NOMINATION CRITERIA

 

The Black Tennis Hall of Fame would like to receive nominations from anyone interested in honoring a tennis champion or leader.

 

The nomination process for induction into the Class of 2026 will begin on Monday, October 6, 2025. The nomination forms must be totally completed providing all necessary information, and submitted by midnight on Friday, January 16, 2026.  **THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS** 

If you wish to nominate someone into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, please download the Nomination Form and follow all instructions, including the deadline date, and send as follows:

 

        via e-mail:

        sheliarcurry@blacktennishalloffame.com

 

        or:

 

        U.S. Mail:

        Black Tennis Hall of Fame

        c/o Shelia Curry, CEO

        P.O. Box 35006

        North Chesterfield, VA 23235-9998

 

The inductees will be selected by an anonymous team (to prevent inappropriate lobbying), of individuals who have a deep knowledge and understanding of Black Tennis History. If insufficient information of fact based reviewable criteria is how the form is submitted, it it not possible for the  nomination to be selected.

 

Individuals are selected for their achievements in tennis in the categories of:

        Player 
        Contributor 
        Pioneer 
        Organization
        Regional Legend

 

The selection criteria is outlined below. 

Nomination Form Download .pdf 

Player Category Eligibility Criteria

Individuals selected in this category must have an outstanding record of success on the tennis court. They may have won one or more major American Tennis Association (ATA), United States Tennis Association (USTA), International Tennis Federation (ITF) or professional tournament in spite of facing barriers of race and/or class.

Contributor Eligibility Criteria

Individuals selected in this category must have made exceptional contributions to the sport of tennis in spite of facing barriers of race and/or class.

Pioneer Category Eligibility Criteria

Individuals selected in this category must have an outstanding record of success on the tennis court or have made exceptional contributions to the sport of tennis during segregation and prior to civil rights legislation in 1964.

Regional Legend Eligibility Criteria

The individuals selected in this category have committed their lives to enriching the tennis in their communities. Black Tennis Hall of Fame wants to acknowledge and illuminate their accomplishments for the world to see.

Organization Eligibility Criteria

• An African American run organization established prior to the enactment of American civil rights legislation.

• Primarily, the organization must serve minority clients.

• The organization must embody and clearly demonstrate a wholistic approach for junior development inclusive of academics, life skills training and mentoring.

• The organization must operate on an annual basis offering annual programming.