Questions & Answers with Essence Smith in celebration of Black History Month

Unfortunately, at the time, you didn’t see too many after-school activities within the confines of my neighborhood or even surrounding neighborhoods. You would have to travel a bit. 

That was kind of my story with anything I did growing up. I even had to pass maybe 15 to 20 schools to get to the elementary school that I went to, which was on the north side, to make sure that I was receiving the proper resources and just duty of care.

As a Black girl from the south side of Chicago, my parents new the disparities that existed in the city and the politics that affect disenfranchised communities. So they worked really hard to make sure I was able to experience the best of what the city had to offer.

My mom found out about this program at Midtown. She started taking me there and I fell in love with the sport… It was something I had a niche for. I played in high school and then I red shirted in college. That’s when I was like, Okay. These girls are real serious. I don’t know if I’m going to commit my whole life to this. But I love tennis!

USTA Chicago: What is it about tennis?

Essence: I’m a singles girl and… it’s just you, the ball and your opponent. Right? It’s kind of like: you, your technique, what you’ve practiced and then you put it to play. I love that sense of being self-reliant. 

It’s also a sport where you can just release whatever else you have going on. It’s very mentally assuring for me. I can just leave it all on the court. 

USTA Chicago: What do you hope people get out of ELMS Tennis Club?

Essence: Access. Being a Black girl who was introduced to the sport, I didn’t see a lot of me. I always say it’s a very gate-kept sport, and that’s how I introduce it. Before we start playing, at the tennis club, we talk about the ethos and the mission around ETC, which is an acronym for ELMS Tennis Club. 

It’s super simple, but it’s so needed. There are a lot of different sports and resources out there that are very healing. Like I said, for me, when you’re playing tennis and get in the mode, it has its healing power, being able to release and let it all go—especially minorities should have access to things like that—because we are the demographic that does have a lot of different stressors. 

A lot of times with tennis, there are so many access barriers, whether it being the racquet is expensive, having to have a membership in some club… Even when you go into the south and west sides of our city, the courts aren’t kept up like [the courts] on the north side. 

There are just a lot of barriers that don’t allow my people to experience something that has given me such great joy. I want people to feel like tennis is for them. 

USTA Chicago: What would you tell someone who’s interested in joining your club?

Essence: That this is a place for them. You can be advanced, intermediate, beginner, never even seen a tennis ball but it’s something you’ve heard about. You will feel right at home at ELMS Tennis Club. 

We have different pros that help facilitate the instruction. We put the beginners together and then we put the intermediates and the advanced players together. We really do facilitate a really welcoming, communal environment. There’s no judgment. There’s music. It’s recreational. It’s light. It’s fun, and it’s a way for people to meet like-minded individuals without pressure. 

USTA Chicago: How can people join ETC?

Essence: Social media is the best way right now. Our handle on Instagram is @elmstennisclub. We meet monthly. It’s not on a recurring day. I announce it typically a week before the “Link-Up” happens. RSVPs go pretty fast. 

USTA Chicago: What does the future hold for ETC?

Essence: My club is sponsored by Wilson. We just got renewed for the spring season. So people can be on the lookout for Link-Ups being announced for February, March and April. I’m just looking to continually expand through different partnerships. 

USTA Chicago: You seem like you’re always working. What else do you enjoy doing outside of tennis?

Essence: To be frank, I like not doing anything. Because it’s always something. So when I do have that sense of solitude and I don’t have anything on my calendar and I have full reign to do whatever I please, that’s something I take pride in. 

Of course, spending quality time with friends and family. Reading. I love to travel. Spend time with my dog. So I think slow mornings and slow pace is something I really take pride in. I really do. 

USTA Chicago: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Essence: On the theme of Black History Month and community… Just not being afraid to take up space in places that may not be traditionally set out for us, and when I say us, I do mean people of color and Black people specifically.

I hear all the time from people who do come to ETC, ‘Man I always wanted to play tennis. I just never really had the access. I didn’t even know the first step. It’s so expensive.’

To be very frank, it feels like a very whitewashed sport, and when you see that, you don’t feel like you’re wanted. 

I just want to encourage Black people and people of color to not be afraid to try something new because of the systems that have been put it into place. Step out on faith. Take up space and do it confidently. Although it may be a little uncomfortable at times, know that your presence and being there is a form of resistance in and of itself.