Caldwell Café vol. X
HU Alumnus, Journalist, Professor and Author Shares his Story

Recently, Hampton University professor Doug Smith shared his new book, Whirlwind: The Godfather of Black Tennis, at the Caldwell Cafe in the TV studio in Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications on the campus of Hampton University.

Smith, former sports writer for USA Today teaches journalism courses at Scripps Howard Schoolof Journalism and Communications. Smith's desire to write doesn't stop there. Smith is the co-author of Zina, My Life in Women's Tennis, the life story of former tennis pro Zina Garrison. On Nov. 4, Smith discussed Whirlwind: The Godfather of Black Tennis and autographed copies of the book. The event was free and open to the public. Light refreshments were served. Whirlwind: The Godfather of Black Tennis, is a biography of the late Dr. Robert Walter Johnson. Johnson was a physician who built a tennis court in his backyard in Lynchburg, Va. He trained and developed promising black tennis players - including Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson - in the 1940s and 1950s.

More than 40 people heard firsthand the author explore the book through his eyes. The event was presented by Caldwell Café. Earl Caldwell, a professor and nationally renowned journalist, created Caldwell Cafe. It was designed for students to be exposed to media and journalism professionals in a relaxed environment.

For more information, please contact Earl Caldwell at (757) 727-2020 or via e-mail at earl.caldwell@hamptonu.edu