The Thurgood Marshall Academy (TMA) boy’s squash team is making history as they head to the high school nationals.
This predominantly Black public high school in Harlem started the TMA squash team when a group of students discovered the sport through the nonprofit StreetSquash and started playing.
They then launched a petition for the creation of an official team at TMA so that they could compete, and now they are the first all-black squad to participate in the national championships.
“Being the only all-Black team, we broke a lot of stereotypes, and it’s deeper than squash,” says Harlem Jones, a member of the team. “Squash has opened a lot of doors for me.”
“It’s a very humbling experience, just to be a part of something bigger,” says David Johnson/
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Traveling across the country to compete with teams of different backgrounds has broadened the perspectives of the Harlem Squash Team members. Allasane Diakite recalls a match against a 50-year-old opponent who taught him new things and showed him that age should not be a factor in determining someone’s abilities.
“My opponent was a 50-year-old man,” Allasane Diakite recalled of one match. “I didn’t really think nothing of it because he was up there in age, but he showed me some new things. He was a really good opponent.”
The team is thrilled to make history as the first all-black squad to compete in the National Championships. “History will be made,” says Diakite. “Best believe our name will be heard,” adds Johnson.
Muhwati expects the experience to be a proud moment in their careers.
“If I don’t shed a tear, I’ll be shocked,” said Muhwati. “It’ll be probably the most proud moment of my career in squash. To walk into that facility with these young men is going to be super special.”
The boys’ journey to the nationals serves as an inspiration for young people everywhere and a testament to the power of perseverance and support. You can donate money to their team and others through StreetSquash.org.
