Andrews Kurth Announced as Principal Sponsor of the 2014 Civil Rights Game

(Houston, Texas)—Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Houston Astros announced that Andrews Kurth will be the Principal Sponsor of the 2014 Civil Rights Game and ancillary activities.

"Consistent with our positioning as a leader in the diversity and inclusion arena, particularly as it relates to law firms, I wanted our firm to visibly demonstrate our support for Major League Baseball’s leadership in Civil Rights,” said Bob Jewell, Managing Partner.

The Civil Rights Game and its ancillary activities are a series of events developed by MLB to pay tribute to those who fought on and off the field for equal rights for all Americans. This year’s event is another example of the Houston Astros supporting MLB initiatives geared toward highlighting diversity throughout baseball.

“At our firm, we promote our culture of diversity and inclusion" said Elizabeth Campbell, Partner and Chief Diversity Officer. "With Major League Baseball bringing the Civil Rights Game events to Houston, this is an incredible opportunity to promote our culture and to support Major League Baseball and its designated charities.”

The 2014 Civil Rights Game is the eighth installation of an annual event that began in Memphis in 2007, centering on an exhibition game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians. After another exhibition game in Memphis in 2008, the Civil Rights Game moved to Cincinnati (2009-2010), then Atlanta (2011-2012) as regular season contests, and last year was hosted in Chicago by the White Sox. While much of the South was deeply affected during the civil rights movement with violence threatening the well-being of many, Houston played a vital role in achieving peaceful desegregation, making it a crucial part of the overall civil rights effort.

“I have worked most of my adult life to obtain equality and civil rights for the students and residents of Houston," said Gene Locke, Partner and Co-Chair of the firm's Diversity Committee. "I am proud of my city and of the Houston Astros for hosting Major League Baseball’s Civil Rights Game this year.”

The 2014 Civil Rights Game will be played between the Houston Astros and the Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park on Friday, May 30th. Both teams will wear Negro League uniforms, the Astros will wear the uniforms of the “Houston Eagles,” which played for only two years (1949-1950) and was the only team from Texas in Negro Leagues history. The Orioles will wear the uniforms of the “Baltimore Elite Giants,” which played from 1938 through 1950.

Recently, the firm was named a local recipient of the 8th Annual Jackie Robinson Day “Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner” Award from MLB, acknowledging the firm’s ongoing commitment to excellence and diversity.

As released by the former Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP