Trailblazer recipient State Sen. Lydia Edwards is pictured with Laura Dickerson, Reverend Thomas Kennedy, and Nora Baston.

Red Sox pitcher and Louis Tiant Courage Award winner, Liam Hendricks, addresses the crowd.

The Boston Area Church League commemorated its 23rd anniversary on Friday, Sept. 26, with a celebratory event at the Boston Back Bay Hilton Hotel. A gathering of distinguished community, business and religious leaders came together to honor more than two decades of mentorship, youth development and neighborhood engagement.

Founded in 2002, the Boston Area Church League was the vision of a group of civic-minded individuals including Frank Jordan, Dr. Charles Steinberg, Bert James, Bishop Samuel Hogan, Bernardine Nash, Larry Lucchino, John Henry and Tom Werner. Since its inception, the organization has worked with over 12,000 families across Boston and the surrounding area.

Using the game of baseball as a vehicle for personal growth, the Church League’s mission is to teach children ages 6 to 12 valuable life skills such as communication, teamwork, respect and citizenship. The program emphasizes educational excellence, community pride, self-respect and constructive peer interaction. And, according to Alfredo Liriano the free summer baseball program coordinator, “the girls pick up the game faster than the boys”.

The League’s leadership includes some of the most prominent figures in Boston’s religious, business and civic sectors. Their goal is to build bridges between neighborhoods and foster the development of the city’s future achievers.

This year’s anniversary celebration included the recognition of several honorees whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the organization and the broader community.

Liam Hendricks of the Red Sox was honored for his continuous advocacy for cancer patients. “We do cancer events, or visits every three days,” he said. “Away from the field, or with veterans, or with first responders, whether it be with a lot of other minority communities — you do it because you believe in the cause, and I want to make sure I leave this game a better place than when I first got to it.”

State Sen. Lydia Edwards was the recipient of the Trailblazer award, A former lieutenant and JAG officer in the Army, Edwards represents one of the most diverse constituencies in the Commonwealth, covering areas from Winthrop to the Back Bay. Her career is marked by several historic “firsts.” As she explained, she is the first woman and first person of color to represent her district in the Senate. Additionally, she is the first person of color in the Senate to chair the influential Judiciary Committee.

Other recipients were Lorin Nelson, a senior advisor to the mayor’s office; Deputy Police Superintendent Nicole Grant; Nebula 9 founder Keith Davis; Emmy Award winner Wyatt Jackson; Aisha Miller of Related Beal; Sheriff’s Department Officer Kerson Lara; Dusty Rhodes, President and founder of Coventures Inc.; and Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijuene.

Robby Thomas served as the master of ceremonies, guiding the program with warmth and enthusiasm. The program opened with a heartfelt prayer led by Rev. Thomas Kennedy. He urged the community to work together to eliminate racism and bias, emphasizing the importance of collective action for a more inclusive society.

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox was also in attendance and stated how proud he was of the law enforcement officers who spend their summer in the park working with so many boys and girls, teaching them the game of baseball and how to communicate and respect others.

Frank Jordan, a special advisor to the Boston Red Sox, also commented how he appreciated Mayor Michelle Wu visiting the ballparks and cheering the youth on during their contests.