Every Wednesday night for the past seven years, Rob Perry has offered free tennis lessons to local youth at Campbell Park via the nonprofit Sowing Seeds Tennis, Inc.
The veteran instructor has taught tennis for 25 years; he started the nonprofit in 2018 as a vehicle for helping underserved children to develop meaningful values, achieve academic success, and learn critical life skills in a safe environment.
When a recent incident involving racist remarks and threats interrupted one of Coach Perry’s October workshops, he rallied the community to take a stand.
Perry said the individual complained of not seeing any white children on the court that evening and threatened to bring a group of “his friends and people” to keep what he labeled “future murderers, thugs, and gang bangers” out of “his” sport.
The former #1-ranked Florida state tennis champ took to Facebook to call for support in standing with him to protect the local youth. Parents showed up at the next lesson, and Perry says the community has continued to drop by the Wednesday night classes.
Dr. Keesha Benson, a former parent of a tennis student taught by Coach Perry, made sure to come out to show support.
“Our children took tennis lessons from Rob in the past – [he’s a] phenomenal coach and mentor to youth in our community. This is one of those ‘not on our watch’ moments,” Benson shared.
Esther Sanni, president of the St. Petersburg NAACP, made sure to be on the scene after Coach Perry reached out for support, saying it was important to take a stand “whether the threats were intentional, or whether the threats were to ensure that he change venues.”
The NAACP’s Political Action Committee Chair, Derek Cooper, hailed the community’s united front, issuing “a heartfelt thank you to the citizens of South St. Petersburg—who stood tall, proud, and united at Campbell Park.”
The incident was brought to the attention of the St. Petersburg Recreation and Programming Superintendent, Rick Craft. The community concerns that reached his desk resulted in the police department’s increased monitoring of the park during lessons, “to make sure there is no threat or escalation,” Craft stated via email.
Perry said the police are still keeping watch since the incident.
While the bully left without harming anyone, Perry shared, “I was more disappointed that he would say those types of things within earshot of kids,” which he said bothered him more than the empty threats and intimidation.
Perry thanked the community by way of Facebook, as awareness of the incident sparked awareness and donations to the organization. The coach said SST had been able to purchase much-needed equipment and supplies for the youth with those donations.
On Saturday, December 13, Coach Perry was recognized by the St. Petersburg National Black Nurses Association, receiving a 2025 Community Impact Award alongside Senator Darryl Rouson and Reverend Kenneth Irby.
For Perry, founding Sowing Seeds Tennis has given him the opportunity to “show those kids that I’m there for them, no matter what.”
“I want to empower those kids. I want those kids to know that they can be whoever they want to be, they can do whatever they want to do, and that the sky is the limit for them.”
Those interested in supporting the organization candonate on the website and also learn more about registering for the organization’s 19th Annual Charity Tennis Event (happening in April 2026).
Learn more about the classes offered by Sowing Seeds Tennis, including the free youth lessons at Campbell Park on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and offerings for tots and adults at https://www.sowingseedstennis.org.
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