Our team: Ronnie,Biko and I wanted to do a project to celebrate the late great, Arthur Ashe. Ronnie mentioned, that this year in July marks Arthur Ashe’s 75 birthday, the 45th year since he won the tournament in 1973 and the 50th year if the Citi tournament itself. This art enrichment program is in honor of the great, tennis star, mentor, humanitarian and statesman.
Citi Open
It’s pretty cool, at the Citi Open In Washington, D.C. I walk around and in spite of not seeing many black faces amongst the organizer and players, and I’m sure they’re many. I felt welcome. I didn’t feel out of place, but not completely familiar to be honest. But everyone who mentions Arthur Ashe always spoke about him with great reverence. Another thing that I notice is that nobody refers to Arthur Ashe as the “black” or “African American” tennis star. He was a star without the categorization. And that I think is special.
We Americans
With the project finished and installed in the main tent at Washington, D.C. Citi Open 2018, one thing that caught my attention was seeing all these little brown faces staring at you, beside the portrait of Arthur Ashe, and that they don’t seem out of place. Little by little we Americans are not judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. We have trailblazers like Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe to thank. Trailblazers who came and competed on equal grounds; we have the not so white sport of tennis to acknowledge.
The works are produced and collaborated with the W.T.E.F., students, and by Award Winning Nicaragua Born Artist, Painter, and Sculptor Manuel Palacio developed his Art in Bermuda and resides in Washington DC.
PUSH PLAY
My name is Duane, I’m 6 years old, and I’m homeschool. My favorite player is my sister Hadassah. I’ve been playing tennis for three weeks; this is my first time at the W.T.E.F. I enjoy snack time. I learned to serve, backhands, and forehand. My favorite memory is playing, painting, and meeting new friend Jaiya. At the W.T.E.F., I learned to practice. I don’t know if I will be returning this fall.
My name is Jaiya, I’m 6 years old, and I’m in the 1th grade at Mundo Verde. My favorite player is my Mommy. I’ve been playing tennis for two weeks; this is my first time at the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing tennis. My favorite memory is playing tennis, and meeting new friend DJ. At the W.T.E.F., I learned to listen. I don’t know if I will be returning this fall.
My name is Blake, I’m 9 years old, and I’m in the 4th grade at Sligo Creek Elementary School. My favorite player is Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for two or tree years; this is not my first time at the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing tennis. My favorite memory is lunchtime, and meeting friend Malik. At the W.T.E.F., I learned teamwork. I think I will be returning this fall.
My name is Malik, I’m 9 years old, and I’m in the 4th grade at Capitol Hill Montessori. My favorite player is my fellow student Blake. I’ve been playing tennis for only tree weeks; this is my first time at the W.T.E.F. I especially enjoy lunchtime. I learned forehands and backhand. One of my fondest memories is playing, and I met new friend Blake. I don’t know if I will be returning this fall.
My name is Kobi Sankofa, I’m 12 years old, and I’m in the 7th grade at DCI. My favorite players are Roger Federer and Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for 8 years, some with the W.T.E.F. I especially enjoy getting fit and making friends. I learned to stop lifting my foot when I hit the ball, sometimes. One of my fondest memories is making friend, Jade. At the W.T.E.F, I learned to fight to the end, never give up. I believe that I will be returning this fall.
My name is Dakota, I’m 14years old, and I’m in the 10th grade homeschool. My favorite player is Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for 6 years; this is my first time with the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing tennis. My fondest memories are talking with my friends at lunchtime and playing pinpong. I enjoy making friend, Kobi. At the W.T.E.F, I learned to try your hardest and to push past your limits. I don’t know if I will be returning this fall.
My name is Amber Brown, I’m 16 years old, and I’m in the 11th grade. My favorite player is Maria Sharapova. I’ve been playing tennis for 12 years, many of which were spent in the W.T.E.F. I especially enjoy working with the people at W.T.E.F. I learned a lot, but mainly how to play tennis. Une of my fondest memories is as a beginner just learning to play; there I met my good friend, Manaya. At the W.T.E.F. I learned that working hard at tennis and school will get you a long way. I’m returning this fall, again.
