Film | The Other Boys of Summer (2018): Civil Rights and the Negro Leagues

This documentary debuts in New York City on the centennial of Jackie Robinson's birthday. The film explores civil rights in America through the lives of Negro League baseball players. Narrated by Cicely Tyson, it features never-before-seen interviews with some of the men (and women) who played alongside Jackie Robinson and changed baseball and America forever. Through the lens of America’s Pastime, The Other Boys of Summer connects a generation of trailblazers to issues monopolizing our headlines today.

Director Lauren Meyer joins Jim Robinson and Pedro Sierra, two players featured in the film, to discuss the documentary following the screening.

Lauren Meyer is an Emmy nominated director with a strong reputation for compelling storytelling. Her work has been seen on dozens of networks as well as Netflix, Amazon, and many digital platforms. She loves championing the underdog and crafting beautiful imagery to share stories. She began her career in Los Angeles and is currently based in NYC.

Born in Harlem on January 21, 1930, Jim Robinson used to walk to Yankee Stadium and The Polo Grounds to watch baseball with his father. At the Harlem Y, he developed a friendship with Roy Campanella who ultimately helped him get a baseball scholarship to North Carolina A&T State University. Robinson played for The Philadelphia Stars, Indianapolis Clowns, and KC Monarchs in the Negro Leagues. He also played in the minors for the St. Louis Cardinals organization. After baseball, Robinson worked for the NYC Housing Authority and earned a master's degree from Hunter College.

Born in Havana, Cuba in 1938, Pedro Sierra broke into the Negro Leagues as a teenager and played for the Indianapolis Clowns and The Detroit Stars during the 1950s. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent three years pitching for the U.S. Army baseball team. Following his time in service, he spent five years in the minors and was invited to tryout for the major league by Ted Williams and The Washington Senators. Sierra went on to play professionally in Canada and Mexico; after retiring from playing baseball, he coached college baseball.


Located in the Frederick P. Rose Auditorium, at 41 Cooper Square (on Third Avenue between 6th and 7th Streets)