Category: News

NEW YORK (June 26, 2022) – New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) is excited to announce that the “Ashe ‘68 Documentary Project” is now open for viewing at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. This unique multi-component project, created and produced by director and cinematographer Rex Miller, celebrates the life and legacy of NYJTL’s founder Arthur Ashe, the groundbreaking tennis champion and civil rights activist. The project uniquely commemorates Ashe’s historic 1968 US Open championship victory, which made him the first Black man to win a Grand Slam tennis tournament and the first American to become the US Open Men’s Champion.

“We are so excited to bring the legacy of our visionary founder and illustrious tennis star Arthur Ashe to the thousands of families and children we serve in all five boroughs,” says NYJTL President & CEO, Udai Tambar. “Our investment in the south Bronx provides the community with the opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind exhibition.”

This immersive project features several components that provide viewers with an intimate showing of Arthur Ashe’s personal evolution from a tennis legend to international human rights advocate. One of these features is the “Ashe ‘68 VR Experience”. Previously previewed at the 2018 US Open, this virtual reality experience brings viewers at the Cary Leeds Center to Ashe’s historic 1968 win, combining 360° video recreations, archival material, and never-before-seen stop motion animation to tell his story. Viewers can be completely immersed in this captivating viewing, from Ashe’s walk through the halls of West Side Tennis Club to his historic pre-match press conference, all presented from the Tennis Channel Broadcast Center at the Cary Leeds Center.

“Many children in this community are not exposed to tennis because it is seen as a White-dominated sport,” says NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., who represents the 17th District including the South Bronx. “It is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about tennis through the life of civil rights activist Arthur Ashe, while learning about his drive and dedication to creating change. This exhibition is very motivating for all its viewers.”

Along with the virtual reality experience, guests can enjoy viewing the Photo Exhibit in the lower outdoor terrace of the Cary Leeds Center. This features a series of photographs by John Zimmerman documenting Ashe’s historic victory. Launched in 2018 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and later exhibited at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, it features sixteen Vibrachrome panels that uniquely capture never before seen images of Ashe’s life both on and off the court.

As part of NYJTL’s partnership with CNN Films and Picture Motion, on June 10, 2022, the film portion of Ashe ‘68 was enjoyed by NYJTL’s participants via an exclusive private screening of their original documentary Citizen Ashe to students from four NYJTL Bronx after- school programs. The ACES Afterschool students, all coming from the local south Bronx community and poorest Congressional district in the nation, gathered in the state-of-the-art Cary Leeds Center to discuss Ashe’s dedication to social justice and tennis with the film’s creator Rex Miller. Finally, the afternoon concluded with an on-court component to actualize Ashe’s vision of using tennis and education as tools for social good.

“The greatest lesson youth can learn from Arthur’s life is that anyone can make a difference,” says brother of Arthur Ashe, Johnnie Ashe. “What made him great was his ability to lead with strength, integrity and purpose, and that was his gift to mankind.”

After the success of CNN’s screening, NYJTL is welcoming the community to view the “Ashe ‘68 Documentary Project” free of charge at the Cary Leeds Center all summer, culminating at the 2022 NYJTL Bronx Open, the women’s $60,000 USTA Pro-Circuit Tournament during the week leading into the US Open Qualifying tournament from August 15-21, 2022.

By being resilient to life’s challenges and having the ambition to be the best you can be, any dream is attainable. Derwin Guzman knows this to be true. Derwin’s journey with New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) started more than a decade ago. At the age of six, he started in the Community Tennis Program (CTP) at PS 187 in Manhattan. Now, he just graduated high school from the Frederick Douglas Academy and led his team to victory in the PSAL tennis championship- the first time his school achieved this title in its history!

Though his athleticism started from a young age, Derwin’s first sport was not tennis. Focused solely on basketball, Derwin was encouraged to join his school’s tennis team by his coach that led both teams. During his first year of high school when he told his basketball teammates that he would not be returning to the sport in the next season, they teased him saying that “tennis is for soft people” because of the lack of physicality on court. Still, Derwin continued. He soon found that tennis brought him a sense of peace in a way that he had not experienced. He participated in various NYJTL programs, from ACES Afterschool, to CTP, to the Intensive Training Program. These programs instilled the importance of being both a scholar and an athlete. “My continued participation in NYJTL taught me invaluable lessons that stretch far beyond the 36’ by 78’ lines of the court,” says Derwin. “Tennis promotes physical growth, exercise, making friends, fun, fair play, and improved self-esteem.”

