William Forrester, Jr.

Executive Director, Metropolitan Junior Baseball League

William Forrester, Jr. is a pioneering figure in the world of youth sports and community empowerment. In 1966, after being denied access to the all-white baseball leagues in Richmond, Virginia, his father, William Forrester, Sr., took a stand to create a space for Black children to play baseball. His father’s vision led to the founding of the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL), a league that sought to provide opportunities for all youth, regardless of race, to engage in sports.

As Executive Director of MJBL today, William Forrester, Jr. continues to uphold the values of inclusion and community empowerment his father instilled. Under his leadership, the league has expanded to 17 states and the Bahamas, with an annual league-wide championship tournament and an all-star game hosted at different locations each year. The Richmond-based league serves approximately 100 participants, the majority of whom are boys.

In 1988, MJBL expanded its mission by incorporating educational and cultural components, further solidifying its commitment to the personal growth of its participants. Over the years, the league sustained itself through proceeds from a bingo game and the sale of a building in South Richmond, but William Forrester, Jr. is now focused on securing the league's future through active fundraising efforts, ensuring that future generations have access to the opportunities that were once denied to him.

Through his efforts, Forrester continues to impact the lives of countless youth, keeping the MJBL’s legacy of inclusion, sportsmanship, and community spirit alive and thriving.

Forrester is also the author of The Black World Series, a book that delves into the history of Black baseball, honoring the legacy of African American athletes who shaped the sport despite facing racial barriers.