Malcolm M. is building a legacy beyond the baseline

“I would love to come back and see more boys in Dallas ISD that look like me playing tennis,” said Malcolm M., senior at Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy at A. Maceo Smith. 

That exposure helped shape his college decision. Malcolm knew he wanted something different from his parents, who both attended predominantly white institutions.

“During my college search, I knew I really wanted to go to an HBCU,” Malcolm said.

At a Southern Methodist University showcase, he met  Ebonye Jones, a coach at Coppin State University, who affirmed that choice.

Jones, a Black woman from the Caribbean, stood out to Malcolm because she took interest in his character, goals, and life beyond tennis.

“She’s seen things in me that she hasn’t seen in other kids, and I think that is what drew her towards me as a person and not just Malcolm the tennis player,” he said.

Malcolm accepted a full-ride scholarship to play tennis at Coppin State University and is also a recipient of the HBCU Project Scholarship.

Looking ahead, Malcolm plans to pursue a career in medicine, with a focus on internal medicine or anesthesiology.

What began as just something fun to do with a man who was not even allowed to learn the game with others has ended in a history-making legacy for Malcolm in Dallas ISD.

“If I would sum up my legacy, consistency brings results,” he said.