About Us

Our mission is to develop champions in tennis, education and wellness.

The Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (HJTEP), is a not-for-profit organization that has kept its doors open nearly 365 days a week for the past 50 years to boys and girls who reside in the high-risk, low-income neighborhood of Central Harlem, and other parts of NYC. The majority of our student-athlete population are students of color. During the school year we serve 800+/- students, and enroll between 150-300 students in our summer programs.

What our student-athletes experience on the courts, and in our education & wellness programs, develops the whole child—in sports, school and life. Tennis teaches kids essential life skills, sportsmanship, self-discipline, social and emotional competence, as well as how to fight obesity and lead healthier lives. Each week, they also dedicate time to improving their academic excellence and communication skills, working on self-development, and a consistently supported positive code of conduct.  We leverage tennis as a medium to provide academic and athletic support, and to promote physical and mental wellness among a diverse group of inner-city youth.

Champions in school, tennis, and life, our success is measured holistically: encapsulating what children do on the court, how they perform in the classroom, and how they navigate their futures. Participation in HJTEP's enrichment programs instills students with confidence, strengthens executive functioning skills and character to help them become leaders in their communities and beyond.

Review our 2021 Annual Report.

Our Student-Athletes

HJTEP youth take tennis seriously, knowing it will enrich their lives. Equally important, our program emphasizes educational assessment and excellence, wellness and nutritional support, opportunities for self-development and character building through a positive code of conduct. As they perfect their game and apply the values we teach, they become productive citizens in school, career and life.

• 25% earn tennis scholarships to leading colleges
• 65% receive non-athletic financial aid
• 80% of HJTEP graduates attend college at leading private and public institutions

Our Graduates

Our graduates enroll at top colleges and universities, including:

• Colby
• Columbia University
• Dartmouth College
• Hampton University
• Harvard University
• Howard University
• Morehouse College
• Mt. Holyoke
• NYU
• Rutgers University
• Syracuse University
• Temple University
• Tulane University
• Xavier University of LABuild Champions in Tennis and Life

Build Champions in Tennis and Life

We rely on financial support from individuals and institutions to provide equal access to the sport of tennis and our proven educational and wellness programs for our neighborhood youth.