All-Love Racquet Club x The Goat Collective Partnership
All-Love Racquet Club is a collective community and lifestyle brand dedicated to embracing inclusivity within sports like tennis, padle, and pickleball. Founded by Erika Bond, the club is committed to championing diversity and ensuring that every player or fan, regardless of their background, finds a welcoming and authentic space to build community and culture. To serve its mission, a pop-up series was introduced in Long Beach, CA last month with a focus on breaking down barriers and creating a more diverse and accessible environment for those who may otherwise be isolated from the world of racquet sports.
This collaboration & long term partnership sparked from The Goat Collective Co-Founder & Creative Director Malik J. Norris’ close relationship with Bond. Erika and Malik both being D1 tennis players at the illustrious Prairie View A&M University a HBCU nestled right outside of Houston, Tx. They used the experience in their college careers to curate a special environment within the tennis landscape as a whole. Erika echoed this statement to the Black Enterprise:
“I played tennis at Prairie View A&M University, a Historically Black College & University (HBCU). What I took most from that experience is how important culture and representation are for the success of our Black and Brown communities,” she said. “Not only did I gain teammates who have become lifelong friends and supporter, the people I met while studying Biology and pledging AKA (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.) have also helped shape much of who I am today.”
Tennis activations/events and partnerships with schools and foundations, All-Love and The Goat Collective both aim to provide opportunities for underrepresented youth in racquet sports. This vision is not only for Los Angeles, but as we reach into the New York tennis space with joint collaborations with the USTA in March and August of 2024.
The partnership between the All-Love Racquet Club and The GOAT Collective is poised to redefine the landscape of sports by fostering a dynamic blend of inclusivity, community, and culture. Through this collaboration, we aim to create an environment where everyone, regardless of background or skill level, feels a sense of belonging within the racquet sports community. Together, we will curate events that not only celebrate the thrill of the game but also amplify diverse voices and stories, enriching the fabric of our sporting culture. This alliance is more than a merging of entities; it is a commitment to breaking down barriers, championing unity, and collectively advancing the transformative power of sports in building stronger, more interconnected communities.