In their own words: Kim Coston on the joys of tennis and giving back

As we celebrate Black History Month throughout February, we look toward leaders in tennis who are working to spread this sport far and wide, reaching deep into communities to impact youth and adults on many levels. This month, you'll meet USTA national volunteer leaders who are telling their first-person stories and who recognize the influences family, friends, teachers and coaches have had on the direction their lives and careers have taken—and how that direction is positively impacting the newest generations. Today, meet Kim McMillon Coston.

I started playing tennis as an adult in 1991, captaining what I believe was the first NTRP 2.5 women’s “public parks” team in Charlotte, N.C. We were a group of ladies of all ages and backgrounds who had just picked up the game and thought we were better than we actually were! What is most important today, is still important… we were having fun, created new friendships, and involved in organized play. 

We played two teams from local clubs, home and away. We had an 0-4 record, losing every match—but we just had the BEST time. We stayed together as a team, secured our own coach, Calvin Davis, Jr., of the Tennis Advancement Program. Eventually, we reached our goal of winning the local league as 3.0 players, which was played at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, going all the way to the USTA Nationals for 3.0 in Palm Desert, Calif. We lost in the finals, but it was an incredible experience. I continue to play USTA League tennis, interclub, and the occasional tournament for fun. 

I’m so thankful to be able to give back to this sport that has given so much to me. I just completed a two-year term as president of USTA North Carolina—the first person of color to serve in this capacity. I’m also completing my second year of the 2025-2026 term as co-chair of the USTA Southern’s Schools Committee and the USTA National Volunteer Engagement Committee, where I chair the mentoring sub-committee.

I’m honored to be part of the USTA, which is committed to diversity, inclusion and expanding access to opportunity. In today’s social and political climate, we are, sadly, seeing more barriers being erected for historically underserved communities—some barriers that took generations to dismantle.

Black History Month provides an important opportunity to reflect on the full history of America—including painful and uncomfortable truths—from slavery and segregation, to the progress of desegregation and expanded access, to powerful evidence of progress such as the election of the first Black president of the United States.

February is a time to honor the resilience, sacrifices, contributions and leadership of Black Americans who helped shape this country.