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About Our Staff

Carmela

Bio:
Carmela Goodall, Executive Director of CREATE Tennis, Inc. is a dedicated wife and mother of two girls, both DCPS students and avid tennis players. An honors graduate of Ballou High School and former student of Howard University Carmela’s first love is actually Biology. e took advantage of the many opportunities offered by the DC Public School System. Most notably among the many opportunities offered by the DC Public School System that Carmela took advantage of; a year German Exchange Student Program, Honor society member, and a team member of the Ballou Knights Tennis Team. As the Junior Tennis Team Coordinator for the Washington Tennis Association her ties to the world of tennis run deep. Carmela coordinates Junior Team Tennis for the DC Community Tennis Associations. She actively volunteers for the USTA Mid Atlantic Section.

A Memorable Tennis Moment:
When I saw Serena Williams playing at the 2008 US Open, I daydreamed that my daughter won Wimbledon.

My Role Model:
Michelle Obama. I admire how classy she is, how secure she is with herself and her family. Michelle Obama is not afraid to speak up and say what's on her mind - and she does so with finesse. She's a strong, family oriented results getter!

Some Words to Live by:
"Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece -- by thought, choice, courage and determination."
~ John Luther ~

CREATE-ing Is:
How the lives of many children in the District of Columbia are changed when they are exposed to quality tennis instruction and given a better chance at opportunities through expert leadership.

David

Bio:
David A. Boyd is a dedicated husband and father of two, both of his children competitive young tennis players. Mr. Boyd graduated from the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, FL in 1984. A tennis scholarship recipient, he was an arts and political science major and 1989 graduate of St. Louis University in Missouri. Presently David holds a number of memberships including, the USTA, the Tennis Center at College park, MD, DC Recreation Department Volunteer Tennis Instructor and a member of the Big Brother Organization.

A Memorable Tennis Moment:
When Yannick Noah won the French Open in 1983 defeating defending champion Mats Wilander 6-2, 7-5, 7-6. This was a turning point in my life when I knew I really wanted to play tennis.

My Role Model:
Nelson Mandela. He served 27 years in prison, enduring unthinkable conditions, fighting against apartheid. When he was released in 1990 he held no ill will. He supported peace and reconciliation. He was awarded the Nobel peace prize for his tireless fight against injustice.

Some Words to Live by:
"If our expectations, if our fondest prayers and dreams are not realized we should all bear in mind that the greatest glory of living lies not in never falling but in rising up every time we fall."
~Nelson Mandela~
~ John Luther ~

CREATE-ing Is:
like Arthur Ashe. He acknowledged that while his third Grand Slam title was certainly noteworthy, black America should not raise its hopes too high just yet. "If you live in a black community and you want to be a tennis player, you have to leave it, because the black community is currently lacking in the expertise, facilities, competition and instruction." Excerpt from ~A Hard road to Glory by Arthur R. Ashe, Jr.~ Ashe was essentially correct in his assessment then and his words still ring true to a great extent today. CREATE TENNIS will change this reality in our communities.

Turner

Bio:
Mr. Milton Turner, a native Washingtonian graduated from Arch Bishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC, organizes activities for CREATE Tennis. For thirty-two years he worked as a Manager for the Giant Food Corporation where he retired. An avid tennis player and dedicated foster parent, Mr. Turner has been mentoring children in tennis in the DC Metropolitan area for 30 years! He has taught aspiring kids to use tennis as a vehicle to become successful and well rounded adults. Mr. Turner is passionate about programs that promote upwards mobility for inner city and at-risk youth. He currently holds a PTR certification and is presently under application to be certified through the Dennis van de Meer Program.

A Memorable Tennis Moment:
In 1976 being invited to the Evening Star Classic and watching Jimmy Connor’s play in the finals against Lend.

My Role Model:
Charley Taylor a hall of Famer who played for the Washington Redskins. I even skipped school to watch him practice. Charley was a very low key player but a producer.

Some Words to Live by:
"A kind word today is a word of wisdom tomorrow."

CREATE-ing Is:
Helping children build life skills!