My name is Paige Moore, I’m 17 years and 8 months old, and I graduated from High School. My favorite player is Rafael Nadal. I’ve been playing tennis for 11 years; this is my first time attending the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing tennis. I enjoyed the Art Enrichment! I have a high standard for making friends; it was not met so far. Regrettably, I will not be here in the Fall.
My name is Zayma Negussie, I’m 11 years old, and I’m in the 6th grade at Alice Deal Middle School. My favorite player is Gaël Monfils. I’ve been playing tennis since I was 3 years old. This is not my first time attending, the W.T.E.F. I enjoy having fun. I learned to move my feet more. I made a new friend, Roman. I will be returning this fall.
My name is Cloë Walker, I’m 13 years old, and I’m in the 8th grade at Alice Deal Middle School. My favorite player is my father. I’ve been playing tennis for 10-11 years. This is not my first time attending, the W.T.E.F., It’s fun. I learned to play harder than everyone else. I met lots of friends at W.T.E.F. I learn to put forth 110% effort on the court and in my everyday life. Most likely, I will be returning this fall, maybe.
My name is Jade, I’m 16 years old, and I’m in the 11th grade, homeschool. I don’t have a favorite player. I’ve been playing tennis now for 8 years. This is my first time attending the W.T.E.F., I enjoy playing with the other athletes. I haven’t learned anything yet. But I met a new friend, Kobi. At the W.T.E.F., I learn to keep trying until I succeed. I will not be returning this fall.
My name is Anissa, I’m 9 years old, and I’m in the 5th grade at Seven Oaks Elementary. My favorite players are Venus and Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis since I was four years old. This is not my first time attending the W.T.E.F., I enjoy the tennis games and all the activities. I learned to perfect my hits. My favorite memories are playing tag with coach Marco; making friends: Hadassah, Zipporah, Diamond, Destiny, Chole, and Jaiya. At the W.T.E.F., I learned to never give up. I don’t know if I’ll be returning this fall.
My name is Destiny Miles, I’m 12 years old, and I am now in the 7th grade at CMIT South Elementary. My favorite players are Venus and Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for 2 weeks. This is my first time attending the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing games; it made tennis camp a little more fun. Learning different positions and steps in tennis. I learned to play tennis, and I made new friends: Anissa, Zipporah, Hadassah, Jaiya, and Dj. I don’t know if I can or will return this fall.
My name is Diamond, I’m 10 years old, and I’m in the 5th grade at CMIT South Elementary. My favorite players are Venus and Serena Williams. I’ve only been playing tennis for two weeks. This is my first time attending, the W.T.E.F., I enjoy the tennis games. I learned to hit the ball correctly. My favorite memories are going to the park and I making friends: Hadassah, Zipporah, Chole, Anniesa, Lia, and Dj., I will continue to make friends, I don’t know if I’ll be returning this Fall.
My name is Hadassah, I’m 10 years old, and I’m in the 5th grade at Rock Christian Academy. My favorite players are Venus and Serena Williams. I’ve only been playing tennis for three weeks. This is my first time attending, the W.T.E.F., I like everything. I learned to play tennis, and I make friends: Anissa, Diamond, Destiny, and Jaiya! I will continue to make friends, I don’t know if I’ll be returning this fall.
My name is Zipporah Sarai Moore, I’m nine years old, and I’m in the fourth grade at Rock Christian Academy. I’ve only been playing tennis for three weeks. I don’t have a favorite tennis player. This is my first time attending, the W.T.E.F., I like everything. I learned to hit and serve, and I made many friends: Chole, Anissa, Diamond, Destiny, and Jaiya! I don’t know if I’ll be returning this fall.
My name is Salome Faith Moore, I’m 13 years old, and I’m homeschool in the 8th grade. My favorite player is Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for 7 years, this is my first time attending, I enjoy lunchtime. I learned to never stop, even if you think you can’t make it. My fondest memories are going to lunch. Also, I met my good friend, Gabby. I don’t know if I’ll be returning this fall.
My name is Kai Goodall and I am 16 years old. I’m in the 11th grade and currently attend the School Without Walls (SWW) in Washington, DC. My favorite tennis player is Serena Williams. I have been playing for 11 years of which 2 were under the guidance of WTEF coaches. During these WTEF summer camps, I really appreciate how the coaches take the time to attend to every player. Through tennis, I have learned that I am in charge of my life and my future. My favorite memory so far has been my “talk” with Kobi’s dad – Biko Sankofa regarding “life.” Through camp, I have met my new friend Marco. The life lesson that I have learned through tennis is that the harder you work, the better the outcome. I look forward to continuing tennis this Fall at WTEF’s tennis academy!
