tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10615225788513222412024-03-21T16:02:44.906-07:00black tennis newsUpdates on the inclusion of African Americans in tennis and the continued effort to break racial and cultural barriers in the sport and society.Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-31231311577535744702018-12-11T07:01:00.000-08:002018-12-11T07:01:50.685-08:00J. Donald Budge History Maker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokEpF9viST6DpCQnsCuYSy0YnAqPF2FxXfg41pjmmCKSyK6nxLm87osTMQ3MxicLkHPyBGn_95W-SDBN310nTO7knuTrdBNC2rG-iAHrSwrGJFtHC5Xe8IrOQr19efVJixe2W0_KAi0T6/s1600/B.chavis+and+Donald+Budge+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokEpF9viST6DpCQnsCuYSy0YnAqPF2FxXfg41pjmmCKSyK6nxLm87osTMQ3MxicLkHPyBGn_95W-SDBN310nTO7knuTrdBNC2rG-iAHrSwrGJFtHC5Xe8IrOQr19efVJixe2W0_KAi0T6/s320/B.chavis+and+Donald+Budge+2018.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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A few years ago before he died, I had the occasion to meet the great tennis champion J.Donald Budge at a tennis awards banquet. He was getting an award and I was receiving an award for the Black Tennis Foundation of Philadelphia Inc. During my remarks I spoke about his breaking racial barriers by playing an exhibition match in 1940 against Jimmie McDaniel at the Cosmopolitan Tennis Club in New York. The mecca of black tennis at that time. McDaniel was arguably the top negro player of that era.<br />
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Budge was the first man to win what is known today as the "Grand Slam" of tennis. The four major championship events Austrailian,, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year at the age of 23, becoming the first and youngest to do so. A record that still stands today. Budge won the match 6-1, 6-2. When I mentioned McDaniel playing him in my remarks, Budge shouted out "he was a hell of a player." Throughout history there have always been people willing to stand up for equal rights and humane treatment for all people.</div>
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This was truly one of the highlights of my long involvement in the sport of tennis.Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-4064308568299213342013-02-04T07:43:00.001-08:002013-02-04T07:54:51.883-08:00The USTA is not Color Blind<strong></strong><br />
<strong> As we enter Black History Month it is clear that we must remain vigilant in the continued quest for equality for people of color. This past September (2012) the USTA created another controversy when they suggested that world number one 16 year old Girls singles champion Taylor Townsend skip the US Open event for which she qualified for and work on conditioning. She is being trained under the USTA Player Development Program. </strong><br />
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<strong> Initially they said that If she did not withdraw from the event that they would not pay for her expenses. Her mother wold have none of this and came up with the expense money for her to compete in the tournament. She got to the quarter finals in singles and won the doubles event with her partner. How could she reach being number one without stamina and conditioning? Oh she happens to be African American. In a later statement after the tournament Patrick McEnroe, General Manager of the program issued a statement that this was not the case and USTA under Player Development would be picking up her expenses for the tournament. </strong><br />
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<strong> Having worked on the USTA Minority Participation Committee at its inception in the early 1990's now changed to Multicultural Participation Committee, I can identify with some of the archaic and out of date thinking of some long time entrenched closed minded people within the organization. As in other parts of society African Americans continue to be undervalued, underestimated and marginalized.</strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taylor Townsend</td></tr>
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<strong> Early in her career I remember an over weight and slow afoot Lindsay Davenport enjoying early success as Girl's Junior Champion. Their was no suggestion that she skip big tournaments because of her condition. In a competitive situation I thought the adage of "Survival of the fittest" determines the out come of competitive sports. Who determines if some one is fit? Does body type enter the picture on the Women's Pro Tour?</strong><br />
<strong> </strong>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-31471893369934394962013-01-26T09:27:00.001-08:002013-01-29T05:20:21.390-08:00New Crop of African American Tennis players invade Pro Tour<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloane Stephens</td></tr>
