By Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Photo credit: Fred Mullane/Susan Mullane
Chrissie Evert is officially a tennis Shining Star.
Hall of Famer Evert was one of several tennis legends illuminating last night’s Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program Gala.
Iconic champion Billie Jean King, HJTEP Executive Director Katrina Adams and Patrick McEnroe were all on hand as Evert received the Shining Star award at the 53rd annual Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program Gala at the Ziegfield Theater in New York City.
Rennae Stubbs a previous winner of the Shining Star Award and Milos Raonic were two of the many ATP/WTA tour players on hand for HJTEP’s annual gala. More than $1 Million was raised from the charity event to support HJTEP’s programs.
Photo credit: Fred Mullane/Susan Mullane
Luminaries from the world of tennis, celebrity tennis fans, philanthropists and supporters celebrated the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP) helping and inspiring youngsters through tennis and education at the HJTEP Annual Gala.
In addition to celebrating the success of the nearly 1,000 youngsters who benefit from the HJTEP annually, the event honored two of its most ardent supporters by presenting the Shining Star Award to Chrissie Evert and the HJTEP Corporate Award to Morgan Stanley.
Photo credit: Fred Mullane/Susan Mullane
HJTEP develops champions in tennis education and wellness, bringing tennis to youth from high-risk, low-income inner-city neighborhoods and offers opportunities for self-development, emphasizing education and a positive code of behavior.
The not-for-profit organization opens a new door for many inner-city boys and girls, ages 6-18, to learn the game of tennis. Since 1972 the numbers speak to its success with a 95% high school graduation rate, a 3.1 GPA, and 80% of graduates attending college.