Award Winning Nicaragua Born Artist, Painter, and Sculptor Manuel Palacio. Developed his Art in Bermuda, and Resides in Washington DC.
My art is a quest for acceptance. Unfortunately, I guess, like all passions, the Arts is driven by this need to feel love and to have a sense of belonging; to feel accepted and understood. Although representative at times it is not always about observations. Rather it’s reflective of the influences of my quest.
I’m an American artist whose work developed in Bermuda. I was born in Nicaragua. Culturally I’m West Indian and Hispanic. I celebrate my regions, and it's many cultures.
“Bootsy” Collins Vs. Jean-Michele Basquiat DEVELOPMENT Robert Hughes Insightful commentary on Basquiat had me thinking a lot. I especially liked what he […]
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Warning, this side depict Nude Art.
Please be adviced, some of the art depicted by Manuel Palacio shows nude body parts. Also, some of the blogs contain adult language.
My name is Duane, I’m 6 years old, and I’m homeschool. My favorite player is my sister Hadassah. I’ve been playing tennis for three weeks; this is my first time at the W.T.E.F. I enjoy snack time. I learned to serve, backhands, and forehand. My favorite memory is playing, painting, and meeting new friend Jaiya. At the W.T.E.F., I learned to practice. I don’t know if I will be returning this fall.
My name is Jaiya, I’m 6 years old, and I’m in the 1th grade at Mundo Verde. My favorite player is my Mommy. I’ve been playing tennis for two weeks; this is my first time at the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing tennis. My favorite memory is playing tennis, and meeting new friend DJ. At the W.T.E.F., I learned to listen. I don’t know if I will be returning this fall.
My name is Blake, I’m 9 years old, and I’m in the 4th grade at Sligo Creek Elementary School. My favorite player is Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for two or tree years; this is not my first time at the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing tennis. My favorite memory is lunchtime, and meeting friend Malik. At the W.T.E.F., I learned teamwork. I think I will be returning this fall.
My name is Malik, I’m 9 years old, and I’m in the 4th grade at Capitol Hill Montessori. My favorite player is my fellow student Blake. I’ve been playing tennis for only tree weeks; this is my first time at the W.T.E.F. I especially enjoy lunchtime. I learned forehands and backhand. One of my fondest memories is playing, and I met new friend Blake. I don’t know if I will be returning this fall.
My name is Kobi Sankofa, I’m 12 years old, and I’m in the 7th grade at DCI. My favorite players are Roger Federer and Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for 8 years, some with the W.T.E.F. I especially enjoy getting fit and making friends. I learned to stop lifting my foot when I hit the ball, sometimes. One of my fondest memories is making friend, Jade. At the W.T.E.F, I learned to fight to the end, never give up. I believe that I will be returning this fall.
My name is Dakota, I’m 14years old, and I’m in the 10th grade homeschool. My favorite player is Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for 6 years; this is my first time with the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing tennis. My fondest memories are talking with my friends at lunchtime and playing pinpong. I enjoy making friend, Kobi. At the W.T.E.F, I learned to try your hardest and to push past your limits. I don’t know if I will be returning this fall.
My name is Amber Brown, I’m 16 years old, and I’m in the 11th grade. My favorite player is Maria Sharapova. I’ve been playing tennis for 12 years, many of which were spent in the W.T.E.F. I especially enjoy working with the people at W.T.E.F. I learned a lot, but mainly how to play tennis. Une of my fondest memories is as a beginner just learning to play; there I met my good friend, Manaya. At the W.T.E.F. I learned that working hard at tennis and school will get you a long way. I’m returning this fall, again.
My name is Paige Moore, I’m 17 years and 8 months old, and I graduated from High School. My favorite player is Rafael Nadal. I’ve been playing tennis for 11 years; this is my first time attending the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing tennis. I enjoyed the Art Enrichment! I have a high standard for making friends; it was not met so far. Regrettably, I will not be here in the Fall.
