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What Employers Can Learn From the Michael Jordan Draft

The Latino Brand: Episode 37

Michael Jordan wasn’t picked first in the NBA draft—he wasn’t even picked second. Why? The Portland Trail Blazers hired for position, not for talent, and passed on the greatest basketball player of all time. In this episode, I explain why employers make the same mistake, and why the smartest leaders hire the best people they can find—regardless of position.

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The Latino brand impacts every aspect of our lives—from how we're viewed in business and media to the opportunities we’re given. In this first episode, Gary Acosta explores why a unified, empowered narrative is essential for Latino prosperity. Learn what Gary shared at the United Nations, how he raised $100M for Latino-led ventures, and why changing the perception of our community is the key to unlocking capital, influence, and success.
The Latino brand impacts every aspect of our lives—from how we're viewed in business and media to the opportunities we’re given. In this first episode, Gary Acosta explores why a unified, empowered narrative is essential for Latino prosperity. Learn what Gary shared at the United Nations, how he raised $100M for Latino-led ventures, and why changing the perception of our community is the key to unlocking capital, influence, and success.
What do people really mean when they say, “DEI is destroying our country”? In this powerful episode, Gary Acosta takes on the backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—and asks whether it’s become a coded way to express racism. He breaks down myths about lowered standards, exposes the hypocrisy behind legacy admissions, and challenges the silence around nepotism and privilege. DEI may be a polarizing term today, but Gary argues that its core values remain essential to capitalism, innovation, and fairness in America’s future.
What if Donald Trump’s greatest strength is something the rest of us refuse to acknowledge? In this thought-provoking episode, Gary Acosta explores what liberals, global leaders, and entrepreneurs might learn from Trump’s approach to leadership. From mastering direct communication to shaping loyalty through perceived authenticity, Gary dives into the mechanics of modern influence—even when the messenger is flawed. Whether you agree or disagree with Trump, the lessons here reveal surprising truths about power, persuasion, and strategy in today’s world.
The left blames billionaires. The right blames immigrants. But the real issue isn’t who we’re fighting—it’s what we’re being distracted from. I break down how access to education, capital, and ownership is the real battleground.
Too many of us hesitate to use tools meant to level the playing field, while others take full advantage of every opportunity they get. I share a personal story that reframes how we think about DEI—and why there’s no reason to hold back.
Wealth isn’t just about money—it’s about freedom. I’ll share why understanding wealth shifts everything: your purpose, your discipline, and your power to shape the future.
AI is changing the game—and Latinos have a chance to jump ahead. I’ll break down how using AI smartly can help close the wealth gap faster than politics, and why the time to act is right now.
The acronym DEI is dead—but the fight for equal opportunity is far from over. I break down why lazy labels set us back, and why we need to rebrand the movement in a way everyone can get behind.
There’s no shortage of social media advice on how to get rich—but most of it misses the point. I explain why the first step to real wealth is understanding why it matters, and how the NAHREP 10 principles lay out the blueprint for a richer, more fulfilling life.
NAHREP 10 Principle #2 is simple: be in the top 10% of your profession. In today’s world, being average won’t cut it. In this episode, I break down why standing out is essential in an AI-driven economy—and how mastering your craft is the key to long-term prosperity.
A lot of people make good money—and still live paycheck to paycheck. In this episode, I talk about why financial independence starts with discipline, how saving more prepares you for opportunity, and why rich people get richer during downturns. If you want to build lasting wealth, it starts with keeping more of what you earn.
In this episode, I break down why minimizing debt is one of the most important principles in the NAHREP 10—and why even so-called “good debt” can wipe you out if you’re overleveraged. I share a real story of someone who had over $10 million in net worth, lost it all during the recession, and why it happened. If you’re carrying high-interest credit card debt, this one’s for you.
Latinos have the highest workforce participation in the country—but we still underinvest in real estate and the stock market. In this episode, I break down why investing 20% of your income in these two asset classes is one of the smartest wealth-building moves you can make. I also explain why small rental properties, REITs, and index funds are the safest places to start—no hype, just strategy.
If your goal is financial independence, you have to know where you stand. In this episode, I break down how to calculate your net worth, what counts as an asset or a liability, and why this number should guide your spending, investing, and long-term goals. Your net worth is more than a figure—it’s a tool to help you design the life you were meant to live.
Being politically loyal to a party over your principles is doing our community a disservice. In this episode, I break down what it really means to be politically savvy—why public policy shapes everything from our taxes to our safety, and how we can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. For Latinos to reach our full potential, we need to show up informed, independent, and unafraid to speak for ourselves.
Wealth without health is meaningless. In this episode, I talk about why the most successful leaders today train their bodies and minds like athletes—and why anyone aiming for the top 1% financially should strive for the top 1% in health too. If your goal is to build a great company or lasting wealth, your energy, focus, and longevity all start with fitness.
Nobody makes it on their own. In this episode, I talk about why generosity—whether it’s time, wisdom, or resources—is one of the most important disciplines we can develop. Latinos are generous by nature, but we often limit that generosity to our families. I share why expanding that generosity beyond our inner circle strengthens our purpose, our community, and our impact.
