Venus and Serena Williams talk being role models for African Americans in Harper’s Bazaar’s Legacy Issue
By Monet Sarault // Black Women // EEW Magazine Online
Cop a gander at Venus and Serena Williams, the ultimate symbols of fierceness and Black pride,who are bringing all their beauty, influence, and gorgeous melanin to Harper’s Bazaar’s Legacy Issue—and we love to see it.
The athletically gifted tennis players have been dominating courts for years. Venus made her professional tennis debut in 1994 and Serena followed in 1995. Over more than 20 years, the two have amassed an impressive combined 48 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles, and four Olympic gold medals each. Venus is now 41, and Serena is 40, and neither is showing any signs of slowing down yet.
Credit: Renell Medrano/Harper’s Bazaar
Beyond their impressiveness on the court, they have built platforms off the court too and serve as role models for Black women everywhere—something the Oscar-nominated film, King Richard, brings into focus.
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The biopic follows a young Venus and Serena, as their father and tennis coach, Richard Williams, shapes their game and their character, helping mold them into the champions they are today. The movie offers positive depictions of the Black family related to the power of belief, hard work, and discipline to rise above racism and economic disadvantages. The empowering themes resonate with African Americans especially—something the Williams sisters understand and acknowledge.
Credit: Renell Medrano/Harper’s Bazaar
“Obviously we’re an African American family, and it’s important for people to see African American families in that dynamic,” said Venus in a joint profile with her sister. Though she points out that their family is “super unique,” there is a thread of repeatability interwoven into the film that earned a whopping six Academy Award nominations.
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Though both women are currently active tennis players, if they never hit another tennis ball, their legacy is solidified. Even so, Serena said, “That’s something I don’t think about,” adding, “I don’t want to think about what I’m leaving. I just think about who I am every single day behind closed doors and behind cameras—and that’s what I focus on.”
Whether they think about it or not, Venus and Serena are paving the way for the next generation of Black women to dream bigger, aim higher, and achieve more. The sisters are busy running fashion labels, building a successful interior design company, investing in organizations and future sports teams, and much more.
As inspiring as these two role models may be, Venus told Harper’s Bazaar, “I’m so inspired by other change-makers, too.” Among the things that light Venus up inside is giving back and helping others. “I love mentoring,” she said. “I love passing on what I know.”
The phenomenal women, who were raised Jehovah’s Witness, have a deep-rooted honor for God, family, and the legions of fans worldwide that hold them in such high regard.
