hezekiyah baylor 10/16/25 hezekiyah baylor 10/16/25

We are in the news! Channel 12 with Sarah Chakales

… Local tennis organizations are pushing to build a multi-million-dollar indoor tennis facility near Richmond’s Byrd Park courts, despite facing pushback from some residents and members of the Richmond City Public School Board …

https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/10/15/richmond-tennis-groups-propose-multi-million-dollar-indoor-facility-near-byrd-park/

hezekiyah baylor 9/21/25 hezekiyah baylor 9/21/25

Black Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee Ceremony

It all begins with an idea.

Celebrating Legacy and Excellence: The 2025 Black Tennis Hall of Fame Inaugural Event

On September 21, 2025, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond, Virginia, was filled with pride, elegance, and history as the Black Tennis Hall of Fame hosted its inaugural induction ceremony. This momentous event brought together players, pioneers, and advocates whose work has shaped generations of athletes and strengthened the legacy of Black excellence in tennis. Under the leadership of President and CEO Shelia Curry, the evening highlighted the Hall’s mission to preserve, honor, respect, and remember the countless individuals who have broken racial barriers and advanced the sport through courage, skill, and community impact.

The Class of 2025 embodied this spirit of perseverance and achievement. Honorees included trailblazers such as E. Lilyan Spencer, a pioneering educator and champion who transformed youth athletics in Florida; Traci Green, Harvard Women’s Tennis head coach and advocate for equity in sports; Mashona Washington, celebrated WTA player and philanthropist; Dan Santorum, founder of the ACE Program that diversified the coaching ranks; Junius Chatman, a competitive force and tennis mentor; and Donald E. Widener, a U.S. Navy veteran and community leader who continues to inspire through his lifelong dedication to youth tennis. Each inductee’s story reflected the Hall’s enduring commitment to both athletic excellence and social progress.

Beyond the awards and speeches, the evening represented something greater — a powerful reminder that the story of tennis is also a story of resilience, innovation, and cultural pride. With heartfelt tributes from Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, founder of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, and community leaders like David Harris Jr., the event honored those who not only excelled on the court but also used tennis as a platform for justice and opportunity. As the crowd toasted the inductees during the champagne celebration, the message was clear: Black tennis history is not just being remembered — it’s being written anew in Richmond and beyond.

hezekiyah baylor 8/16/25 hezekiyah baylor 8/16/25

We are in the News- Read about it in the Richmonder

A group’s request to build an indoor tennis complex on land owned by Richmond Public Schools is unlikely to move forward, some school board members indicated last week.

Members of the board’s Vacant Property Committee met to discuss an offer from Second Serve RVA, a newly created tennis group, to build a $15-20 million, eight-court indoor tennis complex near Byrd Park, as well as refurbish the tennis courts at nine public schools. The offer received initial skepticism from nearly the entire board during the July school board meeting.

https://www.richmonder.org/rps-leaning-towards-no-on-tennis-groups-proposal/