Kids N' Tennis full length documentary
About Kids N’ Tennis, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Kids N’ Tennis, Inc. was created to deliver high-quality tennis instruction to youth who typically lacked access—focusing initially on children of color and expanding over time to include anyone interested in the sport.
Our Impact
Programs & Services
Kids N’ Tennis, Inc. remains steadfast in its mission to provide opportunities and growth for young tennis players from diverse backgrounds. The organization fosters both personal and athletic development, creating an environment where every child can pursue tennis while building essential life skills. Through ongoing dedication and strong community support, Kids N’ Tennis works to ensure the sport is accessible to all—breaking down financial and social barriers that can limit participation. By empowering youth to reach their full potential on and off the court, the organization carries forward the legacy of its founding vision, continually evolving to meet the changing needs of the community it serves.
Our Impact
- Over three decades of continuous community service in the Portland Metropolitan Area.
- More than thousands of children introduced to tennis through afterschool programs, summer camps, and school assemblies.
- A commitment to affordability, providing free and reduced-cost instruction so financial barriers never limit participation.
- Pathways to employment for youth through our Mentorship and Internship programs, including support for Professional Tennis Certification.
- Strong partnerships with the Professional Tennis Registry, USTA Foundation, USTA/PNW, and Portland Parks & Recreation.
Programs & Services
- Afterschool Tennis at Portland Public Schools and community centers.
- Camps & Clinics during winter, spring, and summer breaks.
- School Outreach Assemblies introducing tennis to new audiences.
- Mentorship and Internship programs leading to paid employment.
- Prioritize diversity, inclusion, and sustainability in inner-city youth tennis programs. Promote diversity, inclusion, and sustainability in inner-city tennis programs.
- Maintain a core focus on African American youth while expanding outreach to all underserved communities.
- Keep tennis accessible through free and reduced-cost lessons at the Portland Tennis Center, PPS Afterschool programs, and Irving Park Summer Camp.
- Use tennis as a tool for teaching educational, social, and life skills equally to boys and girls.
- Emphasize fundamentals, character development, and good sportsmanship.
- Pathways to employment for youth through our Mentorship and Internship programs, including support for Professional Tennis Certification. Train and certify youth coaches, creating a pipeline for tennis industry careers.
Kids N’ Tennis, Inc. remains steadfast in its mission to provide opportunities and growth for young tennis players from diverse backgrounds. The organization fosters both personal and athletic development, creating an environment where every child can pursue tennis while building essential life skills. Through ongoing dedication and strong community support, Kids N’ Tennis works to ensure the sport is accessible to all—breaking down financial and social barriers that can limit participation. By empowering youth to reach their full potential on and off the court, the organization carries forward the legacy of its founding vision, continually evolving to meet the changing needs of the community it serves.
Visual History
History
Kids N’ Tennis, Inc. was founded in 1987 by Don Johnson and Andre St. James. Both men noticed that very few children of color were playing tennis. They agreed to start a summer tennis camp in Northeast Portland to address the community need. Irving Park was selected for the first camp because of its location to Portland’s predominately African American community. The camp was successful and at its conclusion quite a few children wanted to continue their lessons. Johnson and St. James began purchasing court time at the Portland Tennis Center.
After a couple of years and learning more about the United States Tennis Association its mission and programs, Don and Andre with the help of the USTA/PNW and other community leaders decided to form a Community Tennis Association in 1989. Within two years it became apparent that for Kids N’ Tennis to continue its work, a non-profit status was needed. In 1992, Kids N’ Tennis received its 501 (c) (3) status.
After successfully achieving the goal of teaching tennis to ethnic populations who were often unable to play tennis because of a lack of money, Kids N’ Tennis broadened its outreach and evolved into a multicultural/ethnically diverse tennis program. Over the past thirty-five years Kids N’ Tennis, Inc. has taught tennis to more than 2,000 children. Graduates from Kids N’ Tennis include Portland area tennis teaching professionals and numerous college graduates.
Kids N’ Tennis, Inc. is open to any children who are interested in learning how to play tennis and could benefit from an excellent coaching staff of Certified Tennis Teaching Professionals. Kids can attend our free summer camps at Irving Park or participate in year-round lessons at the Portland Tennis Center. Advanced players are encouraged to enroll in our junior development tennis academy by contacting Coach Johnson at [email protected] or Coach Michael Navarro at [email protected]
Kids N’ Tennis works in partnership with many community, regional and national organizations including the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the United States Professional Tennis Registry (USPTR), Portland Parks & Recreation, local schools, businesses and other agencies to promote the sport of tennis, health and nutrition, and education. The program has rallied tennis enthusiasts of all ages to assist in promoting tennis, in helping mentor kids to improve their educational endeavors, to provide first-class community service, to encourage health and fitness while providing a safe and positive environment for kids to build confidence and self-esteem.