Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program to celebrate mission in annual Gala

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The Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program will host its annual Gala on May 22nd, looking to celebrate their tennis and education efforts for nearly 1,000 children and award supporters who contribute greatly to the impactful work.

Rennae Stubbs and James R. Kelly III will be honored at the event, as their support has been significant to the program’s success. Stubbs, a former No. 1-ranked doubles player and six-time Grand Slam champion, will be awarded the Shining Star Award which “recognizes an individual who has shone their light” and believes wholeheartedly in the mission, according to HJTEP.

“The success of the HJTEP for the past 50-years would not have been possible without the selfless commitment from scores of people like Rennae and Jim who have supported our mission and helped us grow,” said Katrina Adams, HJTEP Executive Director. “We are looking forward to this opportunity to thank our friends and supporters and introduce them to many of the youngsters that are directly benefiting from our programs.”

Kelly III, the recently retired HJTEP Chairman of the Board, will have the Chairman’s Award renamed after him, as he served this role for 16 years. This award acknowledges a visible and vocal leader “supporting youth and promoting the importance of education.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, there will be a live auction which raised close to $1 million previously. And you won’t believe what they’re auctioning off:

• Two US Open tickets with a behind the scenes ESPN tour with Rennae Stubbs herself
• Two French Open quarterfinal tickets with round-trip business class transportation
• Two box seats to the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells
• A hitting session with the Bryan Brothers
• A pair of autographed Stan Smith Adidas tennis shoes

Talk about a tennis fan’s MOST WANTED list.

Also on every fan’s MOST WANTED list is celebrity tennis fans, who by the way, will be very much in attendance. Not only that, but they are also avid HJTEP supporters. This celebrity list includes Honorary Chair and International Tennis Hall of Famer Stan Smith, along with Co-Chairs Jeanine D. Liburd and Vladimir Makatsaria.

The event will take place at the Ziegfield Ballroom in New York City. Tickets for the gala are available at www.HJTEP.org or info@dwightjohnsondesign.com. You could be walking away with those live auction items, let alone being surrounded by respectable leaders in tennis and education.