USTA Establishes Alliance with 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
June 11, 2009
*WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 11, 2009 – *The USTA announced today that as part of its overall diversity strategy, it has established an alliance with the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. (100 BMA), and its mentoring program, “Mentoring the 100 Way.” As one of the partnership offerings, the USTA will conduct a tennis clinic for 250 program mentees on June 13, 2:00-6:00pm, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The tennis clinic is one of many off-site activities the students will participate in during the 100 BMA annual national conference held in New York City this week.
Students from the mentoring program will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of tennis, including the QuickStart Tennis format, from USTA trained coaches and players. Students will also meet various VIP’s and dignitaries, such as the Honorable David Dinkins, the 106th Mayor of New York City and a USTA Board Member. Dinkins, also co-founder of 100 BMA, will welcome the students and share words of inspiration on center court of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Tennis is the fastest growing traditional sport in America and our goal is to make tennis the sport of choice for everyone,” said Lucy Garvin, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. “Our efforts to expand diversity initiatives through strategic alliances like with the 100 Black Men of America helps engage and enrich the lives of all people through the sport of tennis.”
“Aligning the USTA with key multicultural organizations and markets is a very important strategy for us,” said Kevin Clayton, Chief Diversity Officer, USTA. “100 Black Men of America is exactly the kind of organization we want to partner with to promote tennis to a more diverse audience. The tennis clinic will introduce students to another form of physical activity, and also serves to enhance their overall social experiences and lives.”
“The USTA and the 100 Black Men of America share common goals in enriching the lives of young adults nationwide,” said Albert E. Dotson, Jr. Esq., Chairman of the Board-100 Black Men of America, Inc. “This partnership strategically aligns our mutual legacies and uniquely enhances both organizations’ ability to give back to youth and make a positive impact in their lives on a daily basis.
One of the key elements of the USTA’s diversity strategy is to establish multicultural alliances to continue to grow the game of tennis in diverse markets. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), tennis is the fastest growing sport in America, with an increase in participation of 43 percent from 2000-2008. These alliances will help foster the growth of tennis in all communities at every level of play.