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A new crop of African American females have invaded the pro tennis tour. Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, and Taylor Townsend to name a few. Sloane Stephens just ended an incredible run at the season's first Gland Slam event, the 2013 Australian Open, where she won a quarter final match against a ailing and sub-par Serena Williams and lost in the semi finals to world number one Victoria Azarenka 6 - 1, 6- 4. Leading 5-4 in the second set Azarenka took a 10 minute injury time out leaving the court on Stephens turn to serve. Although allowed in the rules it was very suspect as it appeared that she was coming apart with nerves. Sloane learned her first lesson in gamesmanship. In a post match interview Azarenka admitted to a case of nerves and anxiety. Madison Keys made it to the second round in the same tournament, her first Grand Slam event.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison Keys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGyVL83XJVLtQuLEcFqcXRI2sD1MWXdVBnHrs8nKOILTgHmYjsAHuN_4XC6zTPcYKbz5S_nqSvyjYz5Sizc55i4SoL-kgC6Dpl1aRqAItu7h3Ylr0AIPYoB4n5O7EqsmOj3-c4SeWmwZB/s1600/Taylor+Townsend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGyVL83XJVLtQuLEcFqcXRI2sD1MWXdVBnHrs8nKOILTgHmYjsAHuN_4XC6zTPcYKbz5S_nqSvyjYz5Sizc55i4SoL-kgC6Dpl1aRqAItu7h3Ylr0AIPYoB4n5O7EqsmOj3-c4SeWmwZB/s200/Taylor+Townsend.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taylor Townsend</td></tr>
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Taylor Townsend just 16 years old is the number one female junior in the world. The future looks very bright on the female side. When will the male African Americans enter the scene? The last to show promise Donald Young seems to be in a serious funk after a disappointing 2012. Time is not on his side as he is now in his 20's and the window for success is closing.</div>
Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-39919104805526756052012-05-23T06:04:00.001-07:002012-05-23T06:04:29.779-07:00Little Known Black History Fact: Blacks Missing from 1940’s Census<a href="http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles%2Fnews%2Fthe_black_diaspora_news%2F40581#.T7zgMUBFGgk.blogger">Little Known Black History Fact: Blacks Missing from 1940’s Census</a>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-40993174620846070912012-04-01T08:37:00.000-07:002012-04-01T08:37:05.221-07:00Bernie Chavis Book Signing<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfqBUIgnGPtMK-15I9WwD0KSL-YpDk5rIoKmQJYtpzehJUL-L26O-IW30HYIVs95nyOPTJtuo20VDUFntdSRNjmiF5g0HO2y1evgI3WgM_iD3e4kK97gvuRbjFJO-Xnifuv6W_RZEm2L6/s1600/black+history+Showcase+flyer+jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfqBUIgnGPtMK-15I9WwD0KSL-YpDk5rIoKmQJYtpzehJUL-L26O-IW30HYIVs95nyOPTJtuo20VDUFntdSRNjmiF5g0HO2y1evgI3WgM_iD3e4kK97gvuRbjFJO-Xnifuv6W_RZEm2L6/s320/black+history+Showcase+flyer+jpeg.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
I will be attending the annual Black History & Culture Showcase Saturday and Sunday April 7-8,2012 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center 11: am to 7:00 pm both days.. This event <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">commemorates</span> and celebrates the African American <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">experience</span>. It offers living and past African American history from every walk of life in telling and showing the African American diaspora. I will be on hand to autograph copies of my book "The Games of Tennis" An African American Journey. This event attracts thousands annually. For additional information visit the website at <a href="http://www.blackhistoryshowcase.org/">www.blackhistoryshowcase.org</a> </div>
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</div>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-30579149413187579892011-08-23T17:30:00.000-07:002011-08-23T18:32:36.624-07:00The Black Tennis Foundation of Philadelphia, Inc. Donates Trophies to Yeadon Delaware Country, PA. Tennis Program<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJyZUyphEJAG_faNkmNwZi5PTH4aNlpmM-_k1Bvv_nQbW2m9byBsS9psmyaiwBdi8R2NtzwWcvsG6Y1E46uuh94EUbAlShuxrNuULCFs_63vk0ERO7-QizakJuvErfMm1-fsjcrGBuYmR/s1600/Yeadon+Trophy+Donation+One+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644228572329807714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJyZUyphEJAG_faNkmNwZi5PTH4aNlpmM-_k1Bvv_nQbW2m9byBsS9psmyaiwBdi8R2NtzwWcvsG6Y1E46uuh94EUbAlShuxrNuULCFs_63vk0ERO7-QizakJuvErfMm1-fsjcrGBuYmR/s200/Yeadon+Trophy+Donation+One+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div>Philadelphia, PA. - 08/15/2011 - Bernard A. Chavis, President/CEO of the Black Tennis Foundation, donates tennis trophies to Yeadon Borough Mayor Dolores Jones Butler on behalf of Corneilia "Sis" Penn, a long time player and supporter of the sport. Yeadon is in the process of planning to build a multi-purpose recreation facility. The USTA is one of the partnering organizations assisting with the project.</div>
