MLB's Diversity Fellowship Program seeks to "increase the ranks of women and minorities amongst the game’s decision-makers" while also breaking down what have "typically been systemic barriers to inclusion," according to Marc Carig of THE ATHLETIC. Nineteen of the 22 recent graduates and young professionals who made up the Diversity Fellowship Program's inaugural class "remain in the industry," and a new class is "expected to be announced in mid-April to coincide with Jackie Robinson Day." Dwindling participation amongst African Americans has "become a vexing issue" for MLB, as black players accounted for only 7.7% of Opening Day rosters last year, and those numbers are "even lower within baseball’s front offices." Those issues only have "grown more pronounced as teams increasingly move toward those with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and math." MLB Senior Dir of the Front Office & Field Staff Diversity Pipeline Program Tyrone Brooks heads up the DFP, which is one of the Pipeline Program's initiatives. Brooks, who previously was the Pirates Dir of Player Personnel, also "created the Baseball Industry Network, designed as a resource for those already within the game." Many entry points into baseball "involve internships, many at far-flung affiliates, often at a minimal wage." By contrast, Brooks said that one of the "key features of the fellowship is to be 'fully embedded in a Major League city.'" The fellowship’s next cycle will begin in June, with three more teams "committed to participate, bringing the total to 21 of 30" MLB clubs (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/19).