Telling Latinos to prioritize family may sound like preaching to the choir—but when you’re chasing big goals, it’s easy to drift. In this episode, I share why presence isn’t just about responsibility—it’s a source of inspiration, passion, and long-term power. Family and success aren’t opposites—they’re fuel for each other.
To many of us, mass deportations are traumatic and unjust—but they may also force the country to face an uncomfortable truth: our economy runs on immigrant labor. In this episode, I explore how this crisis could spark the kind of national reckoning we’ve needed for decades.
The biggest threat to America isn’t division or immigration—it’s the growing gap between the rich and everyone else. In this episode, I share why entrepreneurship—not just public policy—is our best hope for closing the wealth gap and bringing the country back together.
With mass deportations and attacks on DEI, it might feel like things are moving backward. But the numbers tell a different story: Latinos are driving the U.S. economy. In this episode, I break down the data that proves our impact—and why it’s time we start owning the narrative.
Sports are more than entertainment—they’re a reflection of culture, identity, and opportunity. In this episode, I break down how sports help us shape a positive narrative for Latino youth, create role models, and open doors to real economic power. From Carl Anthony Towns to Fernando Valenzuela, these stories aren’t just inspiring—they’re strategic.
It’s tempting to call each other out—but that instinct can hold us back. In this episode, I talk about the “Mexican crab” story and why it resonates with our community. To truly change perceptions and attract investment, we need to prioritize wealth, reboot our politics, and most importantly—have each other’s backs.
If you really want to support the Latino agenda, start by being successful. In this episode, I share why making money, collaborating with other Latinos, and lifting each other up are more strategic—and more powerful—than any protest. It’s tough love, but it’s what our community needs to win.
With so much injustice happening—from mass deportations to rising discrimination—you’d think Latinos would be more unified. But that’s easier said than done. In this episode, I break down why unity has eluded us, the four mindsets shaping Latino identity today, and how our shared values—especially family—can still bring us together. Let’s stop arguing and start building. Our strength is in our unity.
Like it or not, Trump may shape the next economic cycle—and some sectors will benefit more than others. In this episode, I share four areas where I believe opportunity will grow in the coming years: business ownership, digital currencies, commercial real estate, and Mexico. From tax advantages to shifting trade dynamics, this is not about politics—it’s about being prepared. If you want to win in the next cycle, start here.
Experts say up to 50% of white-collar jobs could disappear in the next decade—but AI isn’t just a threat. In this episode, I explain how Latinos can turn disruption into opportunity. With the right strategy, we can build more, earn more, and lead in the new economy. Now is our time.
“What did you do during the war?” was once a national rallying cry—and today, it carries new meaning for Latinos in America. In this episode, I reflect on what it means to be under attack in the very country we helped build. From families being separated to legal status revoked, this isn’t just about politics—it’s about our legacy. What will we tell our kids and grandkids we did when our community was under fire?
Why do we “look up” to our leaders? Where did that phrase even come from—and what does it say about what we expect from those in power? In this episode, I explore what real leadership looks like, why confidence and focus matter more than gossip and pettiness, and how Latinos can embody a regal mindset in their own leadership journeys. If you want to lead, you’ve got to rise above the noise.
True leadership starts with extreme accountability—but somewhere along the way, this essential discipline has been lost. In this episode, I share lessons from legendary coaches and why the best leaders own both their victories and their mistakes. If you want respect from your team—and to truly lead—this is where it begins.
If Latino Americans were a stand-alone country, we’d be the fifth largest economy in the world. In this episode, I break down the data behind Latino economic growth, including homeownership and purchasing power, and explain how unity is the key to transforming our influence. I also share the three issues that will define our future power: education, access to capital, and political representation. If we get these right, the next generation of Latinos will lead the world.
Whether we like it or not, the image of Latinos in America affects all of us. So, the question is: what do we want that image to evoke? In this episode, I break down three core traits the Latino brand should represent—grit, positivity, and loyalty—and why these values are key to changing perceptions, inspiring pride, and building trust in our community.
When Auburn coach Bruce Pearl calls President Obama “divisive,” it’s more than just partisan rhetoric—it’s a flawed comparison that ignores context and nuance. In this episode, I break down why Obama’s leadership as the first Black president, fighting for fairness and equality, is nothing like coaching a basketball team—and why Latino leaders must reject oversimplified narratives. The takeaway: we can teach grit and resilience while also standing up for justice.
This September, ProXimo takes over AVANCE Global in San Diego for four days of high-level networking, deal-making, and inspiration. From groundbreaking startups to powerhouse investors, it’s the ultimate marketplace for Latino economic mobility. This year also debuts ProXimo Next, a first-of-its-kind track for the adult children of attendees, designed to build lifelong friendships and business partnerships.
Politicians on both sides have overreached—ICE raids and the war on DEI have gone too far, and history tells us there will be a rebound. In this episode, I explain why attacks on Latinos may end up uniting us more than ever before, and why the backlash could be a turning point for our community.
Category: The Latino Brand

Author: Gary Acosta

Gary Acosta is an entrepreneur, public policy advocate, investor, and thought leader passionate about advancing prosperity for Latinos and other underserved communities.