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<br /><div>The site of the proposed facility is the old Yeadon Swim Club property. A summer tennis program for youth is being conducted on the two existing tennis courts by local instructor Jeffrey Harmon. Mayor Butler said, "the trophy donation is part of many positive efforts and gifts forthcoming by supporters of the project.</div>
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<br /><div>Kitty Perrin, USTA/MS Tennis Services Representative has also been supportive in offering tennis equipment and expertise for the USTA 10 and under tennis initiative. When completed the multi-purpose facility will serve surrounding communities including Lansdowne, Darby, and Alden. The facility will have a total of 12 tennis courts, 4 indoor and 8 outdoor courts and occupy part of the 6 acre tract that once housed the Yeadon Swim Club.</div></div>
<br />Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-42810794964092270192010-11-25T13:48:00.000-08:002010-11-25T13:48:17.879-08:00Free E-Book Offer<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W4iQ2cxZQ5o?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-15832639839355405132010-11-17T05:25:00.000-08:002013-02-13T04:59:04.794-08:00Tennis: A Social and Cultural Bridge Builder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHl1SvefPgAcs-2YOnbW_VkcGs3XWDmVB6d5kEnzcveJVMvcdmMRIxzFkSQGYSoH3MUuWI4DiTBq7cakAgt2EwsWe3LPqR4KbtUnk27p_jHWHPavCosZ8JZZClGCogo0W9XYD6k8ePmyF/s1600/yeadon+tenis+winter+snow-34.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540521908188869058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHl1SvefPgAcs-2YOnbW_VkcGs3XWDmVB6d5kEnzcveJVMvcdmMRIxzFkSQGYSoH3MUuWI4DiTBq7cakAgt2EwsWe3LPqR4KbtUnk27p_jHWHPavCosZ8JZZClGCogo0W9XYD6k8ePmyF/s320/yeadon+tenis+winter+snow-34.jpg" style="float: right; height: 169px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 197px;" /></a><br />
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The Borough of Yeadon Delaware County, PA is a small ever evolving diverse community suburb of the city of Philadelphia, Pa. It wasn’t always that way. In the late<br />
1950’s and early 1960’s the community was partially segregated. Black people who applied for membership to the All White Yeadon Swim Club were denied membership. The constant denials lead to a group of local business people and residents to come together and form the Nile Swim club.<br />
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The venture became the first owned and operated Black swim club in the United States at the time, gaining much notoriety and news headlines around the country. It was a thriving entity for many, many years. It survives barely in today’s struggling economy. On the other hand the former All White Yeadon Swim Club is now defunct having fallen on hard times and a depressed economy.<br />
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This six acre property was purchased by the Borough a few years ago for back taxes. In its day it had an Olympic sized swimming pool, club house picnic grounds and two tennis courts. Enter Jeffrey Harmon a Yeadon resident from Liberia Africa and a Tennis instructor who is also the founder for the Community Integration Program in Yeadon.<br />
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The Borough has a sizable African and African American population. Over the year’s friction because of cultural differences built up. Mr. Harmon thought that tennis might be a way to ease tensions and begin a dialog of understanding. He hoped to use the Community Integration Program as a vehicle to bring the two groups together.<br />
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He contacted Mr. Roy Hunter the Recreation Manager for the Borough and requested to use the two decaying and unused tennis courts at the Yeadon Swim Club property to bring the sport of tennis to the youth in the community. Mr. Hunter indicated that the sport of tennis had not been visible in this suburban community for a number of years. Hunter remembered a discussion he had with me after my book signing of “The Games of Tennis” An African American Journey at the Yeadon Library in March, 2010, where I indicated that I had some tennis resources to help with the project through the Black Tennis Foundation of Philadelphia, Inc.<br />
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I contacted Kitty Perrin a Tennis Services Representative for the USTA/Middle States Tennis Association. Together we planned a USTA Tennis “Block Party” for May 22,<br />
