Black History Month Celebration Brings Tennis & Community Together at Pompey Park

USTA Florida’s AMPLIFY community activation made a powerful impact on February 15 at Pompey Park in Delray Beach, bringing together more than 60 parents and kids for a day of tennis, inspiration, and community connection in celebration of Black History Month.  

The event was a collaborative effort between USTA Florida and key community partners, including Dennis Quaye and Brittany Odom of Dennis Tennis Serving Love, a USTA NJTL, Typhani Ali of KAMP UNITED, a USTA NJTL, and the City of Delray Beach. The free activation extended the excitement into the heart of the community at the courts dedicated to Coco Gauff. 

Centered on the theme of Celebrating Legacy, Empowering the Future, Building Community, the event offered on-court programming for players of all ages and abilities. Outdoors, Coach Dennis Quaye of Dennis Tennis Serving Love, a USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) program, led a Green Ball tennis clinic alongside Coach David, working with participants on fundamentals and fun. 

Inside, a dedicated group of volunteers ran Red Ball tennis activities tailored for younger and beginning-level players, ensuring that everyone had a chance to pick up a racket and get involved. 

Adding to the energy of the day, USTA Florida President Chuck Gill stopped by to lend a hand with the Red Ball players, offering pointers and encouragement to the youngest participants on court. 

The day also featured a Black Excellence Tennis Panel moderated by George Henry of USTA Florida. Panelists included James Leggett, an adult tennis player heavily involved with the American Tennis Association; Kamryn Ali, a junior tennis player; William Murray, a tennis coach who started tennis programming at Pompey Park in Delray Beach; and Tina McCall Waters, founder of Denton Johnson Tennis and a longtime tennis volunteer.  

The discussion offered candid perspectives on the challenges faced as players, coaches, volunteers, organizers, and parents in the tennis community. Panelists shared personal stories of perseverance and offered practical tips on how to keep pushing to reach your goals, providing meaningful takeaways for the families and young players in attendance. 

The AMPLIFY activation at Pompey Park was a celebration of the legacy of Black excellence in tennis and a reminder of the sport’s power to inspire, connect, and uplift communities. USTA Florida remains committed to creating spaces where everyone can experience the joy of tennis and the strength of community. 

Looking to host an event in your community? Contact Ashley Shaw, USTA Florida Diversity Outreach Coordinator, (shaw@ustaflorida.com) to learn how you can host an event today! To learn more about AMPLIFY, visit ustaflorida.com/amplify.