Atlanta School Board Could Rename A School In Honor Of Hank Aaron

One of Atlanta’s schools could soon bear a new name in honor of Hank Aaron.

The Atlanta Braves legend died on January 22. He was 86.

The Atlanta school board will consider whether to rename Forrest Hill Academy in honor of Aaron, switching the alternative high school’s identity from one shared with Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who also led the KKK, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday (February 26).

The school board’s vote is slated for Monday (March 1).

Committee members met Thursday (February 25) to consider new names for the school, according to the Journal-Constitution. The committee’s recommendation is Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy.

If the board votes in favor of the new name, it would also have to vote to override a policy that says the district must wait at least five years after a person has died before naming a school in their honor.

The Atlanta Braves also took action to honor Aaron, including by establishing a fellowship program in his honor to boost diversity. Officials announced the fellowship earlier this month.

The Henry Aaron Fellowship establishes an executive leadership program lasting a year, providing the opportunity to work in business operations at the Atlanta Braves front office, according to an MLB press release. The program is slated to begin this season.

Others circulated online petitions to rename the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Hammers, in honor of Aaron’s famous “Hammering’ Hank” nickname. Some petitions called to rename Truist Park in his honor.

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