From the AAC
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK., August 25, 2023 – Athlete Advocate Consortium (AAC), announced two
additions from the University of Arkansas men’s basketball team to their roster for the upcoming season
— Jeremiah Davenport and El Ellis and a renewed partnership with Jalen Graham. The Northwest
Arkansas-based NIL organization, which was created two years ago, also announced the local non-profits
each of these student-athletes will work with and promote.
Jalen Graham, an Arkansas Men’s basketball returning athlete, will continue his partnership with the
Samaritan Community Center in Rogers and Springdale. Jeremiah Davenport, a +1000 scoring transfer
from Cincinnati, will partner with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). El Ellis, an
All ACC guard transfer from Louisville, will partner with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Arkoma (RMHC).
“Jalen Graham was an outstanding advocate for us last season by raising community awareness
concerning food insecurity in Northwest Arkansas, and Samaritan’s programs that center around that
issue,” said Debbie Rambo, Executive Director of Samaritan Community Center. “We are thrilled to be
working with Jalen again this season as he focuses on the fight against childhood hunger through our
SnackPacks for Kids program,” said Rambo.
Karen Pantello, Chair, Board of Directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in
Arkansas, said her organization is beyond excited to work with Davenport. “We’ve had the opportunity to
visit with Jeremiah a few times and learn more about his personal experience with mental health after the
loss of his father, and we have no doubt he will serve as an excellent ambassador to help raise awareness
of the importance of mental health across the state of Arkansas as he shares his personal story with
others.” said Pantello.
Erin Thomas, Community Development & Media Relations Manager of the Ronald McDonald House,
said El Ellis will help bring more awareness to their organization this year. “We are just so excited to
work with El Ellis this coming season and we know he will do an amazing job off the court to help
educate the NWA community on how they can help support their local Ronald McDonald House.” said
Thomas.
-MORE-
In only their second year of operation, AAC was able to raise over $175,000 for their non-profit partners
last season, bringing the total money raised by the AAC to over $225,000 since it began. Non-profits are
encouraged each year to apply on the AAC website for consideration as a future AAC partner. According
to AAC Co-founder Mandy Hunt, their vision for this NIL organization has once again become a reality.
“In AAC’s third season of basketball and NIL partnership, I could not be more excited to continue raising
awareness for local non-profits while cheering on our athletes. I expect not only will we be watching them
connect to the community but will see them dancing through March.” said Mandy Hunt.
About Athlete Advocate Consortium
AAC provides a full-time team to each of our partner athletes, a team dedicated to building the student-
athlete’s image and helping them reach their full potential. The AAC team focuses on all facets of the
student-athlete’s college career and most importantly, their future. In addition to giving the student-athlete
an opportunity to give back and further accelerate his/her potential, we hope to show how one person can
make a difference at their individual level, whether they are a star athlete or any member of our
community.
About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those
affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart
about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention
through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert
Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with an Advocacy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local
chapters in all 50 states including Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
At Ronald McDonald House Charities ® of Arkoma, we believe in fostering the well-being and progress of
young lives. We currently provide dental care to children through our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile ®
and a “home-away-from-home” for families of ill and injured children through our Ronald McDonald
Houses ® in Fayetteville and Fort Smith, and our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms ® in Fort Smith and
Rogers. We rely on the support and investment of the community to fulfill our mission to create, find and
support programs that improve the health and well-being of children in Western Arkansas and Eastern
Oklahoma.
About Samaritan Community Center
Samaritan Community Center (SCC), a local nonprofit organization in Rogers and Springdale, serves the
hurting and hungry of Northwest Arkansas with wraparound services. During 2022, the SCC provided
10,775 families with groceries, served 55,034 meals, and distributed 207,490 snackpacks to at-risk
children through their nutritional programs. Their Samaritan Care program assisted 4,029 individuals with
local resource referrals, rent/utility assistance, and case management. Their charitable dental clinic
provided $648,000 in free dental care to uninsured, low-income adults. SCC also operates two thrift
stores in Rogers and Springdale which provide 40% of the operational support for the organization.
