Black History Fact

In 1949, Helen Jackson Claytor was the first black woman to be elected board president of the Grand Rapids YWCA. Three board members resigned in protest, reflecting the race relations Helen was dedicated to change.

In 1935, Rasberry moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan to play with Elster’s Colored Athletics, a local semi-professional baseball team, and by 1946, Rasberry purchased his first team, the Grand Rapids Black Sox.