softball programs collectively received state-of-the-art batting cages, a Hack Attack machine, equipment bags, field cover, warms up, and unforms, as well as baseballs and softballs.
- Savannah State University in Savannah, GA, whose baseball program received new uniforms and will receive a pitching machine, among additional equipment.
- Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, whose softball program will receive facility upgrades.
- Tougaloo College in Jackson, MS, whose baseball and softball programs collectively received new batting
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Kymm Hunter, Assistant Vice President
Kymm.Hunter@Benedict.edu|803.705.4519
Karely Avila Ledesma, Atlanta Braves, 404-614-1564 or
karely.avilaledesma@braves.com
Truist: media@truist.com
About Benedict College (www.benedict.edu)
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
About Atlanta Braves
Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves are the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Since 1991, Braves teams have earned two National League wild cards, 21 division championships, six National League pennants, and two World Series titles. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. Radio broadcasts can be heard in Atlanta on 680 The Fan (AM)/93.7 (FM) and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. Follow the Braves at braves.com, facebook.com/braves, and twitter.com/braves.
About Truist
Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist has leading market share in many of the high-growth markets in the U.S. and offers a wide range of products and services through wholesale and consumer businesses, including consumer and small business banking, commercial and corporate banking, investment banking and capital markets, wealth management, payments, and specialized lending businesses. Truist is a top-10 commercial bank with total assets of $544 billion as of June 30, 2025. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.