The non-profit organization “Dennis Tennis Serving Love” or “Dennis Tennis” was created in 2022 by Dennis Quaye, with a goal to provide under resourced youth the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of tennis. The organization is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bringing tennis and its benefits to kids globally. The organization helps children from the United States, Caribbean, and the African continent.
Dennis Quaye, born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, first started playing tennis when he was a young child. He fell in love with the sport and moved to the United States as a teenager where tennis opened the world to him. He would travel the world to compete and his on-court performance earned him a scholarship to play at Newberry College in South Carolina.
After finishing his playing career, he went to Virginia Commonwealth University, where he pursued and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Once he finished college, he became a USPTA certified tennis professional, which led him to recently create Dennis Tennis Serving Love. Dennis Tennis is also part of the USTA National Junior Tennis & Learning Network (NJTL). By being part of this network, the organization has been able to expand the programs they offer because they have attended trainings and seminars such as USTA Florida Community Coach Trainings.
His partner in life and at Dennis Tennis, Brittany Odom Quaye, is the Co-Founder and Assistant Director of the organization. She has over 10 years of experience working in the social services field and is extremely dedicated to ending the cause of homelessness.
Together, the two have brought Dennis Tennis Serving Love into the spotlight as a prime organization helping give back to underserved communities. During their first full year of operation, they engaged with over 450 students, distributed over 170 free tennis racquets, 70 pairs of shoes, and helped 3 countries abroad enjoy tennis. “Through the support of the USTA Florida Foundation, an equipment grant helped 88 students receive free tennis racquets,” Dennis Tennis said.
Dennis Tennis was reaching students through its Student Tennis Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, and School Engagement Tennis (SET) initiative. The STAR program is a free six-week tennis experience that is offered in low-income communities, where teaching the fundamentals and joy of tennis are the top focus. The program also helps students excel in the classroom, giving them a safe space to learn and grow their educational journey.
Through their SET initiative, Dennis Tennis worked with three schools in Broward County, the sixth largest school county in America, to give over 250 students their first taste of tennis. SET offers free tennis clinics to all its attendees and the curriculum is focused on games and drills that work on hand-eye coordination, a skill that can be used in every sport.
While enriching South Florida, Dennis Tennis also helps around the world through their Global Good Initiative. This is their commitment to sharing the joy of tennis beyond the borders of America. Dennis Tennis takes donations for shoes, clothing, and equipment, to provide underprivileged children in Dennis’ hometown back in West Africa, and the Caribbean. In 2023, Dennis Tennis provided tennis equipment to children in Jamaica, Cuba, and Ghana.
The Community Engagement Initiative is Dennis Tennis’ way to serve love on and off the court with all their families. If there’s a community event, you can bet on Dennis Tennis to be there and spread the love of tennis to everyone.
The work of Dennis Tennis is truly amazing, and the results speak for themselves. Wynter, an 8-year-old in the STAR program, is a true testament to the positive impacts Dennis Tennis is having on the community. After attending the six-week program, Wynter drastically improved her tennis game, and her mother said her social skills, fitness, and confidence grew through the roof. While Dennis Tennis is teaching on court lessons, they are giving children life skills to carry in their everyday lives.
Dennis Tennis Serving Love has been a great addition to the NJTL network as they are making a sport which is known to be expensive, accessible for many families in South Florida and around the world. “We celebrate the ways we have enriched the lives of the youth we serve and look forward to growing our impact even more in the years to come,” Dennis and Brittany Quaye said. “Our passion for this work and out firm commitment to seeing our mission through is unwavering.”
