Aretha Franklin honored at MLB Luncheon

Aretha Franklin and Bo Jackson are going to be honored at the 2013 MLB Beacon Awards next month.

The announcement was made Thursday by Major League Baseball. Jackson and Franklin will receive the awards at the Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile before the Civil Rights Game in August Billboard reports.

People who have previously won include Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Muhammad Ali, Harry Balafonta, Bill Cosby, and Morgan Freeman.

The Luncheon is an even that celebrates people who fight for equal rights.

“the MLB Beacon Awards offer a positive reminder that there are individuals who use their celebrity and fame to make a positive difference in our society. Major League Baseball is honored to bestow this special recognition on Bo Jackson and Aretha Franklin and to have them be a part of our weekend activities surrounding the Civil Rights Game,” MLB Executive Vice President of baseball development, Frank Robinson said.

MLB.com said Franklin has promoted equality through her song “Respect” and by showing her support for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jackson raised over $600,000 for the tornado victims in Alabama.

Franklin has recently canceled a number of performances to receive treatment for her ill health.

Image: CBS

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on your website.

Learn more about debugging in WordPress.