The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Tolliver, Pres/CEO, St. Edmund’s Redevelopment Corporation in Chicago, has made a $100,000 donation to XS Tennis and Education Foundation (XSTEF), a not-for-profit organization providing Chicago’s underserved youth with an enriching after-school safe-haven and athletic/academic pathway to college.
XSTEF was founded in 2005 by Kamau Murray, who is only the 3rd African American to coach a pro to a Grand Slam Title. He currently coaches Sloan Stephens who was the 2017 U.S. Open Champion. Since 2008 XSTEF has sent 47 students to college on tennis scholarships, with many more in the current pipeline. The combined value of the scholarships the students have received is $9 million.
In 2018, XSTEF moved into its first permanent home, a $16 million facility, the third largest indoor and outdoor facility in the United States. It has 12 consecutive indoor courts, the longest stretch of courts in the world, along with 15 outdoor courts, including 4 clay courts. The facility is equipped with a 10,000 square foot fitness center, designed to optimize the sports performance of the youth, while also possessing three academic classrooms to enable the youth to thrive academically to their on-court success.
Dr. Tolliver is delighted to have an indoor court named in his honor. Featured in the photo of Tolliver presenting the $100,000 check is Kamau Murray and two youth who recently moved to Chicago from New Jersey for the specific purpose of being coached by Murray.
UBE members are making a difference through philanthropy. Combat racism by supporting initiatives and organizations committed to breaking down barriers and opening the doors of opportunity for BiPOCs (black, indigenous and people of color).
