Tina McCall-Waters is making a difference in the historic town of Eatonville, FL, one of the nation’s first self-governing, all-Black municipalities.
Working with the Denton Johnson Tennis Corporation (DJTC), Tina McCall-Waters is committed to uplifting at-risk and minority youth. There are good reasons, too. At one local elementary school, 83% of the 250 students come from families that receive free or reduced meals.
Published at louis-bolling.com
McCall-Waters’ dream is a youth tennis and education complex, a safe haven for Eatonville’s children with access to computers, mentors, nutrition, and the opportunity to learn the game of tennis. Recently, she organized a gathering of nearly 200 students, introducing many participants to tennis. They engaged in physical fitness activities to develop introductory tennis skills, including hand-eye coordination and ball-tracking abilities.
The United States Tennis Association was vital in making McCall-Waters’ vision a reality, including key USTA staff members Tony Stingley, USTA Community Outreach Senior Manager; Darian Banks, USTA Community Outreach Manager; Ashley Shaw, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator; Deb Ballerino, Tennis Service Representative for Central Florida; and me as USTA national Community Outreach Manager.
McCall-Waters’ tennis accomplishments are an inspiration to young players. At Indiana University (1978-81), she earned First Team All-Big Ten honors thrice and was named All-America twice. Later, she received IU’s prestigious Leanne Grotke Award for commitment to leadership and service, and in 2020 was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame.
Tina McCall-Waters, in service to the community through youth development.
