Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson were both leaders in breaking barriers. They both excelled in different sports. Jackie Robinson was a legendary baseball player who fought for equality. Jesse Owens was a track and field star that helped break the color barrier. Jesse Owens performed at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he won gold medals in the long jump, the 100- and 200-meter dash, and the 4-times 100-meter relay. Jesse Owens was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1947. Jesse Owens broke three world records on May 25, 1935.

Jackie and Jesse broke color barriers in the sports they participated in. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 when he played his first Major League Baseball game. According to the  Library of Congress, "Robinson officially broke the major league color line when he put on a Dodgers uniform, number 42, in 1947." This means that Jackie broke the color barrier in 1947 when he became the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. Jesse Owens overcame racial judgment when he was a kid. Barteby.com says, "Jesse Owens was able to overcome racial judgment by surviving a poverty struck childhood training hard in school, and by winning the 1936 Berlin Olympics." This means Jesse trained hard and followed his dreams to overcome the hardships in his life. Jackie and Jesse both came from the South where segregation was prominent in their childhood. Jackie Robinson overcame poverty. The Philidelphia Tribune shares this insight on Jackie's upbringing and his father, "Jerry Robinson, called athletic and handsome, grew tired of the $12.00 a month he earned and left the family when Jackie was just six months old. For a lifetime, Jackie never knew what became of Jerry Robinson." This gives us an example of the life Jackie was born into. Jesse Owens grew up poor but he overcame it. MyBlackHistory.net says "Going to college was a dream that Jesse Owens and his family thought never happen to both racial inequalities and his family's financial  woes." This explains that while growing up, Jesse was unsure if he would be able to accomplish his dreams due to his family's money problems. 

Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens excelled in different sports. Jackie Robinson showed his athletic abilities on the baseball field. In Promises to Keep, by Sharon Robinson, on page 43 it says, " By the end of Dad's (Jackie Robinson's) first official year in the majors, his record spoke for itself. My father led the league in stolen bases and in sacrifice bunts and was second in runs scored. He played 151 of the 154 games that first season, all at first bases, and brought a new aggressive style to the game. The Sporting News and the Baseball Writers' Association named Dad Outstanding Rookie of the Year in honor of his hitting, running, defensive play, and value to his team." This explains that Jackie Robinson was a very talented baseball player. Jesse Owens showed his talents on the track. Encyclopedia Britannica tells us, "He is best remembered for his performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he won gold medals in the long jump, the 100- and 200-meter dashes, and the 4 x 100-meter relay. He was the first American track and field athlete to win four gold medals at a single Olympic Games." Jackie played for America and Jesse played for the world. Jackie played for America, in Promises to Keep Sharon Robinson says "Dad also argued cheer for the Nation Association of colored people freedom fund drive." This means that Jackie played for America. Jesse Owens played for the world, MyBlackHistroy.net says "Meanwhile in foreign Germany, Owens was cheered on enthusiastically by 110,000 people in the Berlin Olympic stadium, with Germans on the streets wanting his autograph." This means that Jackie played for America and Jesse played for the world.

Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson are both leaders who broke barriers. Jackie Robinson helped to change the color barrier so young role models can play baseball. He broke the color barrier so there was a path to desegregation. Jesse Owens also broke the color barrier in track and field. Jesse and Jackie Robinson are both leaders in social change, who challenged unjust systems and fought for what they believed in; equality.