My name is Corinne Chau. I am a high school student who has been playing tennis almost my whole life! To honor the legacy of African Americans in tennis-- especially the memory of Dr. Robert "Whirlwind" Johnson-- I created a literacy project called the Whirlwind Reading Challenge. My mission is to raise money to renovate Dr. J's house and turn it into a museum (see picture on left). As of August 2020, I raised $3,314 and I got to hit on Dr. Johnson's legendary tennis court. Click here to see a videotaped interview.
On August 22, 2021, I hosted the Gibson-Ashe Mixed Doubles Tournament in Washington, DC (click here to sign-up to play). The player fees that were donated for this tennis event brought the amount donated to the Whirlwind Johnson Foundation to $4,389!
But, here is how all of this began. Back in 2017, when I was the runner-up in the Girls 12s Singles Final of the 100th Annual ATA National Tournament (this is me with my trophy!!!), I saw a documentary about Althea Gibson. That is how I found out about Dr. Robert "Whirlwind" Johnson.
Dr. J was incredible! Without him and his friend, Dr. Hubert Eaton,Miss Althea would not have become a tennis legend! Without him developing the ATA Junior Development Program, Arthur Ashemay not have become another amazing tennis legend! As a medical doctor and as a tennis pioneer, Dr. Johnson helped so many people. They paved the way for me, now it's my turn!
When I found out that the Whirlwind Johnson Foundation was raising money to restore Dr. Johnson’s house and the tennis court in his backyard in Lynchburg, Virginia, I wanted to help. The tennis court has been successfully restored, now it's time to restore the house and make it into a museum!
To help raise money for the house, I have created a read-a-thon called the “Whirlwind Reading Challenge.” When I'm not doing school work (and I have a LOT of schoolwork), I am often working on this project. I will keep reading through February (which is Black History Month) and raise money through May (National Tennis Month). I was supposed to end back October 2020 but, because of Covid-19, I kept going (I read even more because we were quarantined at home) . My goal was to finish with at least 1,000 pages and to raise at least $1,000 but I have gone beyond that and want to raise as much money as I can.
I am asking for your help. Please give what you can. If you would like, scroll down to the piggybank in the DONORS SECTION to donate online or write a check to the Whirlwind Johnson Foundation and mail it to:
Corinne Chau Creator & Project Leader I am the creator and project leader of the Whirlwind Reading Challenge! My love for tennis led me to using this opportunity to spread awareness of the work Dr. Johnson and his friend, Dr. Eaton did. I also want to help raise money for the Whirlwind Johnson Foundation so we can preserve this historic landmark which will help people learn more about the history of African Americans in tennis.
Volunteer Hours: 157 hrs. Number of Titles I've Read: 40 Total Pages So Far: 2,101 Final: $4,389.00
Teen Contributors
The Teen Contributors who played in the Junior Exhibition Match of the Gibson-Ashe Mixed Doubles Tournament were vital to the event's success.
Donors
Donors are super important to the Challenge! Your generosity will help the Whirlwind Johnson Foundation and its goal to make Dr. Johnson's house into a museum.