Cameron Maybin of Atlanta Braves becomes an ambassador for LEAF Schools & Streets

Press release:

At LEAF Community Arts (LEAF), we believe in the power of building communities, connecting cultures and enriching lives through the arts and our first LEAF Schools & Streets Ambassador, Atlanta Braves’ Cameron Maybin, agrees. Around this time each year, LEAF welcomes conversations from the community and encourages membership which, coupled with other fundraising efforts, allows us to continue our work in arts education. Now in its 20th year, LEAF has begun to look beyond the year’s fundraising goals and asked – “What do we envision – with our community – for the next 5 years?” After reviewing notes from the LEAF 2020 Vision Summits in 2014, and ongoing support from friends across Western NC, we started to take our LEAF 2020 journey toward long-term sustainability. This road led us to sit down with Cameron Maybin recently and by the end of the conversation, Maybin became the lead contributor to the LEAF Endowment Fund – on a path to raise $1.5 million – and a LEAF Schools & Streets Ambassador!

“I believe in the power of African-American youth in Asheville and that through music and arts they can have a voice to change their lives”, states Atlanta Braves’ Center Fielder, Cameron Maybin. Cameron Keith Maybin, played baseball for T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville. As a freshman, Maybin led his team to a state title and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. In 2004, Maybin won the Connie Mack World Series MVP award and was also named the 2004 Baseball America Youth Player of the Year. Following multiple Minor League seasons and honors, Maybin entered the Major Leagues in August 2007 with the Detroit Tigers. After spending time playing with the Florida Marlins, New Orleans Zephyrs and San Diego Padres, Maybin joined the Atlanta Braves in April 2015 where he currently serves as Center Fielder.

LEAF Schools & Streets proves that music and the arts can bridge cultures and create life-altering, community-building experiences. LEAF Schools & Streets partners with the community to provide engaging, rewarding arts experiences where they are needed most.

Now with the support of Maybin, LEAF is able to make a deeper investment in Asheville youth with a particular focus on housing communities and siloed historic African-American neighborhoods. Maybin grew up in the Asheville community and has family throughout the Asheville neighborhoods. LEAF Schools & Streets actively operates a program with Teaching Artist Lisa Zahiya teaching a Hip Hop Dance Class. Next steps on the journey include plans to use the models of LEAF Southside Drummers, LEAF Delta House Jazz Band and LEAF Deaverview Dance Crew to work with more neighborhoods. as Maybin cheers us all on!