NYJTL’s tournament opportunities shaped Derwin to be the competitive player that he is today. His participation in the NYJTL Mayor Dinkins Cup, previously known as the Mayors Cup, was especially pivotal because it was the first time he competed on a team, which taught him about the importance of sportsmanship. His mentor at NYJTL for more than seven years, Coach Willie, guided his journey with the sport. “I always came last in the games we played but Coach Willie always pushed me to keep going regardless of the outcome,” Derwin recalls.

Today, Derwin is a coach himself, this time at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning! Many of the young children he works with admire his patience and insight when he teaches them new skills.

NYJTL is so proud of Derwin’s success! The combination of tennis and education was a powerful force in his life. As a high school senior, he was the student body representative for his class in student government. NYJTL is proud to award him the Gavrin Family Foundation Scholarship of $8,000 over four years as he heads to Manhattanville College this fall, taking his racket with him!

On June 10, 2022, CNN Films held an exclusive private screening of their original documentary Citizen Ashe to students from four New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) Bronx after-school programs. The film documents the evolution of NYJTL’s visionary founder Arthur Ashe, and his rise from tennis legend to global human rights activist.  

“NYJTL is the culmination of our founder Arthur Ashe’s vision to combine tennis and education to change the lives of underserved youth,” says NYJTL President & CEO, Udai Tambar. “We are proud to screen this original film to instill in our children Ashe’s principles of justice, advocacy, and resilience against life’s greatest challenges, teaching them through his example that tennis is much greater than solely what is played on court.”  

An additional thirty NYJTL ACES Afterschool Program (ACES) sites will enjoy exclusive virtual screenings of Citizen Ashe and post-screening reflections during program hours this month introducing thousands of children to this work.  

The ACES students, all coming from the local south Bronx community and poorest Congressional district in the nation, gathered in the state-of-the-art Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning to hear from the film’s creator Rex Miller. The afternoon included an on-court component to actualize Ashe’s vision of utilizing tennis and education as tools for social good. 

“This screening really represents why I love making documentaries,” says Citizen Ashe filmmaker Rex Miller. “Johnnie Ashe, Arthur’s brother, told me that the importance of this project is the educational component, and sharing Arthur’s story. A room of kids, mostly of color, all now know who Arthur Ashe is. I played high school tennis with many of those involved with the creation of the Cary Leeds Center, so it was extra special for me to return and bring this legacy here.” 

Following the film, the students engaged in a weighty discussion. Many students spoke about Ashe’s resilience, leadership, and compassion especially as he navigated his own struggles with AIDS while fighting for marginalized communities. They were struck by the different life skills that tennis taught Ashe, along with his passion for inclusivity. 

“This NYJTL event is so important because it uses film and storytelling as a catalyst to start conversation,” says Chief Operating Officer of Picture Motion Campaigns LLC Juliette Richey, “it introduces a generation to Arthur and his activism for racial injustice and inclusion. Arthur and tennis teach these young kids discipline and leadership. Whether they become athletes or not, these youth build a foundation into adulthood.” 

NYJTL hopes to continue to provide creative mediums to spark meaningful conversations with the youth that we serve, especially connecting them to the life and legacy of Arthur Ashe.

About NYJTL:

The mission of New York Junior Tennis & Learning is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court.  Since 1971, NYJTL has changed lives through tennis, education, healthy living, and character development programs.  Today, it is the largest youth tennis and education non-profit in the nation, reaching more than 85,000 K-12 New York City youth. 

NYJTL provides after school programming in approximately 30 schools and community tennis programming at approximately 40 sites throughout New York City in the summer months and at additional sites that operate during the school year.  In addition, NYJTL designed, funded (with NYC), built and operates the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, at which it provides free and commercial tennis programming year-round as well as life skills, character development and healthy living lessons.  All NYJTL community tennis and after school programs are offered at no cost to its participants. 

Contact: Joe Ceriello
Chief Marketing & Development Officer
jceriello@nyjtl.org
(917) 693-6672 

About Picture Motion Campaigns LLC:

Picture Motion is the leading social impact agency developing award-winning advocacy and marketing campaigns for films, books, art, and entertainment having produced 200+ social impact campaigns for every major social issue including gender rights, racial justice, climate change, criminal justice reform, and many others. Picture Motion’s mission is to leverage storytelling to inspire empathy, convene people, and ignite brave conversations and action. For a decade filmmakers, artists, studios, and brands have turned to Picture Motion’s expert team of impact strategists to amplify their content, mobilize key communities and change makers to drive impact beyond the credits. These campaigns have empowered, educated and provided action opportunities for all audiences. Stories can change the world, we make sure they do. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, and picturemotion.com 

Contact: Juliette Richey
Chief Operations Officer
juliette@picturemotion.com 

The Mayor Dinkins Cup is the largest free junior interscholastic tennis competition in the nation, with players from all over New York City representing public, parochial, and private schools. This year we had 540 entries from public, private, and parochial schools in elementary, middle, and high school divisions and more than 500 kids in individual competitions representing all five boroughs and a total of 283 schools. Click here to see photos of this year’s event!

