Afshan Khan has spent her life working with children — as a teacher, a mentor, and most importantly, a passionate advocate for their growth and well-being. With a degree in Early Childhood Education and years of experience nurturing young minds, Afshan has always believed in the power of safe, supportive spaces where kids can grow — not just academically, but emotionally and physically too.

“As a mother of three boys, I never expected tennis to become such a central part of our lives. My sons picked up their first rackets at ages 7, 5, and 4. What began as weekend lessons soon became something deeper — a passion that gave them structure, joy, and a sense of belonging. Over the years, they went on to compete, win tournaments and many trophies, and build real confidence — both on and off the court. Today, they’re proud to give back by donating their time to coach and help younger players find their way, just like they did.

But the deeper we went, the more I realized how steep the path could be.

Private coaching, court time, racquets, shoes, tournament travel — over the course of 10 years, we spent nearly 25% of our household income each year just to keep them in the game. We made hard choices as a family. We skipped vacations. We delayed expenses. We found ways to make it work — not because we could afford to, but because we believed in the power of what tennis was giving our boys.

And as we stood on the sidelines, I watched young girls playing alongside my sons — girls who were growing more confident, more fearless, more focused with each match. Talking to their parents, I heard the same hopes and the same struggles — families doing whatever they could to support their daughters and sons alike. It made me realize that this wasn’t just about my kids. It was about every kid.

I knew that for my children to compete, to stay focused, and to access opportunity, we had to find a way. But I also knew many families simply couldn’t — not because they lacked talent or drive, but because competitive tennis is a financial mountain most households just can’t climb.

That’s why I started the Empower Tennis Foundation.

Because no parent should have to choose between paying bills and giving their child a chance to belong. And no child — boy or girl — should miss out on a sport that could change their life because of a price tag.

Watching my sons grow through tennis — not just as athletes, but as grounded young men who now mentor others — showed me what’s possible when kids are given access, encouragement, and a place to thrive. I want every child — especially underrepresented youth — to have that same opportunity.

Empower Tennis Foundation is my way of giving that back. Creating access. Removing barriers. Building community. And making sure tennis is a pathway — not a privilege.
Join me in this movement”

— Afshan Khan, Founder