The New York Yankees announced details regarding a celebration of New York’s Legacy of Pride, which will take place Monday, June 16, at Yankee Stadium, prior to the 7:05 p.m. Yankees-Angels game. The Yankees will also shine a spotlight on the 2025 recipients of the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative, which on a yearly basis awards $50,000 worth of scholarships through five $10,000 college grants to one graduating high school senior from each of the five boroughs of New York City.
First awarded in 2019 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Uprising, the annual scholarships celebrate student leaders who have demonstrated academic achievement, a commitment to equality and impactful support for the LGBTQ+ community. The awards are intended to provide resources to launch the honorees’ educational and career goals.
As part of the festivities, the recipients of the 2025 Yankees-Stonewall scholarships will be guests of the Yankees for the game that evening. They will also be recognized in a pregame ceremony along with representatives from the Yankees, The Stonewall Inn and New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE). The names of all attendees and the media credential application process is noted at the end of this release.
The nomination process is initiated by the New York City Department of Education, and the selection process is conducted by the NYC DOE with input from representatives from the Yankees, The Stonewall Inn and Athlete Ally.
In 2019, a permanent plaque was dedicated to commemorate the inclusive spirit of Yankee Stadium and the 50th Anniversary of the events at the Stonewall Inn that sparked the modern LGBTQ+ Movement (a plaque image may be found by clicking here).
The 2025 Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship recipients are:
- Kai Almonte Valera of the Bronx – he/him, English Language Learners & International Support Preparatory Academy, will attend Le Moyne College
- Zamuel Duran Yepes of Brooklyn – he/him, New Utrecht High School, will attend CUNY John Jay College
- Nico Weisberger of Manhattan – he/they, Humanities Preparatory Academy, will attend Swarthmore College
- Honoree representing Queens – Wishes to remain anonymous
- Lucianna Lombardi of Staten Island – she/her, Tottenville High School, will attend SUNY New Paltz
The students learned about the honor via Zoom on June 2, with congratulations provided by Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman; Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate/Community Relations Brian Smith; Stonewall Inn Owner & Co-founder of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative Kurt Kelly; Stonewall Inn Co-Owner & Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative CEO Stacy Lentz; Manager of LGBTQ Programs for the N.Y.C. Department of Education Kalima McKenzie-Simms; New York Yankees Foundation Director and Yankees Ambassador of Community Affairs Haley Steinbrenner Swindal; and Yankees Vice President of Human Resources, Employment & Labor Law Aryn Sobo.
Please find downloadable highlights of their Zoom conversation by clicking here. This video will be posted on @yankees social accounts.
“I was deeply inspired by each of this year’s Yankees-Stonewall scholarship recipients, and we are proud to recognize their accomplishments,” said Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman. “These scholarships are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated that they are on the path to making our world a more tolerant and compassionate place. Knowing what all our scholars have done to this point in their lives, I can’t wait to see the impact they have on the future. The LGBTQ+ community should know that Yankee Stadium will always be a place where they can feel safe and encouraged to be who they are.”
"I’m proud to build on our longstanding collaboration with the New York Yankees and The Stonewall Inn to uplift and support our incredible LGBTQIA+ students," said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. "This inspiring initiative opens doors for graduating seniors, giving them the tools and confidence to step into leadership and drive change. I can’t wait to see how these scholars rise to meet every challenge with strength and resilience as they shape a better future for us all."
“We are thrilled to once again partner with the New York Yankees in identifying the next leaders in the LGBTQ+ community,” said Stacy Lentz, Stonewall Inn Co-Owner & Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative CEO. “I can’t say enough about the maturity, kindness and ambition of the young people we are honoring this year. They have incredible things ahead of them, and it’s an honor for us to assist them in moving forward along their respective paths.”
“The Yankees’ continued commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and their public display of support are deeply meaningful,” said Kurt Kelly, Stonewall Inn Owner & Co-founder of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. “These scholarships facilitate access to education for LGBTQ+ students, which makes our community stronger.”
Joining the Yankees-Stonewall scholars in Monday’s on-field ceremonies will be:
- From the Yankees: Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman, Senior Vice President of Corporate/Community Relations Brian Smith, New York Yankees Foundation Director and Yankees Ambassador of Community Affairs Haley Steinbrenner Swindal, and Vice President of Human Resources, Employment & Labor Law Aryn Sobo.
- From the New York City Department of Education: NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, Manager of LGBTQ Programs Kalima McKenzie-Simms (she/her); LGBTQ Community Coordinator Jude Schoenfeld (they/them).
- From The Stonewall Inn: Stonewall Inn Owner & Co-founder of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative Kurt Kelly; and Stonewall Inn Co-Owner & Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative CEO Stacy Lentz.
