Ricardo González began his session titled “The Intersect Between Cultural Leadership and Business Growth” by showing the audience pictures of Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson. González, the founder and CEO of Bilingual America, recounted how Rickey signed Robinson to a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers, making him the first African-American player in the Major Leagues. “Why did he do it? Because it was good for business,” González said. Robinson was a talented and exciting player who could help the team win — and put fans in the stands. “The bottom line is the bottom line because you are in business, right?”
Of course, the ripple effect of the move on the game of baseball was enormous. Robinson opened the door for other players of color, and the influx of talent revolutionized the game. “When you break down cultural barriers, big things happen,” González said.