Diversity & Inclusion
A love of tennis unites us.
North Carolina Tennis is committed to diversity and inclusion in all of its relationships - players, volunteers, staff, and vendors. We embrace our diverse North Carolina community, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation or identity, socioeconomic status, religious and political beliefs, and physical abilities or attributes. By striving to invite and include all North Carolinians, we work to remove barriers and create opportunities so that the tennis population becomes a true reflection of all of North Carolina.
Diversity - The collective mixture of similarities and differences around race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, values, beliefs, experiences, backgrounds, preferences, and behaviors that makes each person unique.
Inclusion - Creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, and valued to fully participate and contribute to the organization's success.
Equity - The fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all, people, while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups within the procedures, processes, and systems.
Diversity & Inclusion Committee
George Anderson tenball46@bellsouth.net
Deborah Foster Smith deborahfostersmith@yahoo.com
Maranda Sears maranda@blakeneyclub.com
Paulette Evans epemalloy@gmail.com
Delia Escoto Graham deliaescoto6@icloud.com
Clincy Trammell ctrammell52@icloud.com
Nakisha Boulware Watts nakisha.watts@icloud.com
Sushil Ramchandani sushil.ramchandani@emergeortho.com
Keshia Green kgreen10@u.rochester.edu
Raven Johnson primary.rav.en@gmail.com
Belen Gomez-Jordana belenjordana@united-tennis.org
USTA National Diversity & Inclusion Resources
Diversity & Inclusion is integral to the USTA mission of promoting and developing the growth of tennis and has been a formal area of focus, with a team in place to lead our efforts, since 2004.
NC Tennis Foundation Grants
Junior Development Scholarships
Provides lower income and middle class families money to supplement travel and playing expenses. For more information or to apply click here.
New Program Grant
For new programs serving under-resourced participants, and/or new programs serving physically or intellectually challenged participants in NC that need further funding to grow and mature. For more information or to apply click here.
Summer Camp Scholarships
Available to juniors looking to attend a summer tennis camp. For more information or to apply click here.
USTA North Carolina Grants
Program Grant
Start-up or expansion of wheelchair, special populations, or NJTL instructional and match play programs. For more information or to apply click here.
Diversity & Inclusion Grant
Grants are to be used for special events or programs seeking to promote tennis to targeted audience. For more information or to apply click here.
USTA Southern Grants
Diversity Grant
To promote/develop tennis for underserved populations. For more information or to apply click here.
National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Grant
Funding to start or expand a National Junior Tennis & Learning Program or chapter. For more information or to apply click here.
Special Populations Tennis Grant
To promote/develop tennis opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For more information or to apply click here.
USTA National Grants
Diversity & Inclusion Grants
Offers financial support to: 1. Athletes of ethnic or diverse backgrounds. 2. High performance tennis programs that serve to develop players of ethnic or racially diverse backgrounds OR that serve low-income junior tennis players and enable them to use their tennis ability to secure a college education. For more information or to apply click here.
Competitive Travel Stipends for National Competition
Provide funding to a select group of competitive juniors from diverse ethnic backgrounds who aspire to improve their USTA national rankings and better position themselves for top tier Division I college scholarships. For more information or to apply click here.
D&I Essay Competition
Offers players an opportunity to receive funding for tennis equipment, training and/or travel expenses. For more information or to apply click here.
GLTA Sponsorship
The purpose of this grant is to promote tennis in the LGBT community through support of select GLTA tournaments. For more information or to apply click here.
Adaptive Tennis Grant
To assist in the initiation or implementation of adaptive tennis programs at the community level. For more information or to apply click here.
Facility Assistance Grants
For more information or to apply to all Facility Grants listed below please click here.
Technical Assistance
With industry leading experience in tennis court/facility construction, our technical team offers everything from concept plans to professional construction document review.
Business Development
The USTA can assist in negotiations with government agencies and private developers. The USTA can also provide guidance in regards to initial programming, operational planning, and staffing.
Facility Assistance
There are three categories: 1. Facility Improvements (windscreens, backboards, etc) 2. Court resurfacing 3. Court construction or reconstruction of existing courts.
Line Grants
For painting permanent 36' and 60' tennis lines on existing courts, paved areas, blacktops, playgrounds or gymnasiums. Click here to learn more about our 36' & 60' Court Resources.
Media/Technology Grant
To install live streaming and/or player analysis technology at varsity tennis facilities.
