Distinguished figures from the tennis community, along with celebrity supporters and philanthropic leaders, will gather May 11 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City for the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program’s (HJTEP) 54th Annual Gala, celebrating the organization’s long-standing impact.
The event will be emceed by Patrick McEnroe and will spotlight the achievements of more than 1,200 young people who benefit each year from HJTEP’s tennis and education programs. Both a live and silent auction will raise critical funds to support those efforts.
Among the evening’s honorees is Joakim Noah, who will receive the Shining Star Award for his nearly two decades of support of HJTEP.
Above (from left to right): Tennis icon Yannick Noah with his son Joakim Noah who will be the recipient of HJTEP’s Shining Star Award. Source (cover image): GQ France.
Noah’s connection to tennis runs deep. He is the son of 1983 French Open champion and International Tennis Hall of Famer Yannick Noah, and grew up around the sport at the highest level before carving out his own path in basketball.
For Florida fans, Noah’s story carries added relevance. He starred at the University of Florida, helping lead the Gators to back-to-back NCAA championships before going on to a 13-year NBA career that included two All-Star selections and the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Shining Star Award recognizes Noah’s ongoing commitment to giving back and his longstanding support of HJTEP’s mission.
“The impact HJTEP has made over the past 50+ years is a direct result of the generosity and dedication of individuals like Joakim and partners such as Parkway Venture Capital,” said HJTEP Executive Director Katrina Adams. “This event is a special opportunity to celebrate those contributions, connect our supporters with the young people whose lives are being shaped by our programs, and generate critical support for the future of our mission.”
Parkway Venture Capital founders Jesse Coors-Blankenship and Gregg Hill will also be honored with the HJTEP Corporate Award for advancing the organization’s mission.
The gala will feature both live and silent auctions, with offerings that include exclusive travel experiences, private club memberships and premium tennis packages such as behind-the-scenes access to major tournaments, private lessons and VIP hospitality experiences.
Proceeds from the evening will directly support HJTEP’s year-round programming, which combines tennis, education and wellness for youth in underserved communities.
HJTEP continues to deliver measurable impact, including a 95% high school graduation rate, a 3.1 average GPA among participants and 90% of graduates going on to college.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit hjtep.org/gala.
===
Source: HJTEP. Top photo: HJTEP.