BLACK TENNIS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2021 NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!!

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ON TUESDAY, JUNE 16TH, HALL OF FAMER ROBERT RYLAND, THE FIRST BLACK TENNIS PROFESSIONAL IN AMERICA, CELEBRATED HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

In 1959 Robert Ryland broke through barriers of race and class, and became the first African-American tennis professional. His success in both American Tennis Association (ATA), and integrated amateur tournaments around the country, made him one of the best known Black players in the United States.  In 2009, in honor of his lifetime of achievements, he was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall Fame (BTHOF). 

At the Class of 2019 Induction Ceremony, Mr. Ryland graced us with his presence at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Brooklyn New York, and shared a bit of his wisdom in person, as he shares it in his book.

"I THINK, IF I HAD NOT PLAYED TENNIS, I WOULD NEVER BECOME 99 YEARS OLD."

Robert Ryland 100 from Black Tennis Hall of Fame on Vimeo.

HALL OF FAMER JAMES BLAKE SHARES HIS UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE AS A BLACK MAN ENCOUNTERING POLICE BRUTALITY

"EVERY BIT HELPS!" HALL OF FAMER AND LOUISIANA NATIVE CHANDA RUBIN PARTNERS WITH FEEDING AMERICA TO HELP RESOLVE FOOD INSECURITY IN LOUISIANA

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Louisiana is my home and is filled with so much rich culture. But our state has been hit especially hard lately, and people are fighting hunger in communities that struggled to put food on the table even before the pandemic. Louisiana has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the US and 1 in 4 children can’t count on where their next meal will come from. So I’m partnering with @feedingamerica to help #FeedLouisianaLove. I've donated and I know times are hard but if you’re able, I hope you'll join me by going to FeedLouisianaLove.com to donate too. Every bit helps!

A post shared by Chanda Rubin (@thechandarubin) on May 6, 2020 at 3:41pm PDT

FORMER AMERICAN TENNIS ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALBERT A. TUCKER HAS DIED

Albert A. Tucker served as Vice President of Multicultural Business Development for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB), where he was focused on ensuring that organizations and families of diverse backgrounds select Greater Fort Lauderdale as the destination of choice for conferences and family reunions. It was Tucker’s vision to expose ethnically diverse individuals and groups to Greater Fort Lauderdale so that GFL becomes the destination of choice for individuals of color.

Mr. Tucker had been the leader in the development of a Permanent Home and Training Facility for the American Tennis Association where he formerly served as Executive Director.

In addition to his public service, Mr. Tucker served on the Advisory Board of the Urban League of Broward County, Advisory Board of the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale and was intimately involved with the expansion of Jazz in the Gardens musical festival, which brings in more than 45,000 visitors to South Florida

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WPLG Local 10 News stated that Mr. Tucker died suddenly this weekend. His co-workers said his death was not related to the coronavirus.  A video is posted detailing the work and community appreciation for Mr. Tucker.