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Serena’s example: Tennis icon’s impact felt in Black America

FILE - United States' Serena Williams holds the trophy after winning over her sister Venus in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. Now that Williams, 40, has indicated she plans to hang up her tennis racket for good following the U.S. Open, sports analysts will take stock of her reign as one of the greatest athletes of all time. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

FILE - United States' Serena Williams serves to compatriot Nicole Gibbs during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill, File)

FILE - United States' Serena Williams sits with her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., as they look on during a Fed Cup qualifying tennis match Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Everett, Wash. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

FILE - Serena Williams attends the Balmain Ready To Wear Fall/Winter 2022-2023 fashion collection, unveiled during the Fashion Week in Paris, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Serena Williams, center left, and sister, Venus, pose with the members of the Compton Sounders drill team after attending a dedication ceremony of the Lueders Park tennis courts Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Compton, Calif. The courts were dedicated in their name. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

FILE - Serena Williams holds the U.S. Open tennis women's singles championship trophy during a visit to the 103rd floor of the Empire State Building, Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, in New York. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

FILE - U.S. tennis player Serena Williams, center right, Britain's tennis player Andy Murray, second from right, Kim Sears, right, and U.S. actress Sarah Jessica Parker, center left, watches the Burberry Prorsum show with Britain's Alexa Chung, left, during London Fashion Week, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, in London. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

FILE - Serena Williams from US returns the ball to Shuai Peng from China during a Madrid Open tennis tournament match in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

File - Serena Williams acknowledges cheers after showing her Spring 2015 collection during Fashion Week on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 in New York. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

FILE - Serena Williams of the U.S. signs autographs for fans after defeating Garbine Muguruza of Spain in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File)

FILE - American tennis players, Venus, left, and Serena Williams smile during a press conference following their match at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia, January 21, 1998. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Steve Holland, File)

FILE - Serena Williams of the U.S celebrates a point against Amara Safikovic of Switzerland during their women's singles match on day two of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, June 28, 2016. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

FILE - Serena Williams from U.S. returns the ball to Sara Errani from Italy during the Madrid Open tennis tournament, in Madrid Saturday, May 11, 2013. After nearly three decades in the public eye, few can match Serena Williams' array of accomplishments, medals and awards. Through it all, the 23-time Grand Slam title winner hasn't let the public forget that she's a Black American woman who embraces her responsibility as a beacon for her people. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza, File)

Serena’s example: Tennis icon’s impact felt in Black America