A GEORGE GADSON ORIGINAL

Ten awards for Black Tennis Hall of Fame (BTHOF) Inductees into the Classes of 2020 and 2021 were humbly finished in bronze from an original design that artist George Gadson created more than six years ago for this very enterprise.

One more time and one more year, the artist’s work is representative in honoring a tradition, as the sculptor for their annual inductee awards.

Says Gadson, “My work in art, and in the community, has always been guided towards purpose and preservation, and this award yearly, reminds me of the work done by so many others in this vein, rising again and again to overcome and succeed in the journey of Black Americans.”

A Virtual Ceremony, held at the HBCU Campus of Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA, on August 28, saluted the inductees into this significant celebration, and Gadson was proud to be present through his artwork.

The ceremony opened with a chorus from Brandon Camphor & OneWay, credited as being one of the most exciting young vocal bands on today’s musical landscape, performing Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, which coincidentally is also the namesake of one of Gadson’s famed sculptures, “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” permanently located in the Lou Rawls Performing Art Center at Florida Memorial University in Miami, FL.

It seems Mr. Gadson is tied to the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in celebration, honor and art, in a relationship he respects for its documenting and memorializing critical people and moments in the journey towards inclusion in Black Tennis History and American History.

A true camaraderie of black honor and sportsmanship, and indeed, “Winning,” the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, founded in 2007, is the one of its kind. The idea is conceived out of an Exhibition at that time, Breaking the Barriers, that has today become the most successful touring exhibit in the International Tennis Hall of Fame and was in the 2007 USTA US Open Tournament where 25,000 people viewed it.

While creating and curating this exhibit, BTHOF Founder Dale Caldwell realized that a Black Tennis Hall of Fame needed to be started that would permanently record black tennis history. “Black Tennis History is American Tennis History and Black History is American History,” said Caldwell.

The evening of the 2020/2021 Inductee’s took viewers through this very extraordinary history, that somehow has been lost to the record books. In this vein, the BTHOF has committed to honoring individuals and organizations that have broken through barriers of race and/or poverty, that eventually led to change and success in the wonderful sport of tennis.

“Our hope,” said Caldwell, “is that you will all fall in love with Black Tennis History as we have.”

Executive Director, Black Tennis Hall of Fame, Shelia Curry emphasized the individual categories while highlighting that each of the: -Organizations, Pioneers, Contributors, Players, and Regional Legends, achieved successes in spite of facing barriers in race and/or class, thereby chipping away at the road to overall inclusion and success. Winning!

One such award, exampled by inductee Alice Marvel, a white tennis player who stood up to segregation and changed the game, her actions which led to the first African-American Grand Slam play and win for Althea Gibson who went on to many firsts after that. Inclusion. “White, green, yellow, we all need to stand up for injustice,” said Caldwell.

Past President and Inductee, Robert C. “Bob” Davis, said to the 2020/2021 Inductees, “You join a prestigious field of individuals who have made major contributions to the development of Black Tennis in America, and in programs across the world.”

“Thank you, Black Tennis Hall of Fame for including me and my artwork in your Honors, annually.”

~ George Gadson

Written By Swan Communications INC

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