My interest in establishing and supporting Club 42 was initially motivated by a desire to increase participation of African Americans and to promote diversity in baseball, inspired by the relationship between the great Jackie Robinson and my uncle Ralph Branca, members of the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers.  Club 42 also reflected my upbringing in a racially integrated environment in Mt. Vernon, NY, where I spent my early childhood.  It was something I wanted to be part of my son Dylan’s life.  Club 42 has grown to be more than that.  It is a real community and an extended family characterized not only by baseball, but by basketball and football get-togethers and other occasional outings.