About Us:
Rooted in Community.
Built for Impact.
The Bobby Portis Foundation exists to uplift families and strengthen communities.
The Bobby Portis Foundation is a community-focused nonprofit dedicated to creating programs and initiatives that support single mothers, youth, and families throughout Arkansas and Wisconsin.
Founded by NBA Champion Bobby Portis, the Foundation is rooted in lived experience. Growing up in a single-mother household shaped Bobby’s understanding of resilience, sacrifice, and the importance of having support systems in place. That foundation now fuels work designed to remove barriers, expand opportunity, and help families move forward with stability and confidence.
Why the Bobby Portis Foundation Exists
Across communities, families are navigating rising costs, limited access to resources, and challenges that make stability harder to reach—especially for single-parent households.
The Bobby Portis Foundation was created to respond to those realities with intention. Rather than focusing on one-time solutions, the Foundation invests in programs that support families holistically, uplift youth, and strengthen communities from the inside out.
This work is about equity, dignity, and opportunity—ensuring families are not navigating hardship alone.
A Community-Driven Approach to Impact
Single Mother
& Family Support
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Programs that promote stability, independence, and access to essential resources for single mothers and their families.
Youth Development
& Mentorship
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Opportunities that encourage leadership, discipline, confidence, and personal growth—on and off the court.
Food Security
& Basic Needs
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Mobile food distributions, partnerships with local food banks, and seasonal giveback initiatives addressing hunger and access.
Community Giving
& Engagement
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Back-to-school drives, holiday programs, Mother’s Day initiatives, and partnerships that directly serve local communities.
The Bobby Portis Foundation
has introduced programs and partnerships that reach families across Arkansas and Wisconsin—providing support, resources, and opportunity where it’s needed most. Through consistent community engagement, the Foundation is building trust, strengthening families, and creating pathways for lasting change.
Meet Our
CEO
LaTina Edwards
CEO, The Bobby Portis Foundation
Born and raised in the Granite Mountain community of Little Rock, Arkansas, LaTina Edwards is a former collegiate basketball player, devoted mother of four, and founder of Tina’s House, a signature initiative of the Bobby Portis Foundation. After playing at Hinds Community College and Alcorn State University, she chose to put family first and dedicated herself to raising her children as a single mother, instilling the values of faith, discipline, and perseverance.
Inspired by her own journey, LaTina created Tina’s House to support single parents through financial literacy, credit education, homeownership resources, and year-round community support. Her mission is rooted in helping families overcome obstacles and build stronger futures. “I want Tina’s House to be a light for another mother—to remind her she’s not alone,” she says.
Today, through the Bobby Portis Foundation, LaTina helps lead programs that provide resources, opportunity, and hope to families across Arkansas and beyond. Her story is a testament to resilience, service, and the power of using personal experience to create lasting community impact.
Meet Our
Executive Director
Dr. Ericka O’Neal-McCarroll
Executive Director, The Bobby Portis Foundation
Dr. Ericka O’Neal-McCarroll serves as Executive Director of the Bobby Portis Foundation, leading the organization’s mission to support single mothers, strengthen families, and empower youth through education, sports, and community engagement.
With more than 30 years of experience in education and leadership, she brings deep expertise in program development, strategic partnerships, and community-centered impact. Her leadership is rooted in a lifelong commitment to equity, empowerment, and service—values that guide the Foundation’s initiatives across Arkansas and Wisconsin.
A visionary connector and advocate, Dr. O’Neal-McCarroll continues to expand the Foundation’s reach by building meaningful partnerships that deepen impact and create opportunity. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and has served in multiple leadership roles within urban education, ensuring families and youth have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Meet Our
Baskeball
Director
Coach Jarod Summons
Director of Underdog Basketball Operations
Coach Jarod Summons is a Little Rock native who played high school basketball at Little Rock Hall and Little Rock Parkview before graduating in 2019. He continued his education at the University of Arkansas, where he served as a student manager for the Razorbacks Men’s Basketball program under Head Coach Eric Musselman from 2019 to 2023 while earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
A passionate mentor and educator, Coach Summons currently teaches at Jacksonville Middle School and coaches boys basketball at Jacksonville High School. His experience in both the classroom and on the court reflects his commitment to developing young people through leadership, discipline, and teamwork.
Beyond education and coaching, Coach Summons plays an active role in youth development through Underdog Academy camps in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Milwaukee. He has also worked with 1of1Underdog and AND1 on merchandise development and brand initiatives. A member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., he enjoys sports, collecting sneakers, and spending time with family and friends.
How To Get Involved
Support the Mission. Strengthen a Mother. Change a Future.
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Donate: Help us expand services for mothers in Milwaukee and Little Rock.
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Partner: Join us as a community partner or service provider.
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Volunteer: Use your skills to uplift mothers and children.