Exploring Life & Business with Samuel Kennedy of South Atlanta Community Tennis Association

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Kennedy.

Hi Samuel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been passionate about competition, leadership, and helping people reach their potential. Growing up, basketball was my first love. I was fortunate to become an All-American basketball player in high school and college, and I graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Being inducted into both my high school’s and my college’s Hall of Fame were incredible honors, but what I value most from those experiences are the lessons in discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.

After basketball, I found a new purpose in tennis. I realized the sport could be much more than a game—it could be a way to create opportunities and change lives. That led me to become a tennis coach at South Fulton Tennis Center and eventually found the South Atlanta Community Tennis Association. My mission has been to make tennis more accessible while using it to mentor young people, strengthen communities, and develop future leaders.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for that work, including the highest honor from USTA Georgia for Outstanding Service. To me, that award represents the impact we’ve made in the community rather than an individual accomplishment.

Looking back, whether it was competing as an athlete or leading programs in the community, my journey has always been about building people, creating opportunities, and making a lasting impact. That’s what excites me about this opportunity with Voyager—I want to bring that same leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to service to a growing organization.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many people, I’ve faced challenges that tested me both personally and professionally. I’ve experienced racial barriers, financial struggles, and difficult family circumstances that required me to stay focused and keep moving forward even when things weren’t easy.

As a father of three, my family has always been my greatest motivation. Two of my children grew up playing tennis and became some of the top junior players in the state, which was an incredible source of pride. At the same time, I experienced the unimaginable loss of one of my children several years ago. That was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced. He wasn’t just my son—he was a husband and a father with a family of his own, including two sets of twins. Losing him was heartbreaking, but it also gave me a deeper appreciation for the importance of making a positive impact while we have the opportunity.

Through all of those experiences, I made a conscious decision not to let adversity define me. Instead, I used it to strengthen my commitment to serving others. I continued coaching, mentoring, and creating opportunities for underserved youth because I know how much a positive role model and a supportive community can change a young person’s life.

Those struggles taught me resilience, empathy, and perseverance. They reminded me that leadership isn’t just about success—it’s about how you respond when life is difficult. Today, I bring those lessons into everything I do, whether I’m leading a community program, mentoring young athletes, or taking on a new professional challenge. I believe that every challenge has strengthened my purpose, and that purpose continues to drive me to help others reach their full potential.

We’ve been impressed with South Atlanta Community Tennis Association, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The South Atlanta Community Tennis Association (SACTA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with a mission to help at-risk youth achieve academic and athletic success through tennis and education. For more than three decades, we’ve been committed to using tennis as a vehicle to create opportunities, develop leaders, and positively impact underserved communities throughout the City of South Fulton and the surrounding areas.

As Executive Director and Head Coach, I’ve had the privilege of leading SACTA in building programs that do far more than teach tennis. We provide affordable instruction, mentorship, academic support, leadership development, tournaments, and community outreach. Our goal is to remove the financial and social barriers that have traditionally limited access to the sport while helping young people build confidence, discipline, and life skills that will serve them well beyond the tennis court.

Over the years, SACTA has established a proven track record of serving as a conduit to higher education for underserved youth. Many of our student-athletes have earned opportunities to play collegiate tennis and pursue higher education, demonstrating that tennis can truly change the trajectory of a young person’s life.

What sets SACTA apart is our commitment to developing the whole person—not just the athlete. While we’re proud of producing state-ranked junior players and competitive athletes, we’re even more proud of developing students with strong character, leadership skills, and a commitment to giving back to their communities. Success for us is measured not only by championships but by the lives we help shape.

SACTA is also proud to be a designated National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Network member, recognized and supported nationally by the USTA for our commitment to youth development and our long-term vision for community impact. In addition, we are honored to be one of only 14 USTA Excellence Teams in the nation. This distinction provides additional coaching, equipment, training, and tournament travel opportunities for talented junior players from under-resourced communities who might otherwise never have the opportunity to experience competitive tennis.

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is earning USTA Georgia’s highest honor for Outstanding Service. While receiving that recognition was meaningful, it represents something much greater than an individual achievement—it reflects the collective impact SACTA has made in changing lives through tennis, education, and mentorship.

When people think of the South Atlanta Community Tennis Association, I want them to think of opportunity, excellence, service, and hope. Our mission has always been bigger than tennis. We’re building futures, strengthening families, and creating the next generation of leaders—one child, one family, and one community at a time. One of my greatest accomplishments though our SACTA we have had over one hundred youth to get college scholarships to various colleges and universities.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, known as 11th Street Bottom. I was the youngest of seven children—five boys and two girls—and growing up in a large family taught me early on the importance of sharing, working hard, and looking out for one another.

We didn’t have many material possessions, but we were rich in faith and family. Our lives revolved around two places: church and school. Those were our only social outlets, and they became the foundation for the values that still guide me today. The church taught me discipline, humility, service, and the importance of giving back to others.

My father had only a sixth-grade education, but he was one of the most talented and hardworking people I’ve ever known. He was a gifted musician who played guitar, sang lead, and led a gospel group called **The Mighty Wonders**. He often had me sing alongside him, and those experiences helped build my confidence at an early age. Music became a big part of my life, and I eventually became the lead singer in my church choir and later led praise and worship services.

As I grew older, my commitment to serving others continued through my church. I taught Sunday school for ten years, and that experience reinforced my passion for mentoring and helping young people grow. Looking back, I realize those early opportunities to lead, teach, and serve laid the foundation for the work I do today.

Although I grew up with limited resources, I never felt limited in what I could become. My parents taught us that integrity, faith, hard work, and perseverance mattered more than our circumstances. Those lessons carried me through my years as an All-American athlete, into my career as a coach and mentor, and eventually to founding the South Atlanta Community Tennis Association.

When I look back on my childhood, I don’t define it by poverty—I define it by the values that were instilled in me. Those values continue to shape how I lead, how I serve, and how I strive to create opportunities for the next generation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.southatlantatennis.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southatlantatennis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southatlantatennis