Congress Taps Black Baseball Exec

Didier Morais, MLB.com. 

 NEW YORK - Jimmie Lee Solomon is adding on to his responsibilities. On Monday, the executive vice president of baseball development for Major League Baseball was named to the Congressional Award Foundation Board of Directors.

The foundation, a public-private partnership created by the U.S. Congress, is dedicated to promoting and highlighting achievement, initiative and service in America's youth.

"I am honored to represent Major League Baseball in my appointment to the Congressional Award Foundation Board of Directors," Solomon said in a statement. "Commissioner [Bud] Selig has placed a priority on providing opportunities to young people on the field, and I am proud to be in a position to help young people with baseball and education."

In June 2009, the foundation praised Solomon's work and honored him with a Horizon Award -- a prestigious honor that spotlights individuals who have contributed in their communities and properly set examples for the younger generation.

Solomon manages the MLB Urban Youth Academies in Compton, Calif., Houston and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the development of a new Academy in Hialeah, Fla. He also spearheads the annual Civil Rights Game, the XM All-Star Futures Game and Minor League Operations.

During his 19-year tenure with MLB, Solomon created the annual Urban Invitational tournament, which provides Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs with national exposure.