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In recognition of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S., we’re highlighting Head In The Game (HITG) grantees Kings County Tennis League (KCTL) and Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (HJTEP) who are using tennis to empower Brooklyn and Harlem youth in New York City.
KCTL and HJTEP are leading a movement that has reimagined tennis as a tool for mental wellness and opportunity. Founded in 2010, KCTL runs free tennis and education programs at public housing developments and children’s and community centers in Brooklyn, addressing barriers to access and creating safe spaces for learning, growth and play. Founded in 1972 on 143rd Street in Harlem, HJTEP provides tennis instruction, academic support and wellness programs to youth ages 5–18, helping them build resilience, confidence and life skills on and off the court. Together, the organizations are expanding access to the sport, breaking down systemic barriers and supporting youth mental health, fitness and success.
Collaborating for Holistic Support
KCTL and HJTEP have built a partnership that is enabling them to reach youth across boroughs, offering shared programming that is building confidence and community. Together, the organizations provide high-quality, free (KCTL) and low-cost (HJTEP), tennis and education programs that prioritize physical and mental wellbeing, reshaping public courts and enriching young lives in neighborhoods where life-skills support can be in short supply.
“Over the last few years, KCTL and HJTEP began offering opportunities for our youth to play together through field trips to HJTEP’s tennis center. These play experiences show youth how friendships can be made by participating in the sport, learning that there is a bigger “tennis community” that they are part of,” shared Mara Mazza, Deputy Executive Director of KCTL.
These joint events and participation in annual American Tennis Association (ATA) tournaments help young people connect, see themselves represented in tennis and feel part of a wider community. “The ATA, the oldest African-American sports organization in the U.S., has long created opportunities for Black athletes. These events lets our youth meet Black junior players from across the state,” said Mazza.
“The KCTL-HJTEP partnership has greatly strengthened our ability to support BIPOC youth, especially around mental health,” said Simone Spigner, Director of Programming at HJTEP. “By joining forces, we’ve integrated specialized mental health support to tackle anxiety, depression and trauma that disproportionately affect youth in public housing. Our shared commitment means we’re actively working to combat mental health stigma, creating safer spaces where these kids feel seen and heard.”
Understanding the Challenges
Mazza shared that many youth in the neighborhoods the organizations serve face steep barriers to wellness – including economic hardship, systemic racism, overcrowded housing and limited access to recreation – all of which intensify stress and anxiety. KCTL and HJTEP’s are therefore supporting spaces that foster emotional growth and resilience. “We aim to equip them with coping strategies and build confidence, ensuring their well-being is prioritized alongside their athletic and academic growth,” said Spigner.
94% of KCTL’s youth and 85% of HJTEP’s identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). The kids, many of whom live in public housing, face higher risks of poor mental health due to structural inequalities and historical disinvestment. The partners step in where other systems may fall short, providing opportunity and reclaiming space for their participants – physically and emotionally – through sport.
KCTL’s model brings tennis programs to children living in and around New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, turning them into safe places to play and grow through tennis. “Even with this approach, these challenges underscore the need for culturally responsive, community-based mental health support systems tailored to BIPOC youth, particularly those living in public housing,” said Mazza.
Reimagining Possibility Through Tennis
Mazza explains that tennis is a powerful tool for supporting youth mental health, as it helps youth develop resilience, confidence, social connection and healthy coping skills through structured play and exercise.
KCTL’s model brings tennis programs to children living in and around six NYCHA developments in Brooklyn, turning underused courts or blacktop spaces into places to play and grow. In 2024, 125+ volunteer coaches helped KCTL deliver 2,000+ hours of free programming to nearly 900 youth, more than a third of whom lived in public housing.
“Our courts are safe spaces where youth can express emotions. Our staff and volunteer coaches are trained to help them process feelings, such as disappointment and self-doubt that come with failure, in a healthy way. Through playing the game and receiving support from our coaches, our youth are learning to manage stress and stay calm in challenging situations within the context of competitive tennis play,” said Mazza.
HJTEP also uses tennis to teach skills such as resilience and self-discipline that directly transfer to daily life. “We integrate mindfulness practices and provide direct access to mental health resources. Our coaches and tutors guide students through challenges and celebrate growth, showing them how to manage emotions and build confidence. This holistic approach ensures that beyond just tennis skills, students develop strong emotional intelligence and mental wellbeing for life,” shared Spigner.
Breaking Stigmas Through Head In The Game
Through HITG, KCTL and HJTEP are reshaping their coaching models with healing-centered training from experts like the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, Doc Wayne and the U.S. Center for Mental Health and Sport.
“We have incorporated elements of what we learned through the HITG mental wellness curriculum into our trainings, which has helped coaches to normalize mental health conversations, create affirming, stigma-free spaces and provide ‘first-aid’ style support,” said Mazza.
HITG has also strengthened HJTEP’s approach. “It’s truly enhanced how our coaches address mental wellbeing, giving them tools to spot struggles and create safe spaces. Plus, the digital resources provide vital support for both teens and their families beyond the courts. Ultimately, HITG strengthens our holistic approach, ensuring we’re nurturing mentally strong and well-rounded individuals,” said Spigner.
By weaving mental wellness into every serve and swing, KCTL and HJTEP are destigmatizing conversations and modeling new pathways for support.
Representation and Transformation on the Court
For many KCTL and HJTEP youth, seeing athletes like Coco Gauff, Frances Tiafoe and the Williams sisters succeed has been transformative. These role models challenge stereotypes and prove that tennis belongs to everyone. “Their visibility helps our youth develop a multidimensional sense of self,” said Mazza.
Each time a young player takes the court, they’re claiming space in a sport that has historically lacked diversity, paving the way for future athletes. “Seeing athletes who look like them dominating a sport like tennis, sends a powerful message that they belong here and can achieve anything,” said Spigner.
Cristian Ramos, a Bronx native and HJTEP alum, embodies this transformation. He joined the program during the pandemic, struggling with isolation and uncertainty. Tennis gave him structure and community, but it was his coaches’ support that made the difference. “They’re always there for me,” explained Cristian. “Not just to teach tennis, but to offer guidance and support. They genuinely care about my success and are helping me become a better person.”
Tennis helped him build resilience, focus and confidence. Now a junior at Fordham University, a college athlete and a coach at HJTEP, Cristian is paying it forward. “It’s about more than just hitting a ball; it’s about providing a nurturing community, equipping young people with emotional tools and building the mental fortitude needed to thrive. Cristian is a testament to the power of sport combined with dedicated mentorship, building champions both on and off the court,” said Spigner.
The Work Ahead
KCTL and HJTEP are rewriting the narrative which has long viewed tennis as a sport of privilege. Through their work, they are showing how it can be a tool for social justice, mental wellness and empowerment. By merging sport, mentorship, education and mental health advocacy, KCTL and HJTEP are proving that with the right support, every young person, regardless of race, zip code or income, can rise.
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