Be Part of the Centennial
The 2027 Centennial is an invitation to participate in an educational, athletic, historical, and cultural exchange between the United States and Japan.
Colleges, universities, students, athletes, faculty, historians, educators, artists, organizations, corporations, foundations, individual supporters, and public and private organizations can all have a role in helping bring this vision forward.
Join the upcoming University Participation Webinar to learn more about the Centennial vision and opportunities for participation.
The webinar will provide information about:
Universities and colleges interested in participating can contact JAFA USA to express their interest, identify their institution’s primary point of contact, indicate an area of interest, and submit questions.
Email: RoyalGiants2027@jafausa.org
Link: Scroll to University Participation & Webinar section below.
The Centennial is designed to bring together people and institutions with a shared interest in history, education, baseball, culture, and friendship between the United States and Japan.
Potential participants include:
Colleges and universities
Student-athletes
Faculty and educators
Academic departments
Historians and researchers
Museums and archives
Film and media programs
International programs
Student organizations
Marching bands and cheerleading teams
Artists and musicians
Baseball organizations
Community organizations
Families and descendants connected to the Royal Giants story
Corporate and foundation partners
Individual supporters
Public organizations
Private organizations
Colleges and universities are invited to explore participation in a historic educational, athletic, and cultural exchange to Japan.
This invitation is not a request for financial support from participating colleges or universities.
Instead, JAFA USA is inviting institutions to contribute their students, faculty, expertise, programs, and enthusiasm to a unique Centennial initiative.
JAFA USA is actively seeking support from corporations, foundations, individual donors, and public and private organizations to help make the Centennial accessible to participating institutions and students.
The goal is to minimize, and wherever possible eliminate, the financial burden associated with participation.
No qualified student should be unable to participate due to financial constraints.
Departments and programs such as:
can participate through research, educational programming, student involvement, and exchange.
Participating U.S. colleges and universities may nominate one or two outstanding student-athletes for consideration for the Centennial Collegiate All-Star Team.
The final roster will seek to represent a diverse cross-section of American higher education while honoring the history and legacy of the Negro Leagues.
The games will emphasize:
Universities can contribute to:
These contributions can help preserve the history of the Royal Giants and the communities connected to their journey.
Universities can explore:
Student organizations, bands, cheerleading teams, choirs, and cultural performance groups can participate in Centennial programming.
One participating college or university may be selected to send its marching band and cheerleading team to Japan as the Official Musical and Spirit Ambassador of the Centennial.
The selected delegation would participate in:
JAFA USA is leading fundraising efforts to help make broad participation in the Centennial possible.
The organization is seeking support from:
Support can help reduce financial barriers and create opportunities for students and participating institutions.
The Centennial is intended to be more than a single trip or event. It is an opportunity to create educational, cultural, athletic, and community relationships that can continue beyond 2027.
Organizations and supporters can contribute to the Centennial through financial support, expertise, introductions, partnerships, and appropriate in-kind assistance.
Potential areas of support include:
JAFA USA welcomes organizations and individuals interested in helping bring the Centennial vision to life.
Participating institutions will be acknowledged, as appropriate, in official Centennial publications, educational programming, and documentary credits.
Colleges and universities that become involved in the early planning and development of the Centennial will be designated as Charter Institutions in recognition of their role in shaping this historic educational, athletic, and cultural exchange.
The form and extent of recognition will reflect each institution’s participation and will be coordinated in consultation with participating institutions.
An introductory University Webinar is planned for interested colleges and universities.
Webinar timing and additional details will be announced as planning progresses.
JAFA USA will provide interested colleges and universities with information about:
Universities and colleges can contact JAFA USA in English or 日本語 to:
Follow the Centennial Journey
The 2027 Centennial is a journey from the history of 1927 toward a new generation of friendship, education, cultural exchange, and collaboration.
Follow JAFA USA as plans develop and new Centennial information becomes available.
Help build the next century of friendship across the Pacific.
San Francisco, California
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Website: jafausa.org
Centennial inquiries: RoyalGiants2027@jafausa.org