John Rogers, Jr. - Ariel Investments Co.

This case highlights how the case protagonist encourages Fortune 500 companies and major foundations to increase the volume of business that they do with black and other minority-owned companies. A member of John's Board of Directors has advised him to cease his leadership of this effort because it could be detrimental to Ariel Investments. Is the board member right? Is John being reckless? Is there a model that can be created to determine if and when John and other leaders should publicly express their opinions?