Formerly the Mayor’s Cup, NYJTL renamed the tournament the Mayor Dinkins Cup to honor NYC’s first Black Mayor and NYJTL Board Member, who served 35 years, David N. Dinkins. Below are the winners of the fierce competition:

? Mayor Dinkins Cup Final Awards Winners ?

The annual NYJTL Mayor Dinkins Cup will return to the Bronx from May 26 to June 5, 2022 at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. Eleven scholarships have been awarded that will provide a total of $70,000 to program participants to help them achieve their collegiate ambitions. The scholarships will be presented to the winners during the final day of the tournament at the awards ceremony on June 5, 2022 at 2 pm.  

The $70,000 of scholarship awards for the benefit of underserved students, a significant increase over last year’s total of $5,000, will be presented at NYJTL’s first in-person awards ceremony since the beginning of the pandemic. The ceremony, which is open to the public, will present the young champions from the teams, singles, and doubles categories in addition to the recipients of the 11 scholarship awards. The scholarship awards include the Gavrin Family Foundation Scholarship, established by Metropolitan Commercial Bank; the Louis Marx, Jr. Educational Scholarship; the Victor Kiam “Going For It” Scholarship; and the AYS Leadership and Innovation Scholarship. These are awarded to NYJTL participants with financial need who excel in tennis, academics, and character, and will be renewed annually based on good academic standing. 

“I am honored to support the success of NYJTL’s young people across New York City,” says former Metropolitan Commercial Bank Chairman of the Board of Directors David Gavrin. “Through these scholarships, I hope to help these students achieve their goal of attending college and realize their full potential.” 

The winners are: 

Gavrin Family Foundation Scholarship 

• Derwin Guzman, Bronx, Frederick Douglass Academy, Manhattanville College 
• Sylwia Filonik, Brooklyn, Christ the King Regional High School, St. John’s University 
• Jeremias Contreras, Brooklyn, Homeschool (SFKG School of Applied Wisdom), Kings College 
• Emmanuel Usman, Bronx, Aviation Career and Technical Highschool, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 
• Matthew Usman, Bronx, Aviation Career and Technical Highschool, SUNY Stony Brook University 

Louis Marx, Jr. Educational Scholarship 

• Sara Contreras, Brooklyn, Homeschool (SFKG School of Applied Wisdom), Liberty College 
• Allycia Santa Cruz, Queens, Bard High School Early College, Queens College 
• Dylan Augustin, Brooklyn, Nazareth High School, Brooklyn College 
• Aaron Wong, Queens, Francis Lewis High School, SUNY Binghamton University 

Victor Kiam “Going For It” Scholarship 

• Mary Maccarone, Queens, Bayside High School, Florida Atlantic University  

AYS Leadership & Innovation Scholarship 

• Evelin Perez, Bronx, High School of American Studies at Lehman College 

The awards ceremony will feature dance performances from students in NYJTL’s ACES Afterschool Program. This along with other activities will create a day of fun and festivities to celebrate the winners of the tournament and scholarships.  

“We are so proud to host the nation’s largest free junior interscholastic tennis competition in honor of late longtime NYJTL board member, tennis advocate, and former NYC Mayor, David Dinkins,” says NYJTL President & CEO Udai Tambar. “His dedication to bringing tennis and education to NYC children, like that of our visionary founder Arthur Ashe, has had a tremendous impact on our organization.” 

The NYJTL Mayor Dinkins Cup brings players from all over New York City representing public, parochial, and private schools. Formerly known as the NYJTL Mayors Cup, the tournament was renamed in honor of NYJTL’s late board member and the first Black mayor of New York City Mayor David Dinkins.  

The NYJTL Mayor Dinkins Cup kicks off today at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. The awards ceremony will be held on June 5, 2022 at 2 pm. Come join and cheer on our winners and scholarship recipients! 

For more information on the Mayor Dinkins Cup, please visit nyjtl.org/mayor-dinkins-cup/ or contact Tournament Director Michele Cope at mayordinkinscup@nyjtl.org. For more information on NYJTL scholarships, please visit https://www.nyjtl.org/scholarships/.