You could say after growing up in the deep south of Atlanta, Georgia, to playing NCAA Division I college tennis outside of Houston, Texas, at a Historically Black College in Prairie View A&M, and finally settling in downtown Los Angeles because of a job opportunity, that Erika Bond has seen and experienced it all in the way of race relations in the United States. 

As February celebrates Black History Month, there is no one more aware of the meaning of what this landmark month represents than Bond, the founder of All-Love Racquet Club, with a goal dedicated to creating inclusive and welcoming spaces in the racquet sports community. 

All-Love Racquet Club events are open to the public and to all races, economic status and sexual orientation. The events Bond hosts are like a tennis festival celebrating the game of tennis with music, culture and fashion.

The 32-year-old Bond – who moved to Los Angeles for a job as a healthcare consultant eight years ago – says there is a direct link to tennis and what Black History Month means to her.

“To me, I think the history of Black tennis needs to be highlighted,” Bond said. “When you think of tennis, you think of Venus and Serena (Williams). You think of Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, all these people who are drawing more people to tennis and you just wonder why the sport is still perceived as a country club sport. For me, Black History Month means highlighting the contributions of these people and why they are a cut above the rest and the things that they do on, as well as off, the court.”

Bond continued: “If people don’t understand the history behind their sport or they don’t see people who look like them, then they don’t think it’s something that they can achieve greatness at or even be professional at. It’s important to see representation and it’s important to see Black and Brown individuals in places that they think they may not be able to get.”

In creating All-Love, Bond said her dream is to make tennis more accessible for everyone regardless of the color of their skin, economic status, sexual orientation, or any other factor that is typically discriminated against. That’s why 18 months ago she created her first pop-up tennis event that was a “passion fulfilling” idea hatched during the COVID-19 era.

“I had this idea to bring culture to the court to make the sport more accessible,” Bond said. “All of this started so there would be a space for people to come with music and food, culture and fashion.”

Bond’s next event is slated for February 23 at the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex (formerly known as the Rancho Cienega Recreation Center located at 5001 Obama Blvd, Los Angeles). The event is open to the public and includes tennis clinics for kids and adults.

“Tennis is a sport that has never been super diverse, or seen as accessible to a diverse audience, and that was something I was always aware of throughout my tennis journey,” Bond said. “When I got out here to L.A., I started coaching and getting into the tennis social scene and I saw that the perception of inaccessibility to the game for people of color was still here.”

Bond hosted 12 All-Love events last year, including places like Long Beach and Beverly Hills, and even expanded to New York, in Queens and Harlem. She has gained the attention of the USTA, Wilson Sporting Goods, and the sports shoe company, On, among others. She said the ultimate vision is to have a flagship location and a physical space that is a community hub for all to enjoy.

“We are trying to re-imagine what a racquet club is and looks like. So it would include art and culture and music and all the things that happen at our events,” Bond said.When Bond was thinking of a name for her venture, she liked the play on words All-Love. “It’s kind of like tennis is all about love,” she said. “Tennis should be for everyone, but it’s also love-all and that’s how you start every match. So, it’s just kind of a play on words.”

When Bond is reminded of the popular saying that love means nothing in tennis, she is quick with a response. “Yes, but it means everything too.”

To learn more about All-Love, visit theallloveclub.com.