ATLANTA – State Representative Venola Mason (D-Stone Mountain) announces her recent community partnership with the Coan Tennis Association (CTA), the United States Tennis Association Atlanta (USTA Atlanta) and the Thele Moore American Family Insurance Agency to deliver a free tennis program to young scholars enrolled in the Horizons Atlanta program at Clark Atlanta University.
“Tennis has been a part of my life for more than twenty years,” said Rep. Mason. “This sport has taught me discipline, resilience and the confidence to compete and win on any court. I want every child in our community to experience that same sense of possibility. When we invest in our young people through access to sports, the arts and academic excellence, we are building stronger neighborhoods and a stronger Georgia. That is what this partnership is all about.”
The tennis sessions take place every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. throughout the four-week program and are offered at no cost to participants. The program introduces Horizons Atlanta scholars to the sport of tennis as part of their enrichment experience this summer. Now in its 14th year, Horizons Atlanta at Clark Atlanta University serves 78 young scholars from kindergarten through seventh grade, providing academic instruction, swimming lessons, cultural activities and social-emotional learning during its four-week summer session.
“At Horizons Atlanta Clark Atlanta University, we believe that every child deserves access to experiences that expand their world,” said Dr. Rebecca Dashiell-Mitchell, program site director of Horizons Atlanta at Clark Atlanta University. “The gift of tennis, provided through this extraordinary partnership, does exactly that. We are grateful to Representative Mason, the Coan Tennis Association, USTA Atlanta and Thele Moore American Family Insurance Agency for investing in our scholars and in our community’s future.”
Rep. Mason notes that CTA and USTA Atlanta bring experience in youth tennis development to this collaboration, ensuring that participants receive quality instruction in a safe, supportive environment. She also notes that the Thele Moore American Family Insurance Agency’s sponsorship reflects a shared commitment to protecting and investing in the next generation of Georgia’s leaders.
“The Thele Moore Agency is honored to sponsor the Horizons Tennis Program at Clark Atlanta University,” said Thele Moore, owner of the Thele Moore Agency at American Family Insurance. “Tennis teaches mental and physical skills that last a lifetime. We are proud to support programs that invest in our youth and strengthen our community.”
Horizons Atlanta at Clark Atlanta University serves scholars from kindergarten through seventh grade, many of whom attend schools in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. The summer program runs from June 2 through July 2, 2026, with sessions held Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Haven Warren Hall on the Clark Atlanta University campus.
“At USTA Atlanta, our mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis and make it accessible to all,” said Amy O’Connell, executive director of USTA Atlanta. “Partnerships like this help introduce young people to a sport that promotes physical activity, character development and lifelong engagement. We are excited to support Horizons Atlanta scholars as they discover tennis and the opportunities it can provide both on and off the court.”
“The Coan Tennis Association is proud to be in partnership to make this program a reality for youth across metro Atlanta,” said Janet Cooper, CTA coach. “Our mission is to ‘make tennis a choice but choose to serve.’ This program does both. We model the importance of volunteering and service to our youth, as well as offer them another sport that can provide future scholarship opportunities and a lifestyle of wellness.”
For more information about this program, please click here.
*Editor’s note: Rep. Mason includes a photo.
Representative Venola Mason represents the citizens of District 94, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2026.
###