ATLANTA, Ga. (September 26, 2025) - For Leilah, tennis has always been more than a sport—it’s been a source of inspiration. Growing up, she admired Serena and Venus Williams, who showed her and countless others that it was possible to succeed in a sport where representation was limited. Their impact motivated her to pursue her own collegiate tennis career at Agnes Scott College.
Her time on the court, however, was not without challenges. Leilah’s college career was shaped by injuries, including a torn meniscus and recurring back issues that often kept her sidelined. Rather than letting those setbacks define her, she found new ways to stay connected to the game and her teammates.
When asked about how navigated those difficulties, she replied:
It’s been a real battle to manage that pain just to finish out my senior season. Those injuries have taken a toll on my mental health, too. It’s hard to feel like you’re helping the team when stuck on the sidelines. Thankfully, I’ve had a great support system, and that’s made all the difference.
Whether supporting from the sidelines, capturing moments through photography, or sharing her journey online, Leilah discovered new outlets for her passion and resilience.
When describing her journey, she said:
My journey started off as making natural hair videos on Instagram and YouTube during the pandemic. Throughout my endeavors, I gained a lot of support from friends and others. I found this journey to be a backbone of the uplifting community I built, but this was just the start. My natural hair videos were getting recognized by hair companies and I started collaborating with major natural hair companies. This allowed me to use my platform to encourage people that look like me to embrace their natural hair.
Content creation became a meaningful part of her identity. What began with natural hair videos on Instagram and YouTube during the pandemic quickly grew into a platform for empowerment and self-love. Over time, her content shifted to highlight the realities of being a student-athlete—mental health struggles, small victories, and the importance of community. She sought to create spaces of encouragement and honesty for athletes facing similar challenges.
Beyond the screen, Leilah emerged as a leader on her campus. She served as President of the Agnes Scott Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, represented her peers at NCAA Division III Conventions, and advocated for more mental health awareness and resources. Her work extended to the conference level as well, interning with the Collegiate Conference of the South.
Since starting at the conference, she not only continues to amplify student-athlete voices, she has also launched a Mental Health Monday series providing awareness and resources to other student-athletes, parents, and fans.
Leilah has continued to pursue her love for art since graduating in May with a B.A. degree in Studio Art with a focus on Graphic Design from Agnes Scott. While there, she developed “Healthy Art,” a creative concept blending health, sport, and self-expression.
When asked about it, she explained:
I use this creative concept to visualize the importance of health (both mentally and physically), tennis, and further creations based on text and typography. I create some silly and trendy digital art but I also create imperfect pieces. I’m proud that I’ve come to a place in my artistic journey where I’ve stopped comparing myself to other artistic and accept and embraced imperfection in my work. What sets me apart from others most is my authenticity and creativity to use my art as comfort and encouragement to others and myself.
Her art became another avenue for connection and storytelling, rooted in authenticity, that has led her to where she is today.
My advice to current students thinking about their life after sports is to give yourself grace! There are a lot of adaptations of habits that come be transferred from being a student athlete to your next chapter. You are more capable of things than you think you are so be courageous in your personal endeavors.
Today, Leilah continues her journey in athletics and communications. She serves as the Coordinator for Athletic Communications with the Collegiate Conference of the South while pursuing her master’s degree in Sport Management at the University of West Georgia. She also gives back to the game she serves as a Graduate Assistant for Agnes Scott Athletics and the tennis program, while also serving as a youth coach with the Universal Tennis Academy.
From competing on the court to creating behind the camera and leading through her voice, Leilah embodies what it means to redefine success. Her “next chapter” is one marked by resilience, creativity, and a commitment to uplifting others—a true reflection of the values at the heart of Division III athletics.