Converge Media’s latest short film Reconciliation Tour premiered on Tuesday at T-Mobile Park’s Ellis Pavilion in a special event featuring Baseball Beyond Borders community members and supporters. The film documents a journey through the south taken by BBB’s 18u all-star team earlier this summer, with stops in Jackson, Mississippi and Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. You can read more about the trip here.

The trip and the film begin in Jackson, where the 18u all-stars led a clinic for the youth. They shared the joys of baseball with the community there and spread the love of the game to those who have played their whole lives as well as those brand new to the sport. In Montgomery, the team visited the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum as well as the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

It was a powerful event, bringing back memories from the tour and allowing the broader community to experience some of the powerful moments from the trip.

“Reconciliation and healing was evident throughout the event. We laughed, cried and connected with the stories of our community. These stories continue to drive our cause for increased access for African American youth to play baseball,” Bookie Gates, founder of Baseball Beyond Borders, said.

There were numerous faces from the Mariners present at the premiere. Alongside Mariners Hall of Famer and BBB board member Dan Wilson was Mariners President of Business Operations Katie Griggs, Mariners Majority Owner John Stanton and Former Mariner Brian Hunter. Wilson spoke about the connection he forged with the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation, which organized the camp in Jackson.

The film’s director Brady McAtee was also present at the event, excited for the opportunity to reconnect with the people he’d met on the trip.

“The premiere was incredible! Being able to show everyone the impact that BBB had on the kids in Jackson was very special,” McAtee said. “We worked hard this summer and it was worth every last bit of effort! I hope in having the opportunity to continue telling the story of Baseball Beyond Borders in all their future endeavors.”

A crowd of over 100 BBB community members including players and coaches, Jackson State University alumni, Converge Media supporters and more listened to speeches, a panel and watched the film over a meal of nachos, wings, capri salad and more. The youth panel specifically was a highlight of the night. Malachai Wayman, JT Wayne, DJ Parker, Jordan Hurd and Coach Joe Townsend spoke about their experiences from the trip and connected the dots between baseball and its impacts in community.

The night itself was full of connections. Six years ago, Gates and Converge Media CEO Omari Salisbury met and discussed how they could tell the stories of the community. Salisbury, armed with just his iPhone, set out to do just that. Now, more than half a decade later, Reconciliation Tour’s premiere brought over 100 people to the ballpark to watch the new film.

“Just over 6 years ago I used to work in this very stadium selling beer and peanuts trying to save money to get the dream of Converge Media off the ground. At that time we didn’t have an office, a computer or even a camera. Back then, basically working for tips, I didn’t know that I would be right here in this room but I knew that I would be right here out front uplifting stories of the Black experience from across the Pacific Northwest,” Salisbury said. “It is an honor to play a part of telling the story of the King’s journey from Seattle to the Heart of the South. I am thankful to our production team of Ike Everard, Brady McAtee, Winfield Ezell, Che’lon McLennan, and Vaughn Williams for producing such an excellent film.”

This unique and powerful screening created an impactful night for all.

“Our community witnessed the sites and sounds of our time in Jackson and Montgomery during the private screening. They connected with our youth and journeyed alongside as we strive for reconciliation and healing through baseball,” Gates said.

To learn more about Baseball Beyond Borders and support the organization, click here

Photos by Liv Lyons and ProofNThePlay