Lake
Nona, FL – On July
26, 2022, the USPTA welcomed the American Tennis Association (ATA) to its World
Headquarters for the Althea Experience. Founded in Washington, D.C., in 1916, with its
mission to elevate black tennis, the ATA is the oldest and longest-running
African American sports organization in the country.
The evening
began with an intimate reception, where distinguished guests enjoyed food and drinks
and were able to mingle with USPTA staff as well as other attendees and their
families. Following the reception, guests gathered to view the Althea
documentary and partake in a Q&A. Among the evening’s crowd were Roxanne
Aaron, ATA President, and Marisa Grimes, USTA Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
“This is an
amazing opportunity for people to learn more about Althea Gibson, the history,
her legacy,” said Marisa Grimes. “I’m so happy that the USPTA and the ATA were
able to pull this event together, really to expose people more to the history of
tennis, particularly within the black community, which doesn’t often get the
recognition and celebration it should have.”
“I’m really
excited to be here tonight,” said Roxanne Aaron. “It’s important for us to
bring folks over from the ATA to showcase our partnership with the USPTA and
especially to be showing the film about Althea Gibson.”
The USPTA
and ATA collaboration began in January of 2021, when the USPTA announced it
would partner with the American Tennis Association to provide extensive educational
opportunities to ATA coaches. When asked about the importance of the
relationship between the ATA and the USPTA Aaron said, “The leadership that
USPTA CEO, John Embree, has shown is going to continue to increase the
awareness of the importance of African Americans becoming certified tennis
professionals.”
About
the ATA: With a mission to develop, promote, and showcase
opportunities through tennis in diverse communities, the ATA strives to be the
leading diverse adult tennis organization that promotes the education, health,
and wellness of under-served youth and to create the next generation of tennis
heroes and community leaders.
About
the USPTA: Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader
in tennis-teacher certification and professional development. With more than
14,000 members worldwide and 17 divisions nationwide, the association’s mission
is to raise the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and to
promote a greater awareness of the sport.