2010. The Black Tennis Foundation furnished free tennis racquets. T-Shirts and Tennis Caps USTA offered “Quick Start” tennis short courts and wrist bands. The Yeadon Recreation Department contributed bottled water, the facility at the Yeadon Swim Club property and the circulation of flyers at key locations in the community of the upcoming event.<br />
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The event was a smashing success. Those attending included a mixture up African and African American parents and youth. The two groups mingled freely, communicated and started an informal dialog that is the start of bridging and understanding of the different cultures and backgrounds. The Mayor of Yeadon Borough, Dolores Jones Butler a forward thinking individual learned of Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the US Open Tennis Championships in New York and initiated a bus trip for the youth that participated in the Tennis “Block Party.”<br />
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The youth and the Mayor along with some of the parents and tennis instructor Jeffery Harmon made the trip and had the wonderful experience of seeing this event. Louis Bolling, a Yeadon resident who resided in South Africa for a number of years, held tennis clinics for youth on the Nile Swim Clubs two tennis courts during the summer in conjunction with the programs that were held at the old Yeadon Swim Club property.<br />
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Mayor Butler, with the unanimous approval of the Borough Council is now planning to use part of the old Yeadon Swim Club tract to reconstruct the tennis courts and refurbish the club house with the help of the USTA, who has a program to assist communities who are promoting the sport of tennis. The benefits of playing the sport of tennis often reach beyond the physical aspects of the sport.<br />
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(see photo show)<a href="http://www.photoshow.com/watch/BJ2ce3iA"></a></div>
Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-23750687284671765642010-06-15T08:10:00.000-07:002010-06-15T08:26:46.608-07:00McEnroe"s Bold move the save American Tennis<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjE-VV8kS-nztHt-9F_UcH0HzHPVUEw4G6DvkA9uGix4hUnbNv14BPeYhxDYnYAkqygmNcRpzghwxEdbsjZ3tIYvzlSZ3HoT1L0PIm21MaMaiJ9rn5BOqqHX7dlEThGwOsaFivYxDIgpB/s1600/McEnroe+Photo.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 94px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 94px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483021562271455746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjE-VV8kS-nztHt-9F_UcH0HzHPVUEw4G6DvkA9uGix4hUnbNv14BPeYhxDYnYAkqygmNcRpzghwxEdbsjZ3tIYvzlSZ3HoT1L0PIm21MaMaiJ9rn5BOqqHX7dlEThGwOsaFivYxDIgpB/s320/McEnroe+Photo.bmp" /></a><br /><br />Kudos to John McEnroe for taking a very bold step to revive American tennis. He recently opened an $18 million dollar 20 court tennis facility on Randall’s island in New York. The most successful player in US Davis Cup history was always ready and willing to represent his country in Davis Cup play. The passion he displayed on the tennis courts is matched by his commitment to bring the US back to its rightful place of prominence in this sport for a life time. His passion for this country and tennis is unquestionable. Unlike many who talk a good game and do nothing McEnroe has put his money where his mouth is.<br /><br />I share his long standing frustration to get the USTA, (the governing body of tennis in the US by an act of congress) to construct and put into effect a well thought out and systematic agenda to bring the United States back into the forefront and develop the next generation of players to carry on the great tradition of American tennis. With the exception of Venus and Serena Williams and perhaps Andy Roddick and James Blake the US program has fallen on hard times. Where are the current likes of the caliber of past top players such as Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Jimmy Connors and Arthur Ashe. There is no question that the USTA has the resources and money for this. When I last checked Donald Young a 21 year old African American who had a sensational junior tennis record has been relegated to playing on the pro satellite tour. What ever happened to Lavar Harper Griffith who would now be about another African American player of a few years ago who showed promise? When I checked a few years ago he was relegated to being a practice player of the US Davis Cup team.<br /><br />It will be interesting to see if the USTA will find a way to partner with John McEnroe on this project. His younger brother Patrick is the USTA’s General Manager of Player Development. A very interesting situation, John the outspoken innovator and Patrick the company man. In a resent article in Sports Illustrated (May 31, 2010), when asked if he hoped to work with Patrick he said, “He hasn’t called to congratulate me. I don’t know what that means.” With an annual operating budget exceeding $200 million and top notch training facilities it should be a no brainer. Enter internal politics and unwise financial deals and you may have hit on the problem. An article in the New York Times newspaper (Nov. 24, 2009) revealed that the USTA paid former Chief Executive of Professional Tennis, Arlen Kantarian more that $9 million in 2008.