The Representation Curveball: How a Milwaukee Director is Addressing Declining Diversity in Pro-Baseball
- Mikayla Sullivan
- Mar 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 9
In 1981, when Major League Baseball (MLB) representation was at its ‘peak’, 18.7% of players were Black. Today, that number is less than half that - a startling figure for a sport that was once a catalyst for desegregation in professional athletics. For local Milwaukee director and former pro baseball player, Justin Jackson, that decline prompted him to start a conversation around the topic through his short film, Dreams Fuel Greatness.
“I felt a responsibility to support my fellow Black ballplayers in any way possible and this project is an extension of that support - just expressed in a different form.”
Dreams Fuel Greatness follows the story of Miles Smith, a young Black boy with dreams of playing in the major leagues. The story captures the unrestrained imagination, hope, and love that young Miles has for baseball and the evolution of his devotion to the sport through hard work, grit, and determination as he grows into a young man.
While it may seem like a fictitious take on one boy’s journey to the pros, for Jackson and the real Miles Smith, it’s a nostalgic take on their own intersecting paths to major league baseball:
“I met Miles playing summer ball in Cincinnati. Him and his dad would come to watch me play and we ended up training together over the years. He was just a natural fit for the character that I wanted to create.”
When Jackson’s journey playing pro baseball came to its natural end, it didn’t feel right to hang up the glove for good. Instead, he picked up a camera and began to record baseball tips and techniques to post on Youtube, unknowingly setting motion to what would become his next passion - filmmaking. Years later, the two defining chapters of Jackson’s life would converge in what would become Dreams Fuel Greatness.
Over the course of 5 days, Jackson and his volunteer crew of 20+ local creatives transformed a bedroom, garage, local baseball field, The Halo Facility, Studio Space MKE, Peps Studio, and The Lake Country Dockhounds stadium to execute the creative vision behind the project.
“Milwaukee has a truly generous film community that readily supports positive messages and elevates ideas into something special.”
Each scene shot throughout their 12-16 hour days was specifically designed to match Jackson’s cinematic vision; from the strategic rigging of overhead and background lights to the precise color and tone illuminating the frames.
While nailing the visual design was crucial, capturing audio was just as important. The foley process enabled them to draw out the distinct ping of a baseball being hit or the whoosh of cleats over turf, so the viewer will not only see but truly hear a scene - allowing them to fully immerse themselves in Mile’s character.
“Authenticity was crucial for DFG, and our film community played a pivotal role in creating that authentic world within the project.”
Pairing the rich audio with vivid imagery evokes a visceral reaction that Jackson believes will transcend the screen: “I hope viewers feel inspired after watching the video, athletes feel motivated to get back in the gym, filmmakers feel inspired to create their own pieces of art, and ultimately, I hope this sparks a conversation on how to increase the number of Black ballplayers.”
As the MLB continues their efforts to attract a more diverse roster, it’ll take smaller steps on a more local level to champion support and foster opportunities for young Black boys in the Milwaukee community. With the release of Dreams Fuel Greatness, the conversation around representation can take center field through a medium which has the power to be widely shared and largely influential.
For Justin Jackson, Dreams Fuel Greatness is a love letter to baseball, a testament to local filmmaking, and an inspiration for the next generation of Black baseball players.
Tentative video release date: April 2025
