Morgan Wallen Foundation and Cubs Charities Unite, Pledging $250K To Transform Chicago’s Bessemer Park Baseball Field
“This donation combined with being back on stage performing for my fans tonight at Wrigley is a true double header for me,” Wallen shared.
Keri Blackwell, Deputy Director, Cubs Charities; Morgan Wallen; Rosa Escareño, General Superintendent & CEO of Chicago Park District ; Photo by David Lehr
Morgan Wallen is in the Windy City for back-to-back nights at Chicago’s iconic Wrigley Field. Ahead of his second sold-out show at the venue, the superstar invited students from two local high schools to present a $100,000 check to support the revitalization of South Chicago’s Bessemer Park baseball field.
“Our mission with the Morgan Wallen Foundation is to support youth programs in the areas of sports and music. We are thrilled to donate $100k to Bessemer Park to give the kids a place to play ball here in South Chicago,” Wallen shared. “This donation combined with being back on stage performing for my fans tonight at Wrigley is a true double header for me.”
A Generous Donation
The country superstar’s contribution to the field, which is home field of Baker and Bowen High School students, comes after a $150k donation from the Cubs Charities. In total, Wallen and the Cub Charities, generously donated $250k to the park, which will be instrumental in giving the facility a total renovation.
The renovation will include a fully upgraded, state-of-the-art baseball diamond with a new backstop, side wings and dugouts, including extended side wings, and will include rehabilitating the playing surface for multiple levels of play, according to a press release.
“We are pleased that the Morgan Wallen Foundation is working with the Chicago Park District to enhance our Diamond Project commitment to Bessemer Park to completely renovate a baseball diamond,” said Keri Blackwell, Deputy Director of Cubs Charities. “The goal of our Diamond Project is to help improve the quality, safety and accessibility of playing fields across Chicago, and this donation will support a significant upgrade to the field for the benefit of South Chicago’s youth and families.”
“The Chicago Park District is extremely grateful to the Morgan Wallen Foundation for this generous donation to Bessemer Park,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “This gift will help upgrade the park’s ballfield and existing playing surfaces. These improved amenities will enhance recreational opportunities that families rely on to keep our children and teens engaged in positive activities and build the foundation for healthy living.”
A Community Staple
Established in 1905, Bessemer Park holds a significant place in the South Chicago community, having served as a vital resource hub in the neighborhood. Originally, the park welcomed waves of new immigrants to Chicago, offering them more than just a picturesque landscape to enjoy. It provided essential social services like meals, education, healthcare, and recreational activities, becoming a cherished sanctuary for those in need. Even today, Bessemer Park remains a thriving community space that offers an array of programs, including summer camps, boxing facilities, and, of course, baseball.
The park’s baseball fields have played a crucial role in fostering the talent of local students from nearby neighborhoods. These fields have provided them with free access to the sport, enabling them to develop their skills and passion for baseball. With the generous donation received, the park will soon boast a premier field, elevating the playing experience for these aspiring young athletes. This upgraded facility will enhance their practice sessions and provide them with an ideal space to showcase their abilities, further strengthening the park’s legacy as a nurturing ground for athletic talent.
About The Foundation
The Morgan Wallen Foundation was established in 2021 with a core belief “that every child deserves a chance to thrive, play, and create through sports and music.”
The foundation is “committed to helping communities in times of crisis. Whether it’s providing critical supplies in the wake of natural disasters or distributing groceries and meals to food insecure families, and more.” It was previously called the More Than My Hometown Foundation until it re-branded in 2022 to The Morgan Wallen Foundation.
Wallen’s donation comes as his One Night At A Time World Tour is once again underway, with 83,076 fans in attendance across both nights in Chicago making him the first Country artist to sell out two back-to-back nights at Wrigley Field.
For tour dates and more information, visit MorganWallen.com.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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