In December of 2021, Kimberly and I were discussing our shared dream of wanting to own and design hotels over lunch. Before taking a sip of my drink, she referenced an Instagram video I posted of me playing tennis on vacation. “I didn’t know you play PLAY?! We should start a Black girl's tennis club!” Kimberly said. I was so excited thinking about how it felt being the only Black girl on the tennis court most of my life. Also, I’m not going to lie; thinking about how amazing the merch and events would be got me super excited, too! From that day on, we went through 5 different logos, numerous video calls and meetings, several different color palettes, and paperwork, and we became an official 501(c)(3) in March 2022. This proved worth it after our first successful clinic in April 2022! Now, we are growing our membership, team, locations, and initiatives. With your help, we know this organization will introduce so many Black women and girls to a lifelong sport I love!
Love,
How It All Started
How It All Started
Virginia Thornton, Co-Founder
About Us
JOY EQUITY AND RADICAL WELLNESS are at the forefront of everything we do. We utilize our platform to inform, encourage, motivate, and change the narrative. Liberation through sports and play is a significant concept that can transform communities. Our efforts support economic development, local tourism, family preservation, legacy, and generational abundance.
At BGTC, we provide the following experiences:
Clinics for girls ages 8-18 up to 14 hours of free tennis instruction
Enrichment Curriculum facilitated at weekly clinics
Tennis Exhibitions, events, and activations–locally, nationally, and globally
Self Love Tennis Club and Cardio Tennis Classes for adults
Advocacy work
Data and research
We focus on four key pillars to bring our mission into reality:
CULTURE CHANGE
We envision a culture where players of all backgrounds feel welcome to bring their full selves, embrace their unique styles, and break away from traditional norms in tennis that often exclude or limit people of color. We are shifting attitudes around what’s appropriate in tennis culture. For us, culture change is about challenging stereotypes, celebrating diverse expressions, and creating an environment that fosters authenticity and joy.
ACCESS
Working with local governments to assess public access to courts and tennis programming. Improving tennis conditions. Creating opportunities locally, nationally and globally for Black women and girls to see and participate in tennis and tennis-related activities.
REPRESENTATION
Representation on and off the court, in decision-making rooms and the places and spaces that dictate tennis culture. Amplifying Black women and girls narratives in tennis.
EXPOSURE
Introducing tennis as a source of health and wellness, opportunities, community, recreational play and joy for all ages. Exposure to the idea of hobbies as necessary and a lifestyle centered around community and radical wellness through individual liberation.