NYC-based coach launches Black History Month Anti-Racism Tennis Initiative

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Think global, act local.” New York City-based tennis coach Lendale Johnson has brought it to life this month by creating and running the Black History Month Anti-Racism Tennis Initiative.

Johnson’s effort began on Saturday, February 11 and runs through Sunday, February 26. Every afternoon, Johnson conducts a series of events that combine on-court instruction with dialogue about how to combat racism.

“I feel like now is the time to do this and every day is a great day,” said the 36-year-old.

Priced at $322.07 for five one-hour sessions, these events take place at Alley Pond Tennis Passport, an indoor facility in Queens located nine miles southeast of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Ten percent of the proceeds from Johnson’s program will benefit the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP). According to the AVP mission statement, “AVP empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy.”

Johnson is also partnered with Change the NYPD, a program that is part of an initiative called Communities United for Police Reform, which, as written on its website, seeks “to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, bringing together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change.”

Johnson has been coaching tennis for a decade. “I’ve been very fortunate and blessed enough to play tennis in a time period where I’m able to play this beautiful sport that I love and use tennis as my podium to change the world,” he says.

According to Kelly Sykes, a coach based in Alexandria, Va. who has worked with Johnson for years, “Lendale is trying anything and everything to give life to the color conversation in tennis. He is a community builder.”

Johnson first came to love tennis while growing up in Kalamazoo, Mich.—a tennis-rich city largely due to it hosting the USTA Boys’ 18s and 16s National Championships for 80 years. He credits a fellow Kalamazoo resident, Jimmy Gleason, with greatly improving his game.

Gleason, now working out of Southern California, has long been impressed by Johnson’s strong work ethic and vision.

“Lendale’s always learning and growing and trying to take it to the next level,” said Gleason. “He brings attention to tennis and issues. He’s an entrepreneur. He’s using his gifts in a creative way to make a difference in the world.”

Information on how to participate and/or donate to Johnson’s initiative can be found at here.