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK., August 25, 2023 – Athlete Advocate Consortium (AAC), announced two
additions from the University of Arkansas men’s basketball team to their roster for the upcoming season
— Jeremiah Davenport and El Ellis and a renewed partnership with Jalen Graham. The Northwest
Arkansas-based NIL organization, which was created two years ago, also announced the local non-profits
each of these student-athletes will work with and promote.
Jalen Graham, an Arkansas Men’s basketball returning athlete, will continue his partnership with the
Samaritan Community Center in Rogers and Springdale. Jeremiah Davenport, a +1000 scoring transfer
from Cincinnati, will partner with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). El Ellis, an
All ACC guard transfer from Louisville, will partner with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Arkoma (RMHC).
“Jalen Graham was an outstanding advocate for us last season by raising community awareness
concerning food insecurity in Northwest Arkansas, and Samaritan’s programs that center around that
issue,” said Debbie Rambo, Executive Director of Samaritan Community Center. “We are thrilled to be
working with Jalen again this season as he focuses on the fight against childhood hunger through our
SnackPacks for Kids program,” said Rambo.
Karen Pantello, Chair, Board of Directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in
Arkansas, said her organization is beyond excited to work with Davenport. “We’ve had the opportunity to
visit with Jeremiah a few times and learn more about his personal experience with mental health after the
loss of his father, and we have no doubt he will serve as an excellent ambassador to help raise awareness
of the importance of mental health across the state of Arkansas as he shares his personal story with
others.” said Pantello.
Erin Thomas, Community Development & Media Relations Manager of the Ronald McDonald House,
said El Ellis will help bring more awareness to their organization this year. “We are just so excited to
work with El Ellis this coming season and we know he will do an amazing job off the court to help
educate the NWA community on how they can help support their local Ronald McDonald House.” said
Thomas.
-MORE-
In only their second year of operation, AAC was able to raise over $175,000 for their non-profit partners
last season, bringing the total money raised by the AAC to over $225,000 since it began. Non-profits are
encouraged each year to apply on the AAC website for consideration as a future AAC partner. According
to AAC Co-founder Mandy Hunt, their vision for this NIL organization has once again become a reality.
“In AAC’s third season of basketball and NIL partnership, I could not be more excited to continue raising
awareness for local non-profits while cheering on our athletes. I expect not only will we be watching them
connect to the community but will see them dancing through March.” said Mandy Hunt.
About Athlete Advocate Consortium
AAC provides a full-time team to each of our partner athletes, a team dedicated to building the student-
athlete’s image and helping them reach their full potential. The AAC team focuses on all facets of the
student-athlete’s college career and most importantly, their future. In addition to giving the student-athlete
an opportunity to give back and further accelerate his/her potential, we hope to show how one person can
make a difference at their individual level, whether they are a star athlete or any member of our
community.
About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those
affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart
about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention
through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert
Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with an Advocacy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local
chapters in all 50 states including Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
At Ronald McDonald House Charities ® of Arkoma, we believe in fostering the well-being and progress of
young lives. We currently provide dental care to children through our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile ®
and a “home-away-from-home” for families of ill and injured children through our Ronald McDonald
Houses ® in Fayetteville and Fort Smith, and our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms ® in Fort Smith and
Rogers. We rely on the support and investment of the community to fulfill our mission to create, find and
support programs that improve the health and well-being of children in Western Arkansas and Eastern
Oklahoma.
About Samaritan Community Center
Samaritan Community Center (SCC), a local nonprofit organization in Rogers and Springdale, serves the
hurting and hungry of Northwest Arkansas with wraparound services. During 2022, the SCC provided
10,775 families with groceries, served 55,034 meals, and distributed 207,490 snackpacks to at-risk
children through their nutritional programs. Their Samaritan Care program assisted 4,029 individuals with
local resource referrals, rent/utility assistance, and case management. Their charitable dental clinic
provided $648,000 in free dental care to uninsured, low-income adults. SCC also operates two thrift
stores in Rogers and Springdale which provide 40% of the operational support for the organization.