<br /><br />The USTA Player Development Program has undergone many transformations over the years while having very little to show for players developed and money spent. A few years ago as National President of the American Tennis Association I had the opportunity of being a member the USTA Plan for Growth Steering Committee. The organization had committed to spending $35 million to grow the game. I was the only African American on the committee of about 18 that included tennis legend Billie Jean King. I offered that the growth of the game lies in the urban inner city areas of the country. This is where the majority of the population lives. My comments were ignored. This remains true today. This is not rocket science.<br />Maybe that is the problem with the USTA hierarchy is makes to much sense. Let’s hope that the current situation and John McEnroe’s bold initiative move wakes up the establishment.<br /><br />Let’s not forget the issue of racial diversity an open sore in the organization that continues to be an issue. Racial exclusion is a well documented fact in the USTA’s past. History was made with the election of the first African American President, but many areas of society still lag behind in leveling the playing field. Shortly after being appointed to his position as General Manager of Men’s Tennis for the USTA, Patrick McEnroe fired Rodney Harmon an African American long time employee who held past positions as Director of Men’s Tennis, Olympic Men’s Tennis Coach, And Director of Minority Participation. For an organization that is trying live down a past history of racial discrimination the record is not promising. Zina Garrison was fired as Fed Cup Captain and filed a racial discrimination suit against the USTA and settled out of court. Cecil Holland and Sande French two high quality tennis officials filled a racial discrimination suite and settled out of court. Leslie Allen a former tour pro player and Magna Cum Laude graduate of USC was let go as Fed Cup Chair. USTA’s first Chief Diversity Officer, Karlyn Lothery left after two years on the job. Not only does the organization have a major problem with player development but racial diversity continues to be a major issue.<br /><br /><br />.Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-39123817980526389482009-08-28T14:47:00.000-07:002009-08-28T16:45:27.584-07:00Arthur Ashe to be Enshrined in Wall of Champions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOnIQ8XGNpRMQqJiQUXapZ52on8akh7wERBztUXCQ5IkhgZS31LdH0mHxoIROMJJvpGPxke9jIMz2huumNR9nF-Xgbv68CIYT8DX1zbeTP_aWldQF9lQ3eF1MMzjUvmJMPvadd-5y0Ei1/s1600-h/arthur+ashe+Photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375164010650636290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOnIQ8XGNpRMQqJiQUXapZ52on8akh7wERBztUXCQ5IkhgZS31LdH0mHxoIROMJJvpGPxke9jIMz2huumNR9nF-Xgbv68CIYT8DX1zbeTP_aWldQF9lQ3eF1MMzjUvmJMPvadd-5y0Ei1/s320/arthur+ashe+Photo.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>The late tennis great and humanitarian <strong><em>Arthur Ashe</em></strong> will be enshrined in the "Wall of Champions" at this year's US Open Championships. The wall of Champions is located on the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, NY. He was just as noted for his off court humanitarian activities as his on court activities. He is also the first winner of the US Open tournament when it combined amateur's and pros together in 1968.</div><br /><div></div><div>Ashe was an individual of immence dignity and class, who walked softly but was hugely successful in making changes and bringing racial diversity to the game of tennis. He co-founded the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) with the late Gene Scott and Charlie Pasarell. The event this year runs from August 31st to September 13th., featuring Men's defendig Champion Roger Federer and Women's defending Champion Serena Williams. </div>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-49998940279099272862009-05-27T07:51:00.000-07:002009-05-27T15:52:31.332-07:00Tennis Racial Progress Delayed?