Former Marquette basketball player Robert Jackson released his first book this month, “Every Shot Counts: A 30-Day Playbook for Men.” Instead of a quiet signing, he turned the release into a full community day at his shop, Raising the Bar Barbershop. Urban News Journal was there. Watch the full story below, then read the breakdown.
Watch the Full Story
A Book Launch That Became a Community Day
“Every Shot Counts” tells Jackson’s own story, growing up in Milwaukee before basketball took him to Marquette. He wrote most of it during COVID, something he says he never expected to do. Now he wants it in schools, so kids who grew up like he did can see themselves in it.
He didn’t stop at a signing table. Raising the Bar Barbershop turned its lot into a full afternoon for the neighborhood: donated Marquette t-shirts, backpacks and school supplies, a mobile gaming trailer, and face painting for any kid who wanted it.
Marquette Shows Up
Marquette forwards Royce Parham and Joshua Clark spent the afternoon with the kids, signing autographs and running a pickup game on a hoop set up outside. Parham, a junior, talked about his mother playing college ball before him and why a big year is ahead for him this season. Both players said the same thing in different words: showing up for the community that shows up for them at every home game isn’t optional, it’s part of the job.
Free Haircuts, Free Supplies, Free Fun
Jackson said giving back was the plan from the day he opened the shop. Free haircuts and free school supplies are a regular thing at Raising the Bar, not a one-time stunt tied to a book release. Local artist DezignzBy Ulesha ran the face painting station. She’s been doing it since 2011, ever since a booked face painter cancelled on her cousin’s party at the last minute and she stepped in herself.
Giving a City Something to Look Up To
This is the kind of story Urban News Journal shows up for. A guy from this city went to Marquette, wrote a book, and instead of making the release about himself, turned it into a day for the kids and the neighborhood that raised him. Shirts on their backs, school supplies in their hands, a trailer full of games, and paint on their faces. That’s community. That’s not a press release.
Grab Robert Jackson’s book, “Every Shot Counts,” and if you didn’t make it out to the event, here’s your look at what you missed.
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