Jeri

Bio:
Jeri Ingram Hackney, born in Washington DC, and now resides in Beltsville, MD. She attended public schools in Montgomery County, MD where her tennis career began. While in high school Jeri was the first undefeated athlete in her four years of attendance in the state of Maryland. At age 16 she finished with a #6 singles and #1 doubles USTA National ranking. Following junior competition she attended the University of Maryland where she played #1 for the tennis team, was undefeated in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), voted Most Valuable Player (MVP), and an all ACC player. Jeri played on the Women Tennis Association (WTA) Professional Tour beginning in 1990 for a period of six years and obtained a career world ranking of #130. While pursuing her career Jeri remained actively involved in other aspects of tennis. She appreciated her opportunities and took the time to give back to the sport by participating in inner city rallies, programs, exhibitions, giving inspirational speeches to juniors, as well as coaching and instruction. In 1996 she retired from the women’s professional tennis tour and became a full time coach to national, collegiate, and professional tennis players.

A Memorable Tennis Moment:
My month long tour in Africa where I played 4 tournaments in 4 weeks in 4 different countries. I performed great on the tour, but I had a real history, culture, and spiritual lesson that changed my life perspective forever. That is one of the great things about tennis, the sport is a wonderful tool to greater learning.

My Role Model:
My Aunt - Mrs. Elinore Sharp: She always is looking for the good in a situation, in people, and looking to give a helping hand without judgment.

Some Words to Live by:
"Good Attitude – Good Results, Bad Attitude – Bad Results."
~John Ingram~

CREATE-ing Is:
A refreshing vision for tennis and education as it pertains to the future of tennis and children in the Washington DC metropolitan area. With proper planning, the sky is the limit.

Yvonne

Bio:
Yvonne Massaquoi, Director of Educational Activities is a dedicated wife and mother of an honor student at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School who is currently a member of John Hopkins Center for Talent Youth and the National Youth Leadership Council. She earned a B.S. Degree in Business Management from Morris College and currently a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), pursuing a Project Management Professional Certificate (PMP). Ms. Massaquoi is devoted to promoting the broad development of cognitive, behavioral, and social capabilities of youth born into high-risk environments using a multifaceted strategy to enhance academic, social and civic engagements. Currently she also works as a Program Manager for the National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA). She is credited with managing the current learning programs operations and creates projections for needs and requirements for new learning programs.

A Memorable Tennis Moment:
The 2008 Wimbledon match between Venus and Serena Williams and the affect this event had on their father Richard Williams.

My Role Model:
I have two roles models, the first is my mother, who instilled in me the core values of life, self-love, self-respect, self-control and self-determination. The second is my husband who taught me to embrace my childhood and to appreciate my many blessings. His great will to succeed, has taught me to reflect on my childhood teachings, never rest on my laurels, approach each day as if were my last and to leave my people and the world a great legacy.

Some Words to Live by:
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
~Harriett Tubman~

CREATE-ing Is:
pride. CREATE will shape and develop the minds of our young and foster opportunity beyond expectation.

Craig

Bio:
Craig Butler, Esq. developed his love for tennis and his commitment to community service in Nanuet, New York (a suburb of New York City), where he attended school to 12th grade. Mr. Butler was introduced to tennis by accompanying his cousin, a former tennis player in the American Tennis Association, and his brother, a tennis professional in New York, to training every day. A dedicated husband and father of two, Craig is a successful attorney in Washington, DC with a practice consisting of real estate, bankruptcy and business law. During his 15-year career as an attorney he has continued his commitment to service by mentoring incarcerated juveniles and boys between the ages of 13 and 17 in his church’s mentorship program and is presently a Den Leader for his church’s Cub Scout pack and basketball coach for his son’s team.

A Memorable Tennis Moment:
Attending a tennis charity event organized by Arthur Ashe in 1991 or 1992 in Northern Virginia. I had an opportunity to see him play in-person for a few minutes and was so impressed with how fluid and effortlessly he moved. Even more memorable was when I had an opportunity to speak with him for a few minutes. Initially, I could not get a word out (not like me at all) and I remember him standing their patiently with such humility to give me time to gather myself and eventually explain how he had served as an inspiration to my life.

My Role Model:
Arthur Ashe is my role model because he understood the awesome responsibility of being a public figure and used his notoriety to elevate humanity.

Some Words to Live by:
"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

CREATE-ing Is:
a safe environment that will give youth an opportunity to achieve excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community.