Monday evening, May 11, was an energized and exciting gala for Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP), founded in 1972 by two Harlem residents and tennis enthusiasts, Claude Cargill and Bill Brown. Today, it combines tennis with education and wellness programming, serving kids aged five to 18.
High school senior Bintu Dramé has been part of HJTEP since she was seven. “This program has been a place that I feel like is my second home,” said Dramé, who will play collegiate tennis at Division II Post University and major in finance. “It’s helped me grow into the new chapter of my life. I feel the mentors and the coaches really help you get ready for real life experiences, especially the tutoring and volunteering.”
Leila Grey has been with HJTEP for nine years. “You can see all our teammates and all our coaches really care for the students,” said Grey, a high school senior who will attend Howard University. “They teach a lot of discipline, focus, team-building, and cooperation.”
President/executive director Katrina Adams serves multiple roles in the tennis world, including television commentator, but her position with HJTEP is close to her heart. “I’m from the West Side of Chicago, so I come from humble beginnings and I know what this sport can do for individuals: the life skills that you learn, the people that you meet, and the mentors that come into your pathway,” said Adams. “For me, it’s about reaching back and pulling forward. … I wear a lot of hats, but this is home.”
The evening’s Shining Star Award recipient, Joakim Noah, was an NBA All-Star but has a deep connection to HJTEP and the sport of tennis. His father is French tennis icon Yannick Noah, the only African player (his father was from Cameroon) to win a Grand Prix tournament.
“I’m a third-generation athlete — Grandpa played soccer, Dad played tennis — and for me growing up around a professional tennis player allowed me to understand what it means to be a pro,” said Noah, now a philanthropist.
“It’s not just playing the game; it’s the practice, it’s a mindset, it’s believing in yourself. It’s dreaming and how far you’re willing to push yourself. Tennis is a special sport because, whether you make it at the highest level or not, there are values that the sport gives you.”
The Corporate Award was presented to Parkway Ventures and accepted by Jesse Coors-Blankenship and Gregg Hill.