USTA Foundation, Reginald F. Lewis Foundation announce inaugural recipients of Reginald F. Lewis Game Changer Award

The USTA Foundation and the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation have announced Sam Kennedy of Atlanta and Katie Salgado of Phoenix as the two recipients of the inaugural Reginald F. Lewis Game Changer Award. Both honorees were recognized on Monday at the 2026 US Open.

Established earlier this year, the Reginald F. Lewis Game Changer Award recognizes coaches, educators, and mentors within the USTA Foundation’s national network of community organizations. The award honors individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to guiding the next generation of leaders, empowering them with the tools and support needed to thrive both on and off the tennis court.

Sam Kennedy is the CEO at the South Atlanta Community Tennis Association. For over four decades, Kennedy has worked to empower young people from under-resourced communities through sports and education, helping to secure college scholarships for more than 50 students and guiding junior and adult tennis teams to championship titles.

Katie Salgado is senior director of education at Phoenix After School Sports (PASS), where she leads the college readiness program and connects students with universities, scholarships, and summer opportunities that can change their trajectories. Salgado is also a USPTA certified tennis coach, a PhD candidate at Arizona State University and a former Fullbright scholar.

Nominated by youth participants in their programs, the honorees were selected from a pool of more than 200 nominations. Selection was based on their positive influence on youth development, personal growth, and impact beyond tennis. In addition to a trip to the 2026 US Open, each recipient was awarded a $10,000 grant to advance youth development initiatives within their respective organizations.

The USTA Foundation and Reginald F. Lewis Game Changer Award at the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/USTA.

Reginald F. Lewis was a pioneering trailblazer and the first African American to lead a billion-dollar company following his historic 1987 acquisition of Beatrice International Foods. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he co-founded Wall Street's first African-American law firm before establishing TLC Group, L.P., where he executed record-shattering leveraged buyouts. Beyond his business acumen, Lewis was a devoted philanthropist whose legacy lives on through the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, dedicated to investing in youth and creating a more equitable society. Guided by his mantra, "Keep going, no matter what," his life remains a cornerstone of American business history, highlighting a legacy of ambition, tenacity, and the power of preparation.

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