Roberto Clemente Jr., son of baseball legend Roberto Clemente Sr., will deliver the keynote address at Montgomery County Community College's Presidential Symposium on Diversity on Feb. 11.
The free public event, centered on the theme "Lead by Example: Opportunity and Access," will take place at the college's newly renovated Cultural Center Theater in Blue Bell.
Clemente Jr., a former professional baseball player turned philanthropist and entrepreneur, will share his experiences growing up as the eldest son of the Pittsburgh Pirates star, including the impact of his father's death in a 1972 plane crash while delivering earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua.
The younger Clemente played professionally for several teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles, before injuries cut short his career. He later founded the RBI Baseball Program in Puerto Rico to promote youth sports participation among disadvantaged children.
As head of the Roberto Clemente Foundation, he has spent three decades supporting at-risk youth and providing disaster relief. He recently served as global ambassador for Food for The Hungry, a nonprofit serving vulnerable populations worldwide.
"We are honored to welcome Roberto Clemente Jr. to share his inspiring message about how true leadership emerges through overcoming obstacles," said Dr. Stephanie Allen, the college's director of equity, diversity and belonging.
The symposium, now in its 15th year, has previously featured speakers including Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett and Wes Moore. The event requires advance registration through the college's website.
Roberto Clemente Sr., who died at age 38, was the first Latin American player to reach 3,000 hits in Major League Baseball and the first Latino inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Beyond his athletic achievements, he was known for his humanitarian work.
Montgomery County Community College, established in 1964, serves students at campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, Pennsylvania, offering more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs. The college has received national recognition for its work with military veterans and sustainability initiatives.
