Atlanta Braves Honor Hank Aaron’s Legacy with Formation of $2 Million Diversity Fund

The Atlanta Braves announced the formation of The Henry Louis Aaron Fund to help grow diversity in baseball during Wednesday's memorial service for the late, great Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron.

The fund, which will reportedly live inside the Atlanta Braves Foundation, was seeded with $1 million from the Atlanta Braves. Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association also pledged a combined $1 million.

According to a news release, the goal of the fund will be to provide resources to drive equity by creating access and opportunities in the areas of sports, business, education, and social and racial equality.

"We want to continue Hank's amazing work in growing diversity within baseball now and in the years to come," explained Terry McGuirk, Atlanta Braves Chairman. "I believe this seed money is just the beginning for this growing fund and I'm certain other companies and organizations who have worked with Hank over the years will join us and add to this call to action to develop talent and increase the diversity on the field and in the front offices across the league."

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Aaron, the record-breaking baseball legend who played 21 seasons for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, died last week. He was 86.

"Henry Aaron was a Hall of Fame player, a front office executive, a mentor, a colleague and a friend. In each of these roles, he was a tireless advocate for better representation of people of color throughout our sport. As a philanthropist and businessman, this celebrated power hitter was most passionate about empowering others," MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said in a statement. "We are proud to honor his legacy through this joint donation to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, and commit ourselves to continue building toward greater diversity and representation in the game Hank loved dearly."