Advisors

Catherine Xu, a second-year law student at William & Mary, is a longtime advocate for community-building through youth empowerment. A graduate of Luanda International School, she spent some of her formative years in Angola and continues to see it as home. Her connection to Angola and passion for equity in access to sport have shaped her work with First Racquet, where she serves as the lead advisor and is a founding team member. Catherine brings a thoughtful, collaborative spirit to the team, helping young leaders grow their voices and lead with purpose.

Gabriel Xu, a freshman at Johns Hopkins University (Class of 2029), is the dedicated founder of our nonprofit. With a childhood enriched by global experiences in the US, China, Australia, and Angola, he developed a passion for tennis and a deep connection with his Angolan peers. Inspired by their challenges, Gabriel began this philanthropic journey to foster global change through tennis.

Anish Row, a freshman at UT Austin (Class 2029), battled severe allergies, eczema, and asthma for 8 years. At 10, he discovered tennis, which transformed his health and outlook. Believing tennis should be accessible to all, including the underprivileged, Anish is keen to help financially challenged individuals in Angola find similar benefits through the sport.

Margaret (Maggie) Zheng, a freshman at Rice University (Class 2029), is committed to nurturing a love for tennis among underprivileged children in Angola. Having lived in Angola for two and a half years, she witnessed the severe impact of poverty on children first-hand. With five years of tennis experience, including fond memories of playing in Angola, Maggie is eager to share the excitement and joy she found in tennis with young Angolan.

Ricky Huang is a devoted tennis and soccer athlete with eleven and eight years of experience, respectively. A tech enthusiast in his free time, Ricky views sports as a holistic avenue for physical, social, and mental growth. Committed to connecting passionate athletes with essential resources, he envisions a future where every child can embrace lifelong memories created through sports

Sayuri Naha learned to love tennis while playing on the courts of Angola. Passionate about spreading her love for the sport to underprivileged communities, she continues to advocate for opportunities even while residing in the US. Sayuri wants to ensure that children in Angola still have the opportunity to learn tennis and develop their potential.

Cindy Zheng spent two and a half years in Angola, witnessing firsthand the needs of children there. She has been a long-standing champion of our cause. With six years of tennis experience, Cindy is dedicated to giving Angolan children a chance to explore the sport.

Zara Chundru started her tennis journey later than most, but fell in love with the game instantly. While navigating the unique game of tennis, she has learned the importance of teamwork, strengthened her self confidence, and developed a positive, never-give-up mindset that she keeps on and off the court. Having grown her passion for tennis over the past two years, she hopes to help the underprivileged youth in Angola spark their own love for the sport. Zara aspires to make a positive impact as an advocate for the struggling communities in Angola and is dedicated to help the organization in any way possible.

Minhao Tang, originally from China, has witnessed the limited emphasis on sports in children’s routines. While tennis and cross-country are his mainstays, he believes sports foster leadership and overall well-being. Minhao is dedicated to ensuring global sports accessibility for children, beginning with equipment access.

Advisors

Catherine Xu

Gabriel Xu

Anish Row

Maggie Zheng

Ricky Huang

Sayuri Naha

Cindy Zheng

Zara Cundru

Minhao Tang

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