Reviewed by: Brenna McIntosh
How one AAMU professor is bringing tennis to underserved communities
Reading time: 5 minutes
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Originally from Kenya, Dr. Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky spent most of her days outdoors, creating new games and learning the art of play with her friends.
Now, she’s on a mission to bring that creative energy to Huntsville’s underserved communities. Read on to learn more about her story, including how she was recently named a Community Champion by Redstone Federal Credit Union.
Making a difference in the Huntsville community
Meet Dr. Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky, AAMU Professor
Dr. Janet is originally from Kitale, Kenya. She grew up in a community where she learned the value of sports and active play from an early age.
“As children, we created our own equipment because our parents weren’t able to afford it. We had to use our imaginations and make up new games.
I grew up in an environment without TV and social media. We just loved being outside and getting creative.”
Dr. Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky
Even though Dr. Janet spent countless hours of her childhood playing many games, she never got to try her hand at tennis until she was in college.
During high school, her teacher discouraged her from trying tennis. He said that she was known as “the hockey player,” and she needed to focus on one sport.
However, when Dr. Janet started her college career at Kenyatta University, she decided to major in education and had the opportunity to specialize in tennis.
She immediately fell in love with the sport. After graduating, she scored a position at an all-girls school and introduced and taught tennis there. In 2008, she decided to move to the United States to earn her PhD in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Pedagogy and Physical Education.
She’s currently an Associate Professor at Alabama A&M University in the Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance.
Helping underserved communities through tennis
According to Dr. Janet, tennis isn’t a sport that is particularly prominent in underserved communities, but she’s on a mission to change that.
For years, she’s been running the Action Kids Summer camps, which last 10 days and include tennis lessons and games, guided activities and conversations with experts on mental and physical health.
“Through Action Kids Summer Camps, we are cultivating healthy habits in these children at a young age, so they can carry this knowledge with them and even educate their parents.”
Dr. Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky
Dr. Janet has also seen the significant impact the simple act of playing can have on children:
“One time, when we were practicing jumping rope, I saw a boy hanging back from the rest of the group, crying to himself. He said, ‘I don’t know how to jump rope because my parents don’t teach me how to play.’
We assume play is natural to children, but many of them don’t have a safe environment to get outside and play. I find a lot of joy in introducing them to play and watching them have fun.”
Dr. Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky
Redstone Federal Credit Union loves highlighting positive stories in our community. Submit your nominations for their 2025 Community Champion awards.
How you can support Dr. Janet + her summer camps
If you want to support the incredible work Dr. Janet is doing through Action Kids Summer Camps, here’s how you can help:
- Consider donating to Action Kids Summer Camp. Funding allows Dr. Janet and her team to get the equipment, resources and skilled staff they need.
- Ask about volunteer opportunities.
Submit your recommendations for Redstone Federal Credit Union’s 2025 Community Champions
Dr. Janet was so honored and appreciative to have her work recognized by Redstone Federal Credit Union through the Community Champion Award:
“It was amazing to see that my work had been validated by a company so prominent in the community.
There have been times I have felt so overwhelmed and discouraged. Redstone reminded me that we are doing impactful work, and there’s no need to give up—we need to keep moving forward.”
Dr. Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky
Redstone is excited to announce that nominations open February 17 for their 3rd Community Champions Awards!
Do you know a Redstone member who selflessly invests their time, resources and passion to uplift our community? Tell Redstone about these remarkable individuals who dedicate themselves to improving their community!
Nominations are open from February 17 through March 16, 2025.
Starting Feb. 17, submit your nomination—click here.
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