08/08/2025
August Issue features Youth Writer, Levi Jefferson's article on
"Second Serve: Giving Equipment a Second Chance."
Second Serve is more than a nonprofit - it’s a movement. Founded in 2019 by sisters Ayanna and Amani Shah, Second Serve began with a simple but powerful idea: tennis should be accessible to all. What started as an effort to donate extra tennis gear has grown into a global network of more than 260 youth leaders working together to expand access to tennis and uplift underserved communities around the world.
“Our team is the heart of Second Serve,” Ayanna told me. “They’re the ones organizing donation drives, connecting with partners, and making real change in their communities.”
But all of this is more than just about playing tennis and hitting a ball - it’s about creating safe spaces and new opportunities. “For kids in under-resourced communities, it also provides a sense of belonging, and even educational and professional opportunities,” she explained.
Second Serve’s impact has already received national attention, having been featured on the Tennis Channel, ESPN, NBC Nightly News, the LA Times, and most recently on Good Day LA in May 2025.
Looking ahead, Ayanna hopes Second Serve becomes a symbol of inclusivity in tennis. “I want every kid who wants to play to have the chance,” she said. “And I want people to see how young leaders can make a real impact.”
As a Second Serve Regional President for my area since 2023, I’ve seen how strong community support can be. Thanks to generous donations from local coaches and clubs, we’ve been able to provide used tennis gear to Title 1 schools in the Southern California area. "
If you want to help or have tennis equipment to donate, please visit secondserve.org or reach out to me at [email protected]
Thank you Levi for writing about this important Non-Profit.
To read the entire article, refer to your our August Issue of Stroll.