My name is Zayma Negussie, I’m 11 years old, and I’m in the 6th grade at Alice Deal Middle School. My favorite player is Gaël Monfils. I’ve been playing tennis since I was 3 years old. This is not my first time attending, the W.T.E.F. I enjoy having fun. I learned to move my feet more. I made a new friend, Roman. I will be returning this fall.
My name is Cloë Walker, I’m 13 years old, and I’m in the 8th grade at Alice Deal Middle School. My favorite player is my father. I’ve been playing tennis for 10-11 years. This is not my first time attending, the W.T.E.F., It’s fun. I learned to play harder than everyone else. I met lots of friends at W.T.E.F. I learn to put forth 110% effort on the court and in my everyday life. Most likely, I will be returning this fall, maybe.
My name is Jade, I’m 16 years old, and I’m in the 11th grade, homeschool. I don’t have a favorite player. I’ve been playing tennis now for 8 years. This is my first time attending the W.T.E.F., I enjoy playing with the other athletes. I haven’t learned anything yet. But I met a new friend, Kobi. At the W.T.E.F., I learn to keep trying until I succeed. I will not be returning this fall.
My name is Anissa, I’m 9 years old, and I’m in the 5th grade at Seven Oaks Elementary. My favorite players are Venus and Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis since I was four years old. This is not my first time attending the W.T.E.F., I enjoy the tennis games and all the activities. I learned to perfect my hits. My favorite memories are playing tag with coach Marco; making friends: Hadassah, Zipporah, Diamond, Destiny, Chole, and Jaiya. At the W.T.E.F., I learned to never give up. I don’t know if I’ll be returning this fall.
My name is Destiny Miles, I’m 12 years old, and I am now in the 7th grade at CMIT South Elementary. My favorite players are Venus and Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for 2 weeks. This is my first time attending the W.T.E.F. I enjoy playing games; it made tennis camp a little more fun. Learning different positions and steps in tennis. I learned to play tennis, and I made new friends: Anissa, Zipporah, Hadassah, Jaiya, and Dj. I don’t know if I can or will return this fall.
My name is Diamond, I’m 10 years old, and I’m in the 5th grade at CMIT South Elementary. My favorite players are Venus and Serena Williams. I’ve only been playing tennis for two weeks. This is my first time attending, the W.T.E.F., I enjoy the tennis games. I learned to hit the ball correctly. My favorite memories are going to the park and I making friends: Hadassah, Zipporah, Chole, Anniesa, Lia, and Dj., I will continue to make friends, I don’t know if I’ll be returning this Fall.
My name is Hadassah, I’m 10 years old, and I’m in the 5th grade at Rock Christian Academy. My favorite players are Venus and Serena Williams. I’ve only been playing tennis for three weeks. This is my first time attending, the W.T.E.F., I like everything. I learned to play tennis, and I make friends: Anissa, Diamond, Destiny, and Jaiya! I will continue to make friends, I don’t know if I’ll be returning this fall.
My name is Zipporah Sarai Moore, I’m nine years old, and I’m in the fourth grade at Rock Christian Academy. I’ve only been playing tennis for three weeks. I don’t have a favorite tennis player. This is my first time attending, the W.T.E.F., I like everything. I learned to hit and serve, and I made many friends: Chole, Anissa, Diamond, Destiny, and Jaiya! I don’t know if I’ll be returning this fall.
My name is Salome Faith Moore, I’m 13 years old, and I’m homeschool in the 8th grade. My favorite player is Serena Williams. I’ve been playing tennis for 7 years, this is my first time attending, I enjoy lunchtime. I learned to never stop, even if you think you can’t make it. My fondest memories are going to lunch. Also, I met my good friend, Gabby. I don’t know if I’ll be returning this fall.
My name is Kai Goodall and I am 16 years old. I’m in the 11th grade and currently attend the School Without Walls (SWW) in Washington, DC. My favorite tennis player is Serena Williams. I have been playing for 11 years of which 2 were under the guidance of WTEF coaches. During these WTEF summer camps, I really appreciate how the coaches take the time to attend to every player. Through tennis, I have learned that I am in charge of my life and my future. My favorite memory so far has been my “talk” with Kobi’s dad – Biko Sankofa regarding “life.” Through camp, I have met my new friend Marco. The life lesson that I have learned through tennis is that the harder you work, the better the outcome. I look forward to continuing tennis this Fall at WTEF’s tennis academy!
