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Vicky Wight

@vwight22

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Some people spend their lives trying to become the best in the world. Zina Garrison spent hers learning what to do with everything the world gave her.

A tennis court in Houston. A coach who taught her for free. A mother whose death changed the course of her life. The pressure of being told she could become the next Althea Gibson. The weight of being a Black woman in a sport where she often had to prove that she belonged.

The victories, the Olympic gold, the Wimbledon final, and the private struggles that existed when the cameras were gone. Looking back now, Garrison seems less interested in what she achieved than in what she can pass on.

“It’s funny. I never wanted to be number one. I didn’t want the pressure, but I always wanted to be number one as far as giving back to my community because my community gave back so much.”

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Written by @lotusmarpessa

That idea began long before Garrison became a professional tennis player.

At MacGregor Park in Houston, her former coach John Wilkerson taught her through a free public program. His lesson extended beyond the tennis court: once the children learned the basics, they had a responsibility to teach others and give back.

It became a principle Garrison carried with her throughout her life.

“I’m very fortunate because I grew up playing tennis in the public park. John Wilkerson taught me how to play tennis at McGregor Park in Houston, Texas, for free. He believed that once we learned the basics, we had a responsibility to teach others, and that was the way we would give back to him. I’ve lived by that principle ever since. My love has always been to help people.”

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That promise has now come full circle.

The Zina Garrison Academy provides 45 weeks of free programming each year for young people throughout the Houston area.

Tennis remains at its center, but the academy has grown into something much broader: college preparation, wellness and nutrition lessons, interactive gardening, ACE training and other programs designed to give children tools that extend beyond the court.

The academy is also looking to expand into communities across greater Houston, extending the reach of the opportunity that first sh by @vwight22

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a month ago

Thank you, HollyShorts Film Festival! ZINA 🏆🏆🏆 Best Sports Doc! 🏆🏆🏆😻🎾👟 by @vwight22

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a month ago

Over the last year-ish I’ve had the great honor of interviewing some of the most iconic individuals in service of making a short documentary about the magical ZINA GARRISON. Last weekend we got to celebrate Zina at the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival, and it was excellent! Thank you, SDFF! @sebastopoldocs

Also, incredible giant thank you thank you thank you to producer Serena Williams, and interviewees Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Lori McNeil, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Clyde Drexler, Carl Lewis, and the sublime Roy S. Johnson!
@serenawilliams @billiejeanking @martinanavratilova @chrissieevert @jjoynerkersee @carl_lewis_official @roysj @ninetwosix @mcneil8970 by @vwight22

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6 months ago

☘️❤️💚 by @vwight22

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6 months ago

Besides being a profoundly talented actor and an excellent human being, Isiah made wine. A year ago, we made plans to drink a bottle of his wine, WHITLOCK, in Ireland. How lucky I am those plans came to pass on a gorgeous sunny day in Roaringwater Bay. ☘️💔 by @vwight22

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6 months ago

☘️❤️ by @vwight22

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a year ago

☘️❤️ by @vwight22

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a year ago

🧡🥾 taken in Grand Canyon by @vwight22

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2 years ago

🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧♥️♥️♥️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 by @vwight22

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3 years ago

So thrilled again and again with the incredible response to the magic created by @elliekemper @lukegrimes @nicosantos @juliashiplett @gus_birney @instabanbenito @bentylercook Shayvawn Webster, Blythe Danner, @katherinecenter and my indomitable crew. Thank you beautiful world for recognizing all the hard work! Top 10 in 81 countries! 😮🤗 Thank you! ♥️🍁♥️ by @vwight22

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3 years ago

Thank YOU for watching!! ♥️❤️♥️❤️ I feel so fortunate to have been able to make a movie about love, joy, friendship, family, and hiking!! by @vwight22

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3 years ago

Big enthusiastic shout out to all things summer and Souleil Organic Wine! These boutique, beautiful wine makers very generously offered their delicious wine and we featured it in our “dinner for one” scene!♥️🍷 by @vwight22

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3 years ago