Success Stories

From Troubled Teen to Basketball Star

United Way is committed to raising Successful Kids by providing access to programs allowing our youth to reach their potential as adults – a key in creating lasting change in our community. Different paths lead youth to the various services we offer. But the outcomes for thousands are life changing. Darnell Jackson is a perfect example.

Darnell ran with a rough crowd as a young teen. After a run-in with police, he was assigned to complete community service at the McKinley Park Boys & Girls Club. It didn’t take long for Darnell to realize the Club would change his life. Even though he had completed his sentence, Darnell continued attending the Club everyday to play basketball.

With direction and support from the coaches at McKinley Park, Darnell successfully tried out for his high school team, where he was a star. Recruited by the Kansas Jayhawks, he had an equally stellar college career, in both athletics and academics. His college career ended in 2008 with a degree, and the NCAA national championship.

Darnell Jackson was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft. Currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Darnell makes two stops every time he returns to Oklahoma City. The first is to see his mom, the second – the McKinley Park Boys & Girls Club. Now that’s lasting change.