Surrounded by serene trees and grass covered hills is the home of the Ebony Racquet Club (ERC), located on the south east side of Raleigh, NC at the Biltmore Hills Community Center Tennis Park. In the early years, the Biltmore Hills Community was a sought-after location for elite, successful African American homeowners. A group of these elite individuals – primarily professionals and small business owners from different backgrounds – recognized that although their community was known primarily for great athletes in basketball, football and baseball, the popularity of sport of tennis was spreading and that there was an immediate need for a local tennis club. Using a collaboration of their business skills they elected a Board of Directors and, in early 1975, founded the Ebony Racquet Club, a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to promoting an appreciation of tennis, athletic excellence, and sportsmanship as well as providing a venue and popular meeting place for all interested in the sport. They petitioned the city to build tennis courts to meet the needs of the ERC. Together they withstood project barriers to see the development of these courts and the beginning of a successful organization. John Smith was elected the first president of the ERC and a tournament was held that same year. The founding board members included: Willie Sinclair, Mike Spears, William Cheeks, John Johnson Nuri Johnson, Al Newkirk, Paul Jervay, Jimmy Penny and Gerald Lappa. ERC quickly grew and, over time, would become well-established in the community, solidifying its place in the City of Raleigh’s history.

The Ebony Racquet Club was the first black tennis club that competed on a local level in Raleigh. The ERC has continued to revise and reinvent itself through 41 years of ups and downs – remaining under the direction of strong leadership committed to serving the community. Over the years many have contributed to the growth of the ERC including the aforementioned president, John Smith, followed by a host of others including Presidents Mike Morgan, Jan Sinclair, Brenda Freelaw, Donald Haith, Nicole Sullivan, Robert Braswell and Billy Battle. The ERC’s continued success has also been a direct result of the generous support from countless staff members, volunteers and contributors.
Today the ERC continues to flourish under the leadership of President Joseph Ellerbee, Vice president Deno John, Coach Chris Brown, Coach Keisha Price, Advisor Queen Hargrove and Secretaries Latonya Hargrove-Boykin and Vonda Easterling – continuing to build upon the solid foundation of the ERC by volunteering much of their time to ensure each event is a success. The activities throughout tennis season include clinics, junior and senior events, competition with area league tennis teams, team match play, and both singles and doubles tournaments. The club league captain Deno John encourages members to participate at all levels through ladder challenge competition to improve their skills for overall performance and to strive for victory.
The ERC hosts youth summer league tennis teams and supports tennis programs for those with special skills while encouraging them all to strive for excellence. The ERC believes that by instilling the appreciation of hard work, discipline and good sportsmanship in today’s youth it will develop a sense of fair play and camaraderie in tomorrow’s leaders.

Coaches Keisha Price (Coach K) and Chris Brown work with intensity to cultivate the youth in tennis, physical fitness and life lessons for a better future. Because of their great efforts, the youth are intense and passionate about acquiring the knowledge to enhance their skills to improve and succeed.
The Ebony Junior Team Tennis (JTT) program has worked with NC Tennis, the Boys and Girls Club and First Baptist Church over the course of the last 3 years. During the summer, Ebony JTT hosts summer camps for over 100 kids from their math and tennis programs. Ebony JTT currently has 8 teams: 5 junior team tennis teams ages 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 18Golds; and 3 Junior Championship teams who are in the running to advance to 2016 State Championship. The Ebony JTT program has been extremely successful with multiple teams winning and advancing to finals in End of Season Tournament play; and the 14U team placing 3rd in State Championship 2015.

The Ebony Racquet Club is most thankful to the remarkable parents that support the efforts of the coaches and displays enthusiasm and interest in their children’s tennis development. We believe that a sound tennis program requires a collaboration of great board members, coaches, players, families, and communities. We look forward to continued growth and success in the years ahead!