Happy Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation. It is a time to reflect on the journey toward freedom, justice, and equality.

The history of Black tennis is deeply intertwined with this story of perseverance. Before integration, Black tennis players built their own institutions to compete and thrive. In 1916, the American Tennis Association (ATA) was founded, the oldest African-American sports organization in the United States. The ATA created a space where Black athletes could develop their talents, host national championships, and build community despite exclusion from predominantly white tournaments.

Honoring Champions of the Past

The legacy of Black tennis is filled with champions who broke barriers and inspired generations:

• Althea Gibson became the first Black player to compete at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals in 1950, later winning multiple Grand Slam titles.
• Arthur Ashe rose to become the first Black man to win the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open, and he remains an icon of activism and education.
• Chanda Rubin, a career-high world No. 6, reached the Australian Open semifinals and won seven singles titles on the WTA Tour.
• Lenny Simpson, a USTA NJTL Founder's Service Award recipient, founded the Lenny Simpson Tennis & Education Fund and operates One Love Tennis in North Carolina.

These pioneers opened doors that allow HJTEP to serve over 1,200 young people annually through tennis, education, and wellness programs.

Walking Forward Together

Our Juneteenth walk was more than a commemoration; it was a commitment. As we walked through Harlem and surrounding communities, we carried the stories of those who came before us and the hopes of those who will follow. Families of HJTEP students also attended and participated, which was great to see. It was a wonderful event with strong engagement from both the students and their families. HJTEP continues this legacy by ensuring that tennis remains accessible to youth from under-resourced neighborhoods, with a 95% high school graduation rate and 90% of graduates attending college.

Join Us in Building the Next Chapter

The work of honoring this legacy continues every day. Through our after-school programs, summer camps, and community events, we are developing champions both on and off the court. To learn more about our programs or to support our mission, visit hjtep.org.