Saturday, February 29, 2020 - Empowerment speaker and business executive, Forrest Tuff, received the Inspirational Speaker Award from COAN Tennis Association, Inc. during their 40th Annual Awards Banquet. The event took place at the Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, Marcia H. Moss Fellowship Hall in Atlanta, GA. As the evenings keynote speaker, he praised COAN for their efforts and emphasized succession planning, urging young leaders to take the helm.
Coan Tennis Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization that introduces tennis to adults and children. Their target audience is inner city and low-income candidates but they welcome anyone who would otherwise not have an opportunity to learn the game.
This year’s theme is “Forty Years, Serving With Love.” During the banquet (2) scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors, (15) great individuals were honored for their contributions to Coan Tennis Association, Inc., and they presented the Member of the Year Award.
Lee Bennett had the idea to form an association while he was coaching the boys junior tennis team in 1980 at Coan Park. Coan Tennis Association was established and incorporated in 1985 by Lee and six female beginner tennis players: Janet Cooper, Johnetta Stewart, Wanda Haywood, Deborah Hudgeons, Gail Jenkins and Delphine Reese.
“I was not expecting to be honored, says Tuff so it was a welcomed surprise to be recognized by such a long-standing and reputable community organization."
