New Mural Honors Pioneering Black Tennis Player in Los Angeles

Decades-old legacy of Jimmie McDaniel, the first Black tennis player at his high school, is celebrated with a new mural on campus.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A new mural in Los Angeles honors the legacy of Jimmie McDaniel, a pioneering Black tennis player who was the first to play for his high school team at Manual Arts in the 1930s. Despite facing segregation that barred him from NCAA championships, McDaniel went on to claim several national titles. The mural's unveiling was attended by McDaniel's family, who expressed joy that his story will be preserved for future generations. Current Manual Arts tennis players say learning about McDaniel's trailblazing achievements is inspiring them to pursue their own passions.

Why it matters

The mural not only celebrates McDaniel's athletic accomplishments, but also preserves an important part of Black history that is often overlooked. In a city and sport that has historically lacked diversity, honoring pioneers like McDaniel helps to highlight the contributions of Black athletes and challenge the dominant narratives.

The details

Jimmie McDaniel was the first Black tennis player at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles in the 1930s. Despite facing segregation that prevented him from competing in NCAA championships, he went on to win several national titles. The new mural, decades in the making, was unveiled on the school's campus, with McDaniel's family in attendance to celebrate his legacy. Current Manual Arts tennis players say learning about McDaniel's trailblazing achievements has inspired them to pursue their own passions in the sport.

  • Jimmie McDaniel attended Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles in the 1930s.
  • McDaniel won several national tennis championships in the 1930s despite being barred from NCAA competitions due to segregation.
  • The new mural honoring McDaniel's legacy was unveiled on the Manual Arts High School campus in February 2026.

The players

Jimmie McDaniel

A pioneering Black tennis player who was the first to play for the Manual Arts High School team in Los Angeles in the 1930s, going on to win several national championships despite facing segregation that barred him from NCAA competitions.

Steve King

Jimmie McDaniel's son-in-law, who expressed pride in the mural honoring McDaniel's legacy and ensuring it will be preserved for future generations.

Audrey King

Jimmie McDaniel's daughter, who said the family had been waiting for this moment to celebrate her father's achievements, which he never had the chance to receive recognition for during his lifetime.

Leslie Valero

A current Manual Arts High School tennis player who said learning about McDaniel's legacy has inspired her to research more about him and follow in his footsteps.

Jerson Calderon

A member of the Manual Arts High School boys tennis team who said McDaniel's story shows that with passion and determination, students can chase their dreams, just as he did decades ago.

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What they’re saying

“Hopefully, it means his legacy will last forever. That's all we can do is tell the story and let the young people understand the story, because it's a very deep story. So, it's something that I think everybody can take something from.”

— Steve King, Jimmie McDaniel's son-in-law (abc7.com)

“I am feeling overjoyed, overwhelmed and as you can see now it's caught in my voice. But it is the thing that I think the family has been waiting for because he never got a chance.”

— Audrey King, Jimmie McDaniel's daughter (abc7.com)

“I tried it out and I made the tryouts. It was really nice. I'm kind of following in his steps. We were on the same ground, we touched the same floor, you know. Definitely made me want to research about him more.”

— Leslie Valero, Manual Arts High School tennis player (abc7.com)

“He really shows us that we can really carry on with our passions and really make it happen. Back in the day, it was really hard to chase our dreams, and he still made it possible again and again. He tried and he made it possible, and that shows us today that we can also do the same.”

— Jerson Calderon, Manual Arts High School boys tennis team member (abc7.com)

What’s next

The mural is expected to serve as a permanent tribute to Jimmie McDaniel's legacy, inspiring future generations of Manual Arts High School students to pursue their passions in tennis and beyond.

The takeaway

This mural not only honors the remarkable achievements of a pioneering Black athlete, but also helps to preserve an important chapter of Los Angeles and sports history that has long been overlooked. By celebrating trailblazers like Jimmie McDaniel, the community can challenge dominant narratives and inspire young people to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles they may face.