Black History Month 2026: Community Impact Hub leader John Borden reflects on tennis as an ‘unexpected anchor’

When John Borden first picked up a tennis racquet at 9 years old in West Philadelphia, he couldn't have fathomed the profound impact the sport would have on his story. Now the chief executive officer of Tennis Memphis, a community-based organization that’s one of 10 USTA Foundation Community Impact Hub pilot locations, Borden hopes to share the transformative power of tennis with more young people and communities.

In honor of Black History Month, Borden reflects on how tennis shaped him as a person and player—and the crucial role representation played in his success.

“Tennis was the most unexpected anchor in my life,” Borden said. “Not only was it something that kept me focused, but it gave me so many other skills that I never thought that I would imagine. I get to a point in my career where I can then start understanding those things, packaging them and using them to serve in my capacity as a leader in the tennis industry.”

Tennis Memphis offers after school and summer youth programs, free tennis clinics and outreach programs, while also running several City of Memphis public tennis centers. The organization currently serves six active communities, but under Borden’s leadership, that coverage is expanding to 11.

While one might assume that a CEO position wouldn’t allow for time on the court, Borden proves the opposite. His colleague shared that Borden is regularly playing on the courts with community members, oftentimes without them knowing his executive position.

Franklin Tiafoe, John Borden, and Frances Tiafoe at the USTA Mid-Atlantic Centennial Gala. Photo Credit by Bryan Dozier.

In Borden’s eyes, engaging with the community is an essential part of his job. Being an active force in his community not only sets an example for young people around him, but Borden said he’s able to also see himself reflected in the children participating.

“You can only imagine what is possible by what you're exposed to. Black women brought me into this sport, and when you see someone who is doing something that you do, it gives you a star or a fixed point.

Photo of Althea Gibson and Jackie Robinson framed in John Borden's office. Photo by AP, courtesy of John Borden.

“I have a picture on my wall of Althea Gibson and Jackie Robinson,” Borden said, glancing upward at the wall past the webcam.

“What I draw from both of them is that when it comes to the very visible and structural obstacles, they were able to not let them overly burden their purpose or calling. I try to take a bit of that spirit into my leadership.”

From the beginning, Borden saw excellence in his community, and he continues seeing excellence in the communities he serves. As a leader, his core focus is ensuring his programs have the necessary resources to fully realize that excellence—and he says the Community Impact Hubs are helping facilitate that goal.

“By and large, the gap is just connecting the resources,” Borden said. “The Community Impact Hub, by its design, is about wrapping its arms around the entirety of the communities that it's in.

“What these kids have is special. And we want to give them every opportunity to succeed, not just because they're talented young athletes and students, but because we're also making an investment in the future of our society.”