On Saturday, Dec. 7, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Mid-Atlantic Foundation (MAF) hosted its yearly Tennis Creates Gala at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, DC. The theme for this year’s iteration of the annual event was Community, Character and Well-Being.
Hosted by actors and philanthropists Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe, the evening was filled with exciting events and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Parker and Kodjoe are both best known for their roles in the award-winning series “Soul Food,” for which they both received NAACP Award Nominations. The hosts were joined by Gala Co-Chairs Maria and Kirk Galiani, who are local business leaders and philanthropists, as well as longtime USTA MAF donors Lee and Henry Fonvielle.
On this night of charitable spirit and glamorous celebration, guests could attend a VIP cocktail reception, enjoy a gourmet dinner and wine pairing, bid on exclusive auction items and experience live music and dancing. All proceeds of the Tennis Creates Gala support three programs that seek to give back to the Mid-Atlantic area.
These programs include Girls Rule the Court (GRTC) and other charitable programs such as Community Facilities Restoration and Junior Player Scholarships. GRTC aims “to help close the gap on physical and wellness opportunities offered for young girls, increase sport participation among girls, and promote multigenerational connection and mentorship through positive female coaches and role models.” The facilities project offers grants for the construction and refurbishment of tennis courts, and the scholarships seek to remove barriers to entry for tennis by increasing access to youth programs.
In addition to benefiting these impactful causes, the 2024 USTA Gala also continued its tradition of hosting the Tennis Creates Awards. These honors recognize people and organizations that “celebrate the spirit of tennis and the positive impact it has on lives across the Mid-Atlantic region” through various contributions to the sport. The winners of the Tennis Creates Awards were announced in October, highlighting coaches, teachers, organizations and young players across the Mid-Atlantic region for titles such as the Community Champion Award and the Youth Leader Award. These inspiring community leaders were rightfully honored during the USTA Tennis Creates Gala on Saturday night. For more information, see the full list of winners here.
The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation, with its storied 100-year history, hopes to make the health and community-building benefits of tennis accessible to the entire Mid-Atlantic area. With the funds and awareness raised during the 2024 Tennis Creates Gala, they took another step towards achieving that mission.
