Alley-Oop The Vote Brings Joy, Community, and Democracy Together
On May 7 2026 , hundreds of community members gathered at Portland State University's Viking Pavilion for the inaugural Alley-Oop The Vote, a community basketball showcase designed to celebrate democracy, civic participation, and the power of coming together.
At a time when many people feel disconnected from politics, Alley-Oop The Vote offered something different: a joyful reminder that democracy belongs to all of us.
The evening brought together elected officials, artists, athletes, organizers, nonprofit leaders, business owners, media personalities, and community members for a spirited basketball game focused on building excitement for Oregon's upcoming May primary election. What unfolded was more than a game, it was a celebration of community, connection, and collective action.
And despite many players insisting beforehand that they were "just here for fun," once the ball was tipped, it quickly became clear that both teams came ready to compete. The crowd was treated to an evening full of hustle, laughter, friendly rivalry, and unforgettable moments on the court.
While Team Suns ultimately took home the inaugural championship, everyone who participated helped make the event a success.
Building Civic Joy
At Imagine Black, we believe that voting is important, but we also know that democracy is about more than filling out a ballot.
Democracy is about relationships.
It is about community members coming together to solve problems, imagine better futures, and hold institutions accountable. It is about recognizing that our voices matter and that we all have a role to play in shaping the future of Oregon.
Alley-Oop The Vote was created to help make civic engagement feel accessible, welcoming, and joyful. We wanted people to leave inspired, not only to vote, but to stay involved in their communities long after Election Day.
Thank You to Our Players and Coaches
A special thank you to every player who stepped onto the court and helped bring this vision to life.
Our players represented a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, but they all shared a commitment to community and a willingness to use their platforms to encourage civic participation.
We are also incredibly grateful to our coaches, Helen Darling (Team Tigers) and Chabre Vickers (Team Suns), for leading their teams with enthusiasm, humor, and competitive spirit.
Team Suns: Alexis Braly James, Councilor Candace Avalos, JT Flowers, Terry Johnson, Rep. Lamar Wise, Samuel Thompson, Shannon Boxx, D'Artagnan Caliman, and Kamikazi
Team Tigers: Esperanza Spalding, Councilor Angelita Morillo, Carrod Watson, Stephen Green, Quintin Jones, Mat Randol, Jocelyn Rice, and Intisar Abioto.
Thank You to Our Referees, Commentators, MC, and Performers
Events like this only happen because of the many people working behind the scenes and in front of the crowd to create an unforgettable experience.
Thank you to our referee, Kevin McGlothen, for keeping the game moving and ensuring fair play throughout the evening.
Thank you to News with My Fiancé, Morgan Jones and DJ Ambush, for bringing energy, commentary, and community-centered storytelling to the event.
Thank you to our incredible Master of Ceremonies, Libra Forde, for guiding us through the evening with wisdom, warmth, and enthusiasm.
Thank you, Hoopbus, for stopping by.
We are also deeply grateful to Be Present Art Group for opening the evening with a beautiful performance of the Black National Anthem and to The Alley Oopers for helping ground the event in community, culture, and celebration.
Thank You to Our Volunteers, Staff, and Partners
Alley-Oop The Vote would not have been possible without the dozens of volunteers who helped with registration, merchandise, voter engagement, setup, cleanup, and countless other responsibilities throughout the evening.
Thank you to the staff of Imagine Black and Imagine Black Futures, whose months of planning, coordination, outreach, and creativity helped transform an idea into reality.
A special thank you to Portland State University and the staff at Viking Pavilion for helping us host this event and welcoming our community into the space. Thank you to JM Joints for bringing the interactive set design to life and to Jesse Rowell Jr. for capturing the joy, community, and special moments that made Alley-Oop The Vote so memorable.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and community partners whose support helped make this event possible.
Your investment helped create a unique space where community members could connect, celebrate democracy, and become more engaged in the upcoming election.
Thank you for believing in this vision and helping bring it to life.
Looking Ahead
This was our first Alley-Oop The Vote, but we hope it will not be our last.
The energy in the room reminded us that people are hungry for spaces that bring together joy, culture, community, and civic engagement. We believe democracy works best when people feel connected to one another and empowered to participate.
As Oregon's elections approach, we encourage everyone to make a plan to vote, encourage a friend or family member to vote, and continue building the communities we deserve.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, played, volunteered, sponsored, performed, cheered from the stands, and helped make history.
We'll see you next year.
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