Honoring legendary figures in Negro Leagues baseball is the focus of the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum’s upcoming luncheon titled “New Visions and Past Glories.” The festive event pays tribute to unsung athletes and pioneers and features a keynote address by Jimmie Lee Solomon who, as executive vice president of operations for Major League Baseball, is one of the highest ranking African Americans in the professional sport. The new mission of the museum, now in its 41st year will also be unveiled. The luncheon takes place Monday, September 15, at noon at the National Press Club at 529 14th Street N.W., Washington, D.C., and proceeds will benefit the museum.

Glenn Harris, host of his popular show “SportsTalk” on WJLA/News Channel 8, is the master of ceremony for the affair, which includes the presentation of the “Legends Award” to individuals who have made significant contributions to Negro Leagues baseball. Awardees include James Tillman Sr. and William “Sonny” Randall of the Washington Homestead Grays, Wallace “Bucky” Williams of both the Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords and Monford Merrill “Monte” Irvin, of the Newark Eagles, New York Giants and Chicago Cubs. Posthumous “Legends Awards” will be presented to James “Cool Papa” Bell of the St. Louis Stars, Kansas City Monarchs and the Grays; Sam Lacy, veteran sports writer for the Washington and Baltimore Afro-American Newspapers; Cumberland Willis Posey, owner of the Grays; and Toni Stone who, as a player for the Kansas City Monarchs and Indianapolis Clowns, was the first of three female Negro Leagues players.

“New Visions and Past Glories” expands on the theme of the museum’s acclaimed original exhibition, “Separate and Unequaled: Black Baseball in the District of Columbia” currently on view through Oct. 5 at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. The exhibition heralds the history, heyday and accomplishments of Negro Leagues baseball during segregation, with particular emphasis on the Grays. The benefit is organized by the museum’s advisory board, chaired by Dr. Gloria Herndon, and tickets are $125. For information on tickets call (202) 633-4875 or visit anacostia.si.edu.

The Anacostia Community Museum opened in southeast Washington in 1967 as the nation’s first federally funded neighborhood museum. Adopting its current name in 2006, the museum has expanded its focus from an African American emphasis to documenting, interpreting and collecting objects related to the impact of historical and contemporary social issues on communities. For more information on the museum, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or (202) 633-5285 (TTY); for tours, call (202) 633-4870. Web site: anacostia.si.edu.

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