06/02/2026
New Resident Alert: Meet John Wilkerson 🥰
John Wilkerson is a U.S. Army veteran, Hall of Fame tennis coach, educator, and community leader whose impact has been felt throughout Houston and beyond for more than five decades.
A native of San Antonio (Go Spurs!), John attended Prairie View A&M University before serving his country in the United States Army. Following his military service, he continued his education and earned his Bachelor's degree in History from Texas Southern University.
John is best known for his remarkable contributions to the sport of tennis and his unwavering commitment to helping young people succeed. As Tennis Director at MacGregor Park in Houston's historic Third Ward, he transformed public tennis courts into a place of opportunity for countless children and families. Through free tennis lessons, mentorship, and encouragement, he helped young people develop confidence, discipline, and life skills that extended far beyond the game.
Among his many accomplishments, John coached tennis legends Zina Garrison and Lori McNeil from childhood, helping guide them to become two of the top-ranked players in the world. They made history as the first two African American women to be ranked in the world's Top 10 at the same time.
While his achievements in tennis are extraordinary, those who know John best recognize that his greatest legacy is the countless lives he touched through service, mentorship, and community involvement. Many of the young people he coached went on to become successful professionals, educators, business owners, and community leaders.
John's philosophy has always been that sports are about more than winning...they are an opportunity to build character, create opportunity, and inspire future generations.
Today, John continues to inspire others through his kindness, wisdom, resilience, and dedication to service. He and his daughter Teri, who is always by his side, are proud members of St. Paul AME Church in Round Rock, TX. John is proud to be a part of the Affinity family and looks forward to sharing his stories, friendship, and experiences to his new community.