Earnest Horton, known as Coach E of Guru, is a revered figure in the inner city of Chicago. With over 13 years of coaching baseball in the Chicagoland area, Horton’s passion for the game extends to uplifting underserved youth. As the CEO of Black Baseball Media, Horton has a keen awareness of the lack of diversity in America’s pastime. He champions diversity and inclusion in baseball. Through tournaments, camps and innovative technologies, BBM amplifies emerging talent, and in the process, reshapes the narrative of Black participation in the sport. Rolling out recently spoke with Horton about his career, diversity and engaging Black youth in baseball.
What motivated you to establish Black Baseball Media?
We want to change the narrative of Blacks not playing baseball at a high level and provide resources to players, educate parents and uplift programs. There are hundreds of African Americans across the county playing baseball at a high level; it just was not made visible. It’s time to control our narrative.
As a CEO of Black Baseball Media, why are you passionate about the sport of baseball, particularly its impact on the Black community?
If you look at the time of the Negro Leagues, the Black community was on the rise. The Negro Leagues generated revenue for Black communities and created jobs and economic stability within communities. These historical roots make it evident that baseball is a game that African Americans can thrive in, on and off the diamond.
How crucial is it to engage Black youth in baseball, and what strategies do you employ to spark their interest in the sport?
Extremely crucial. One of our main strategies is to target the 4- to 6-year-olds. We host fun-filled youth camps for that age group to initiate the liking of baseball. This is the age where parents are trying some of everything for their children. We want to make sure the sport of baseball is in front of them. Once children take a liking to the game, we identify the best trainers in the area and get them trained the proper way. Having the proper fundamentals in baseball will create success on the field, which then boosts the kids’ morale … [and] leads to having fun. When kids have fun playing baseball they will continue to play the game in later years of his or her life.
Share any success stories or examples of how Black Baseball Media has helped amplify the voices and stories of Black players and communities in baseball.
Our Chicago High School Classic series has put a huge spotlight on Black players while bringing Chicago communities together. We call this event “The Super Bowl of High School Baseball.” This event puts our Black players on a platform that is the best in the country. Like I said earlier in the interview, seeing is believing, and this event is seen by thousands and thousands of people.
What significance does Jackie Robinson’s legacy hold 77 years after breaking the color barrier in MLB, and how does it inspire your work at Black Baseball Media?
The amount of bravery and courage that he had to display is incredible. The other side of the breaking of the color barrier meant the slow dismantling of the Negro Leagues, which left our communities crippled. It inspires me to push the envelope in both baseball programming for kids and the business side of baseball.
What aspirations or goals do you have for Black Baseball Media in continuing to advocate for diversity, inclusion and representation in the world of baseball?
We would like to create a Black Baseball Media … network in every major city in the country. This network will come together to service the three Ps: players, parents and programs. Providing resources for players, educating parents and uplifting programs.
Learn more about Black Baseball Media here.
