Dr. Barry Jerkins and Marion Clark unite sports and equity, empowering youth and building community in Oregon.
From Hardwood to Heartbeat: A Partnership That Redefines Community Impact
In a region where sports and social progress rarely share the same stage, two leaders are changing that narrative. When Marion Clark, the visionary founder and owner of the Willamette Valley Jaguars, crossed paths with Dr. Barry Jerkins, President of the NAACP Linn-Benton Branch and Team Chaplain for the Jaguars, a new kind of partnership was born, one rooted in purpose, empowerment, and enduring community impact.
Their collaboration is not just about basketball. It’s about building opportunity, bridging divides, and proving that leadership, when grounded in service, can transform entire communities. Together, Clark and Jerkins are turning Albany, Oregon, into a living model of what happens when vision meets values.
The Evolution of a Branch, The Rise of a Movement
Under Dr. Jerkins’ leadership, the NAACP Linn-Benton Chapter has evolved into one of Oregon’s most dynamic community organizations. What began as a local branch focused on advocacy has grown into a proactive engine for systemic change.
“Our Branch has experienced tremendous growth by staying deeply connected to the specific needs of our community,” Jerkins explains. “We’ve evolved from primarily reactive advocacy to building proactive programming that creates lasting change.”
That evolution is anchored in three key pillars: youth leadership development, economic empowerment, and coalition building. By partnering with local school districts, supporting Black entrepreneurs, and showing up consistently in civic spaces, from virtual town halls to local festivals, the branch has become a trusted bridge between marginalized voices and institutional power.
The result is tangible. Youth mentorship programs are thriving, small business support networks are expanding, and the chapter’s visibility has never been stronger. But what truly distinguishes the Linn-Benton Branch is its hands-on, relational approach, one that mirrors the personal, community-driven spirit of its president.
“In smaller communities, our strength lies in proximity,” Jerkins says. “When we advocate for change, we’re often talking to people we know personally, neighbors, teachers, business owners. That creates accountability and trust.”
Facing the Valley’s Challenges Head-On
The Linn-Benton region, an area known for its agricultural roots and emerging diversity, faces challenges both social and economic. Educational equity remains a top concern, as students of color still encounter barriers to advanced coursework and inclusive curriculums. Economically, disparities in homeownership, employment, and access to capital persist.
Jerkins and his team are addressing these head-on with data-driven strategies: financial literacy workshops, mentorship programs, and advocacy for fair housing and hiring. They also focus on combating the quiet isolation that many people of color experience in predominantly white, rural communities.
“Our work often starts by helping people feel seen,” says Jerkins. “Representation and belonging are foundational to equity. When people know their voices matter, everything else begins to shift.”
Where Sports and Social Justice Intersect
Enter Marion Clark and the Willamette Valley Jaguars, a professional basketball team built not merely to entertain, but to empower. When Dr. Jerkins learned about Clark’s mission to use the Jaguars as a catalyst for economic development and youth empowerment, the synergy was immediate.
“This partnership grew organically from shared values,” Jerkins recalls. “We saw that the Jaguars weren’t just a basketball team, they were a platform for positive change.”
Together, the NAACP and the Jaguars have crafted a collaboration that extends far beyond the court. From mentorship and internship programs to youth leadership initiatives, the partnership is designed to create pipelines of opportunity for minority students and young athletes throughout Linn and Benton Counties.
“The Jaguars’ focus on accessibility, making sports entertainment affordable and inclusive, resonated deeply with our mission,” says Jerkins. “They understand representation matters. When young people see successful leaders who look like them, it expands their sense of what’s possible.”
Sports as a Bridge to Unity
Basketball, Jerkins believes, is one of the most powerful tools for social cohesion. In a region often divided by geography and demographics, sports have the power to bring people together under one banner.
“On the court, talent and teamwork matter more than background,” he says. “When families from across the Mid-Valley gather to cheer for the Jaguars, they’re building relationships across lines that often divide us. Sports create shared experiences, and when that energy is guided toward equity and inclusion, real transformation begins.”
Through Jaguars events, the NAACP has hosted voter registration drives, resource fairs, and mentorship sessions, all woven seamlessly into the rhythm of the basketball season. “We’re meeting people where they are,” Jerkins explains. “It’s about turning moments of entertainment into moments of empowerment.”
Measuring Impact: From Data to Transformation
For Jerkins, community impact isn’t just about numbers, it’s about changed lives. “Success for us is both quantitative and qualitative,” he says. “We measure progress not only by metrics but by the stories we hear, the student who graduates because of our mentoring program, the business that thrives because of our advocacy, the family that finds stability through our partnerships.”
That philosophy extends to the Jaguars partnership as well. Each joint initiative is designed with measurable outcomes, whether it’s youth engagement, workforce development, or civic participation. Together, both organizations are proving that community building requires more than good intentions; it demands accountability, collaboration, and persistence.
Building Pipelines, Not Just Programs
Looking toward 2026 and beyond, Dr. Jerkins is focused on scaling the chapter’s academic success, entrepreneurship, and homeownership initiatives, key pathways to building generational wealth in communities of color. With potential state grant funding on the horizon, the vision is clear: create sustainable systems that move people from participation to power.
“Sustainability comes from building capacity, not dependency,” Jerkins emphasizes. “We want to empower young people to become the next generation of leaders, coaches, entrepreneurs, activists, and educators who continue this work.”
The Legacy They’re Building
For both Clark and Jerkins, the ultimate goal isn’t just short-term success, it’s legacy. Together, they envision a Mid-Willamette Valley where sports, business, and social justice intersect to create equitable opportunities for all.
“I hope this partnership shows that when you invest in young people holistically, their minds, their talents, their potential, entire communities are transformed,” Jerkins says. “I want the next generation to look back and say, ‘They believed in us. They built something lasting.’ That’s the legacy worth building.”
As the Jaguars continue their rise on and off the court, and the NAACP Linn-Benton Branch expands its reach, one thing is certain: this partnership has already become a blueprint for how local organizations can rewrite the story of their communities, together.
Get Involved
The Willamette Valley Jaguars and the NAACP Linn-Benton Branch are inviting community members, businesses, and organizations to join their mission of empowerment and unity. Whether through mentorship, sponsorship, or collaboration, there’s a place for everyone in this growing movement.
Learn more and get involved:
