Black History Month at ITHF
In celebration of Black History Month throughout February the International Tennis Hall of Fame will offer digital content and virtual special events featuring the inspiring people and historic moments that comprise the history of Black tennis.
“The evolution and growth of tennis in the Black community is a significant piece of the story in the overall history of tennis. The International Tennis Hall of Fame has committed to a multi-faceted initiative to educate fans and shine a spotlight on Black tennis history through digital exhibits, events, new museum experiences to come, and shared content. Particularly during this Black History Month, we are pleased to be able to share this important content with tennis fans and audiences around the globe,” commented International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum Director Doug Stark.
Follow Along on SOCIAL
From stories of breaking the color barrier and triumphs on the tennis courts and beyond to inspiring tales that are TennisWorthy, throughout the month of February, the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s social media channels will serve up a thorough exploration of Black tennis history. Follow along all month as we share inspiring stories, photos, videos, and artifacts from the museum collection in honor of Black History Month.
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EXPLORE THE EXHIBIT
A comprehensive exploration of Black tennis history is showcased in the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s newly launched multimedia digital exhibit, Breaking The Barriers: The ATA and Black Tennis Pioneers. Displayed in a timeline format, the exhibit utilizes dynamic photography and first-person interviews to chronicle the struggles and evolution of more than 120 years of Black tennis history, and also features a concurrent timeline of African American history overall.
In addition to highlighting stories of celebrated African American Hall of Famers Arthur Ashe, Althea Gibson, and Dr. Robert Johnson, Breaking The Barriers also showcases some of the less widely known, but highly impactful, individuals and organizations who fought for opportunity and equality in tennis for Black people. This includes pioneers like Mary Ann “Mother” Seames, who was offering tennis lessons to Black children as early as 1906 and early champions like Ora Washington, an 8-time American Tennis Association national champion in the 1920s who also had a successful basketball career, and many more. The Breaking The Barriers timeline includes present-day stories as well, highlighting Serena and Venus Williams’ historic careers, as well as stars like Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka.
VIRTUAL SPEAKERS SERIES
Two online speaking programs hosted by the Hall of Fame in February will focus on the cultural impact of Black tennis on and off the tennis courts.
Black Tennis History in Rhode Island
On February 17, historians Robert Cvornyek and Keith Stokes will speak on the history of Black Tennis in Rhode Island, exploring how tennis occupied an important social and cultural space in building African American communities in Newport and Providence in the early 1900s. This presentation is supported by a Rhode Island Council for the Humanities major grant.
Althea Gibson and the History of Tennis
On February 24, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, Curator Damion Thomas will deliver a program the racial dynamics of Black tennis history as told through the life story of Hall of Famer Althea Gibson. Thomas is the Museum Curator of Sports for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Katrina Adams, immediate past President, Chairperson, and CEO of the United States Tennis Association will moderate this program.
Both programs will be hosted online at 7 pm ET and are free of charge, with donations accepted to support the ITHF’s mission to preserve and promote tennis history. Advance registration is required.
GET TO KNOW THE HALL OF FAMERS
Learn more about the lives and careers of these inspiring tennis greats.
RELATED ITEMS
Breaking the Barriers: The ATA and Black Tennis PioneersA new digital museum exhibit highlighting more than 120 years of Black tennis history in America.
International Tennis Hall of Fame to host Black History Month Virtual Speaker SeriesThe programs will spotlight the history of Black tennis and its cultural impact on and off the tennis courts.