<strong><em>"Lest We Forget"</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />As we celebrate the election of the first African American and 44Th. President of the United States, <strong><em>Barack Obama</em></strong>, we have to be mindful that racial barriers and discrimination has not ended. We must be ever vigilant. In the tennis arena some recent events within the USTA come to mind. <strong><em>Zina Garrison</em></strong> has been fired as the Fed Cup captain, and has filed a racial discrimination suit against the organization. <strong><em>Rodney Harmon</em></strong> a long time many position loyal employee and recent USA Olympic tennis coach was fired shortly after returning from the Beijing games. In 2005 two African American tennis umpires, <strong><em>Cecil Holland</em> </strong>and <strong><em>Sande</em> <em>French</em> </strong>both highly qualified long time officials filed a multimillion dollar racial discrimination law suit against the USTA. The organization hired its first ever <strong><em>Chief Diversity Officer, Karlyn Lothery </em></strong>in 2005. She vacated the position in late 2008. Is there is pattern here?<br /><br />All of this is very interesting and eye opening in light of the organization's tier one priority of <strong><em>Multicultural Participation</em>. </strong>This initiative was started in 1991, as the <strong><em>Minority</em> <em>Participation</em></strong> program, in an effort to get people of color fully integrated within the organization, and has had at best mixed results to this point. The history of the organization reveals that for the first 69 years of operation African Americans and Chinese Americans were barred from participating in the sport of tennis and any other position within the entity. In 1950 with steady pressure from white players, the media and other civic groups <strong><em>Althea Gibson</em> </strong>gained entry to a United States Lawn Tennis (USLTA) tournament. The organization has long since shortened the name to <strong><em>United State Tennis Association</em>.</strong> The late great player and humanitarian <strong><em>Arthur Ashe</em></strong> made his impact some years after Ms. Gibson's. You should also know that the <strong><em>USTA</em></strong> as it is now known, was by an act of congress deemed the governing body of tennis in the United States some years ago.<br /><br /><strong><em>"Don't fall asleep at the switch"</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Don't get side tracked by the on court success of the <strong><em>Williams sisters, Venus and Serena</em>. </strong>These beautiful, articulate, and talented young ladies are revolutionizing the player side of the game. The player side of tennis is but one of the many sides of the huge tennis arena.. The sport of tennis is a business, make no mistake about it. As in many businesses it is multifaceted. The administrative side of the USTA has an annual operating budget in the <strong><em>$200,000,000</em> </strong>range. The organization uses many vendor services, some of which could be contracted for by people of color. I'll answer the question you're thinking right now by stating that we are not getting a fair share piece of the pie. the small group of professional players that you see on TV make up less than <strong>1%</strong> of the people playing tennis in the Untied States. The organization has over <strong><em>700,000</em> </strong>members. Many of these members participate in organized tennis leagues annually sponsored by the <strong>(USTA) </strong>all over the country. The season ends with district and sectional play-offs leading to national championship events in places like Arizona, Texas, and California to name a few. Don't get me wrong the organization does many things to encourage participation, but the playing field is not level in terms of equal opportunities for people of color throughout the organizations structure. Tennis is a microcosm of society as a whole and is experiencing pressure to change and embrace the total diversity of people as reflected by the make up of the many ethnicity's and cultures that is the very fabric of this great country. Does this make sense? After all isn't this the American way? Equal opportunity for all.<br /><br />Bernard A. Chavis, <em>Author</em><br /><em>"The Games of Tennis" An African American Journey</em><br /><strong><em></em></strong>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-30149757614343290492009-05-07T15:55:00.000-07:002009-05-07T16:32:05.991-07:00Bernie Chavis donates book to Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center Library<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-rFxSWAjl_xeVoEb4soVBlAvMLLj8KyIAnmtatyY7UuLEM68ebzHG54UnckKQChsm2t7zXIieObo1OlTx6BjdOuCsMx64fQY2PgKmYZZuD7RsZXdJGGpcvSnTshGo3wYqPwrAjX2Z7eh/s1600-h/IMG_0416_opt+Bernie,+kenny+Holdsman+Ashe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333223888151835810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-rFxSWAjl_xeVoEb4soVBlAvMLLj8KyIAnmtatyY7UuLEM68ebzHG54UnckKQChsm2t7zXIieObo1OlTx6BjdOuCsMx64fQY2PgKmYZZuD7RsZXdJGGpcvSnTshGo3wYqPwrAjX2Z7eh/s320/IMG_0416_opt+Bernie,+kenny+Holdsman+Ashe.