Montgomery County Community College held its annual Presidential Symposium on Diversity earlier this month with hundreds showing up to hear what keynote speaker Roberto Clemente Jr. had to say.

The famed former professional athlete turned broadcaster, philanthropist and entrepreneur is the son of the late baseball legend Roberto Clemente Sr.

“He was one of the original influencers,” Clemente Jr., 59, said of his father, underscoring his lasting legacy more than 50 years after a tragic plane crash that claimed his life.

The community college’s Health Science Center gym was filled with people eager to learn more about Clemente Jr.’s journey that began in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Clemente Jr. recalled traveling between there and Pittsburgh, where his father played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente Sr. became the first Latino both to make 3,000 hits and be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, according to a statement from the community college.

In addition to his athletic acumen, Clemente Jr. noted his father’s tireless humanitarian efforts and time spent as a chiropractor. Clemente Sr. was on a plane in 1972 delivering aid en route to Nicaragua when it went down.

Clemente Jr. begged his father not to get on the plane. He recalled that fateful morning saying “dad don’t get on that plane because that plane is going to crash.” “He looked at me and said, ‘see you when I back.’ I already knew. Obviously the rest is history,” Clemente Jr. said. “That day baseball lost a superstar; society found a hero, a legend.”

Clemente Sr. left behind his wife and three children. He was 38. Clemente Jr. reiterated how his father’s legacy lives on.

“It was influenced by this man from Puerto Rico who played the game the hard way, but he utilized that platform to do better and to speak for the voiceless,” he said. “There are so many people today. They have gone through schools, [and] by the way, I’m proud … you’re here, thank you.”

Along with students from several area schools, including Boyertown, Methacton, Norristown, Pottstown, and Souderton, Roberto Clemente Middle School students were in attendance from Philadelphia’s Franklinville section.

“There are 40 schools that carry the name, the impact of that,” he said. “Kids are learning about Clemente … throughout this country.”

As his father’s namesake, Clemente Jr. followed in his footsteps by playing professional baseball for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres, he said.

Clemente Jr. emphasized the role he played as a leader back in his professional baseball days, as he confronted challenges of life without his father and instances of racism in the 1980s. Sharing an anecdote from 1985 in North Carolina, he recalled having to translate for a coach to more than a dozen of his teammates.

While Clemente said the coach uttered racist and bigoted profanities, Clemente translated something different entirely.

“My translation to my boys, guys this is our new manager. We’re here to play ball, we’re here to have fun. Whatever I tell you, we’re going to do. Let’s go play some hard baseball,” he said.

Clemente added how the coach later apologized to him personally. The coach told him how he “learned that none of those players knew a bad word I was trying to relate to them … because of you, they never heard anything negative, it was all positive, and because of that, you have broken the chain of bigotry in my family.”

After sustaining an injury that halted his athletic career, Clemente returned to Puerto Rico. His story continued as he shared a pivot he made changing from a player to a coach. Clemente Jr. continued philanthropic efforts launching the RBI Baseball Program and Roberto Clemente Foundation, assisting youth over the past three decades, according to a statement from the community college.

Clemente Jr. also worked in sports broadcasting and film production as he shared a clip of an upcoming documentary about his father.

“It is very, very important to understand and know who each and everyone is to be able to have empathy for the stories and being able to have the trust by leading by example,” he said.

College President Victoria Bastecki-Perez highlighted this year’s theme, “Lead by Example: Opportunity and Access,” and stressing the impacts the programming has had over the last 15 years.

The annual event “fosters and advances ongoing public dialogue on diversity and inclusiveness among students, employees and community members,” she said.

The symposium has historically included a creative component. As previous years have had programming ranging from workshops to book clubs, the 2025 event featured an essay contest where student Saige Kling was announced as the winner.

A meet-and-greet opportunity followed Clemente’s remarks, where he signed items and took photos with attendees. The February 11 event rounded out with two discussions focusing on public health and linguistics.

As Clemente Jr. wrapped up his remarks he called upon those in the audience to also step up as the next generation of leaders. Using an analogy of a “fingerprint,” he sought to impress upon the impact they can have on the world.

“What you have there is what separates each and every one of you, makes you very unique. It’s your fingerprint. whatever you touch, it’s your name that you leave you behind,” he said, adding to “make sure that whatever you touch you’re touching in a positive way.”

Published: February 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM EST