I am an American
We are One Nation
Each week, this series will introduce you to an exceptional American who unites our communities. In this installment, read about Dwayne Jackson, a former high-school basketball star who saw hope amid hopelessness in his hometown of Fort Myers, Florida.
Each week, this series will introduce you to an exceptional American who unites, rather than divides, our communities. To read more about the American profiled here and more average Americans doing exceptional things, visit onenation.usatoday.com.
FORT MYERS, Florida - Even when discussing the poverty, the abundance of single-parent homes and the education gap in his hometown community, Dwayne Jackson does so with a smile.
The 33-year-old Christian missionary and former Mariner High School basketball star returned home to the historically segregated black community of Fort Myers known as Dunbar because he saw hope amid hopelessness.
Jackson made a leap of faith, resigning from his fourth-grade teaching job at Unity Charter School of Fort Myers two years ago. He formed Hoops On Mission, a nonprofit with one employee — him — and one goal.
Jackson wants to educate and empower Fort Myers youths through basketball and Christian outreach. His annual event happens just before Christmas, when he distributes Bibles and basketballs to at least 200 chil-
dren. But he works year-round, putting on summer basketball camps in order to make a living while seeking donations.
“What I’ve found out is people aren’t aware of what’s going on in Dunbar,” Jackson said. “They’re not aware of kids who aren’t eating. They aren’t aware of kids who are suffering from mental illness. They’re not aware of a boy or girl who’s being sexually abused . ... So I make people aware, from social media or to meeting people at Starbucks. If someone wants to support us financially, I’ll keep them aware of what’s going on in Dunbar. We have a lot of volunteers, a lot of people who support us.”
Unity Charter recently granted Jackson access to its basketball court.
“He’s a kid magnet,” said Stephen Terebieniec, dean of students at the school.
E.J. English, 14, met Jackson two years ago and has been a fan ever since.
“He’s the best trainer in southwest Florida, and he gives back to the community,” English said. Jackson strives to do so with a smile. “My goal is to make 50 people smile every day,” Jackson said. “I learned that people read body language. So I always have a smile. Even when things are going bad, because you never know who’s watching.”
“My goal is to make 50 people smile every day. I learned that people read body language. So I always have a smile.” DWAYNE JACKSON FOUNDER, HOOPS ON MISSION