At the ninth annual benefit of the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF) last week, the foundation’s mission to empower and inspire the lives of young people from underserved communities through the sport of gymnastics was evident.
Collegiate gymnast Kyrstin Johnson, whose floor routine set to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” went viral, was in attendance at the event, which was held at the New York Athletic Club. Johnson competed for Temple University this season after Talladega College (an HBCU school) ended its gymnastics program. “Coming from an HBCU, I still wanted to bring the HBCU with me,” she said. “Going out there and being yourself is the most important thing.”
Roshelle Wickham, mother of Rylee McCullough, a Level 4 artistic gymnast, said her daughter is a dedicated gymnast who has found her passion through the WHGF. “I love that it’s opening doors for her,” said Wickham.
Amanda Malace, mother of Elizabeth Malace, said her daughter has been training with the foundation since 2019 and will soon compete at the national level. “She loves that she’s able to be her true self. She fell in love with gymnastics and wants to go as far as she can with it,” said Malace.
Lois Elfman photos
From left to right, WHGF board of directors member Herbie Berger, Wendy Hilliard, collegiate gymnastics sensation Kyrstin Johnson and one of evening’s honorees, Michael Tiedemann. 
Former WHGF participants, now coaches (l–r) Ida Lowe, Alexis Page, and Asta Lowe. 
WHGF tumblers (l–r) ZaQuae Carter, Bailey Mensah, and Ty’La Morris.
Some present and former WHGF tumblers, an emerging sport, were on hand. Bailey Mensah said that tumbling allows for creativity. ZaQuae Carter said he appreciates seeing younger athletes take up the sport. “It gives me happiness,” said Carter, who has seen considerable competitive success. Ty’La Morris, who has been tumbling for seven years, said it “gives me a challenge every single day.”
Nick Brown, a coach with WHGF for two years, said he relishes the opportunity to help program participants not only get better at gymnastics but also to embrace their own personalities. “These are underserved Black and Brown children, who don’t really get exposed to stuff like this, so to be able to give them a space to exercise that and grow with each other is special,” said Brown, who incorporates acting exercises he learned in college in the training.
Athletes and their supporters weren’t the only ones to receive recognition at the event. Christopher Harris, outgoing chair of WHGF, received the WHGF Hero Award. Michael Tiedemann, CEO of AlTi Tiedemann Global and chair of the River Fund, received the inaugural Simone Biles Give Back Award. The Harlem Community Development Corporation was honored with the Community Impact Award.