[Tuesday, November 24, 2020] – New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) is saddened to learn of the passing of long-time Board Member and organizational mentor, Mayor David N. Dinkins. We are honored that Mayor Dinkins chose to devote his time and efforts to bettering the lives of NYC youth through his work with NYJTL. Mayor Dinkins served on the Board of NYJTL for 36 years – only pausing during his years serving as Manhattan Borough President and Mayor of New York City.
His kindness radiated most brightly when working directly with children. He deeply believed in the core mission of NYJTL of developing the character of youth through tennis and education and championed our work to provide these services free of charge to New York City’s most vulnerable populations.
A role model in and out of office, he buried his beloved wife, Joyce Dinkins, last month after 67 years of marriage and will now join her to rest in peace together. He always adoringly referred to his wife as “his bride.”
Professionally, he holds the honor of serving as NYC’s first African-American Mayor. While in office and among his various other achievements, he negotiated the deal to create Arthur Ashe Stadium and helped ensure that NYC remained the host of the US Open, cementing the legacy of NYJTL visionary co-founder Arthur Ashe and ensuring that this global event remained in NYC.
Skip Hartman, NYJTL co-founder and close friend of Mayor Dinkins, said the following: “NYJTL has lost a great supporter. Tennis has lost an enthusiastic participant and devoted leader. I have lost the best friend a person could have. David, Joyce, and their family will always be loved by us.”
Mayor Dinkins’ devotion to NYC and its people is captured in the following quote. “The life of a city must endure. This city is about dignity and decency, it’s about the hope and determination of working people struggling to make a better life for their children, and their children’s children. My friends the gorgeous mosaic is alive.”
His legacy lives on. In honor of his passing, NYJTL would like to rename the NYJTL Mayor’s Cup to the David Dinkins Cup. The David Dinkins Cup is the largest free inter-scholastic tennis tournament in the nation.
May he rest in peace.