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bernie Chavis visited the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center on Monday May 4th. and met with new President Kenny Holdsman. They discussed the arrangements for the 4th. annual Black Tennis Foundation of Philadelphia, Inc. USTA sanctioned Inner-City Tennis Classic. This is a multicultural tournament where youngsters of all ethnic backgrounds enter. While there Bernie presented Kenny with two copies of his book "The Games of Tennis" An African American Journey for the center's library.</div>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-68612529362887494352009-05-07T14:26:00.000-07:002009-05-07T15:41:51.076-07:00Traci Green Makes Tennis History<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnswDLuPLrQN4DUwpbH4X4paUZJuSm5yvqVouuIHMxpXst8CKpCLsoZnZtKB-UE7BdUoISriU0rB9bH3XAvUwXEtuCEHHzdvDeWCB59M92lhznQm3WSXRVBP3sEbenfKAEwOsadeTVQiJN/s1600-h/Green_Traci_200X314_opt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333214486694697154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnswDLuPLrQN4DUwpbH4X4paUZJuSm5yvqVouuIHMxpXst8CKpCLsoZnZtKB-UE7BdUoISriU0rB9bH3XAvUwXEtuCEHHzdvDeWCB59M92lhznQm3WSXRVBP3sEbenfKAEwOsadeTVQiJN/s320/Green_Traci_200X314_opt.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Traci Green is a home grown Philadelphian who is doing outstanding things in the tennis world. After graduating college, she began her college coaching career at Temple University as head Coach of the varsity women's tennis team. Her workman like presence and status immediately elevated the program. After three years at Temple she landed the historic position as the first African American tennis coach at the prestigious <strong>Harvard University.</strong><br /><br />She made history this past season by her team's winning the <strong>Ivy League women's tennis championships. </strong>We are so very proud of her and her success. Her success is no accident. With parents Frank, Sr. and Tina her current successes come from nurturing parents who made sure thought out the formative years that a sound foundation for success was paramount.<br /><br />Stay tuned, you will be hearing more from this outstanding young lady. By the way she has a younger brother Frank, Jr., who recently graduated college and is a teaching tennis professional in the area. These two outstanding young people are examples of what can be done when you have parents who are willing to go the extra mile to make sure their youngsters are not short changed and prepared for opportunity when it knocks.</div>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061522578851322241.post-5768629894348466962009-03-14T15:56:00.000-07:002009-05-07T15:54:05.453-07:00Induction Ceremony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvpna2kpQag6ddcHI5ixKvob6wYOkB5MIxMRz3qDAXdR3QOMd9nr7WcBu9D3xWMWkx-7EzOV_ScV9JT882Jc0bUe3dRShROsjhyI6DO-z62uFQ3aPQ38heoLc4ZIgyXyGzou9z5-71jj5/s1600-h/Robert_Walter_Johnson.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333219082425622674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 263px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvpna2kpQag6ddcHI5ixKvob6wYOkB5MIxMRz3qDAXdR3QOMd9nr7WcBu9D3xWMWkx-7EzOV_ScV9JT882Jc0bUe3dRShROsjhyI6DO-z62uFQ3aPQ38heoLc4ZIgyXyGzou9z5-71jj5/s320/Robert_Walter_Johnson.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The Godfather of African American tennis <strong>Dr. Robert "Whirlwind" Johnson</strong> will be inducted into the <strong>International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday July 11, 2009.</strong> This long over due honor will finally come to pass after many years of trying to have his accomplishments internationally recognized. He is responsible for launching the careers of <strong>Althea Gibson</strong> and <strong>Arthur Ashe</strong> and many others.<br /><br />I am pleased to announce that I will be personally autographing my book <strong>"The Games of Tennis" An African American Journey at the event Friday July 10Th from 11:00am to 12:30pm.</strong> Dr. Johnson ran the very successful <strong>American Tennis Association (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ATA</span>)</strong> Junior Development Program that developed the above mentioned great players and helped break racial barriers for these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pioneering</span> African American players. I am asking all of the tennis community and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">especially</span> the members of the American Tennis Association to be on hand and in person for this historic <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">occasion</span>. All of the pertinent information can be viewed by clicking the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tennisfame.com/ithof.aspx?pgID=1037">Induction Ceremony</a></div>Bernie Chavishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15886582662991098700noreply@blogger.com0