Black Players for Change earn MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year award

Instead of giving the 2020 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year award to a singular player, Major League Soccer announced today that Black Players for Change — an organization formed on Juneteenth of this year focused on racial equality — has earned the honor and a $5,000 dollar donation. It is the first time the award has been given to an organization as opposed to any one person.

Black Players for Change consists of more than 170 players, coaches, and MLS staff and is focused on bringing attention to the social justice issues such as systemic racism. In their brief existence the group has already done several projects, including plans to build 12 mini-pitches over the course of a year in a partnership with Musco Lighting, adidas and the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse is a prominent member and vocal leader of the group, serving as an executive board member. Several other players who saw the field for th Timbers this year are members as well, including Eryk Williamson, Larrys Mabiala and Chris Duvall.

You can read the press release here.