(June 13, 2022) NEW YORK, NY – The Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program celebrating their 50th anniversary at their annual Spring gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Monday night. Luminaries from the world of tennis, celebrity tennis fans, philanthropists and supporters gathered to support the progam and raised almost one million dollars during the evening.  In addition to celebrating the success of the nearly 1,000 youngsters who benefit from the HJTEP annually, the event honored three of its most ardent supporters.  Jeanine D. Liburd, Chief Social Impact and Communications Officer for BET; Monica Seles, a nine-time Grand Slam champion; and Tony Signore, CEO/ Managing Partner for Taylor Global.

HJTEP brings tennis to youth from high-risk, low-income inner-city neighborhoods and offers opportunities for self-development, emphasizing education and a positive code of behavior. The not-for-profit organization opens a new door for many inner-city boys and girls, ages 6-18, to learn the game of tennis.  And the numbers speak to its success with a 95% high school graduation rate, a 3.1 GPA, and more than 80% program graduates attending college.