10.19 APS and the Atlanta Braves to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for School Renamed for Hank Aaron, Wednesday

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Office of Communications and Public Engagement
130 Trinity Avenue SW | Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Seth Coleman, Director
Media Relations & Broadcast Television
404-802-2891, office
404-406-5570, cell
seth.coleman@atlanta.k12.ga.us

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

October 19, 2021

 

Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta Braves to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for School Renamed for Hank Aaron, Wednesday

Forrest Hill Academy will be renamed for one of the greatest baseball players in history

ATLANTA – Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy, formerly named Forrest Hill Academy, and the Atlanta Braves will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the renaming of the school on Wednesday, October 20, at 10 a.m.

The renaming of the school, the district’s alternative high school, pays homage and tribute to legendary Atlanta Brave Henry “Hank” Aaron, the National Baseball Hall of Famer who broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. Aaron, who passed away in January, is honored throughout the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park with a statue in Monument Garden and a ‘44’ in the outfield. Following his passing, the Braves also founded the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, which furthers Aaron’s mission to increase access and opportunity in baseball.

The school had previously been named for Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general who was active in the KKK.

Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama and nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", Aaron played right field for 23 seasons in the Major Leagues (1954 - 1976), 21 seasons with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves in the National League and two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League.

 

Aaron hit his 715th home run on April 8, 1974, breaking Ruth’s record of 714 that had stood for nearly 40 years. Aaron still holds the Major League Baseball (MLB) career records for runs batted in, total bases and extra-base hits. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is one of only two players to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times for a total of 755 career home runs. Aaron was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982, the first year he was eligible.

 

During his time in MLB, and especially during his run for the home run record, Aaron and his family endured extensive racist threats. His experiences influenced him to become active in the civil rights movement.

 

Following his playing career, Aaron joined the Braves front office in 1976 as Vice-President and Director of Player Development. He most recently was a Senior Vice President, a role he held since December 1989. In 1988, Aaron was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1999, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top offensive players in each league. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002 and was named a 2010 Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society in recognition of accomplishments that reflect the ideals of Georgia's founders.

What:           Forrest Hill Academy will be renamed Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate this historic event.

When:          Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 10a.m. to 11 a.m.

Where:         Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy
2930 Forrest Hills Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30315

Who:            Those in attendance and/or available for interviews include:

  • Lisa Herring, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools
  • Jason F. Esteves, Board Chair, Atlanta Board of Education
  • Eshe P. Collins, Atlanta Board of Education, District 6
  • Zawadaski Robinson, Principal, Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy
  • Danielle Bedasse, Director, Community Affairs, Executive Director, Atlanta Braves Foundation
  • Billye Aaron, wife of Hank Aaron

Members of the media are invited to attend

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About Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 50,000 students across 87 schools and five programs. The District is organized into nine K-12 clusters with 64 traditional schools, 19 charter schools, six partner schools, two alternative schools and five alternative programs. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, follow us on social media – Twitter (@apsupdate), Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at www.atlantapublicschools.us.