Serena Williams Builds Schools in Jamaica and Across Africa

She not only builds on the tennis courts, but she also builds in other countries! Tennis great Serena Williams has built schools in Jamaica and Africa, according to Black Press USA.

Williams partnered with the nonprofit Helping Hands Jamaica to help build the Marsh Elementary School in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica. She has also built grade schools in Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe in conjunction with Build Africa.

Williams also has a role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She has partnered with organizations such as Beyond the Boroughs Scholarship Fund, The Equal Justice Initiative, The Caliber Foundation, and Build Africa Schools.

A world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. She’s come back from major injuries to win international titles and persevered to become one of the top tennis players in history. A savvy entrepreneur, Serena has pursued her love of fashion through designing and managing a successful line of clothing, handbags, and jewelry. Serena Ventures has investments in over 30 companies across multiple industries. including businesses that touch e-commerce, food & beverage, fashion, health & wellness, social good, and more.

“In 2014, I launched Serena Ventures with the mission of giving opportunities to founders across an array of industries. Serena Ventures invests in companies that embrace diverse leadership, individual empowerment, creativity, and opportunity,” Williams said in a statement posted on her Serena Ventures website.

“Serena Ventures focuses on early-stage companies and allowing them to be heard. As we grow, we hope to mentor young founders and take burgeoning entrepreneurs to the next level,” she stated. “Serena Ventures extends relationships, encourages collaboration among portfolio companies, and expands partnership opportunities across my vast network. Similar to many of the companies we have invested in, we are just getting started and are hoping to make a difference.”

Williams holds the most Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles combined among active players. She has 39 Grand Slam titles. In 2016, she earned almost $29 million in prize money and endorsements making her the highest-paid female athlete in 2016. She did it again in 2017 with earnings of $27 million when she was the only woman on Forbes‘ list of the 100 highest-paid athletes. She was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine in December 2015. This year she was ranked 63rd in Forbes‘ World’s Highest-Paid Athletes list.