Check Out Doris Obih’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Doris Obih.

Hi Doris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
40 Love Foundation was built from my experience growing up. I grew up playing tennis in this foundation called Hope For Kids, it was great. They helped with payment and I had access to a lot of resources, but the foundation dissolved when I was around 12 years old. So after, my mother and I would try to find coaches to help me continue my journey, but everyone was so expensive. I ended up just playing at a YMCA most of the time on a racquet ball court. So when I grew up, I wanted to build a foundation like the one I experienced and be able to expose tennis at a free to nominal rate to children. I don’t plan on us dissolving at all and I just want children to be able to chase their dreams with no devastating unforeseen situations. We have been up for about five years now and have been partnered with the city of Inglewood for about two years. I don’t believe I am an inspiration in any sense of the word or trying to be a hero in these kid’s lives, but I see myself as a role model on what not to do in your life, lol. I had a pretty tough childhood and made so many horrible mistakes. Some mistakes I am still learning to accept and move past. I think I just want to be a person that the kids can know that they could talk to if they ever have a problem and know that they will not be judged. Yes, they have their parents, but we didn’t tell our parents everything growing upright. I believe just having someone hear you out with open ears can go a long way.

For the parents, I just want them to know that I have the absolute best interest for their children and trust that I would be a helping hand if ever needed. I am not perfect and I don’t anyone to put me on a pedal stool as if I am. I think that’s that problem with celebrities/public figures. We glorify them and then we crucify when we find out that they are human. Well, let me be the first to say this now, I am human and don’t think anyone should look up to me. Just allow me to show you my footsteps and guide you on the mistakes that I made so you won’t make them. And for the steps that I didn’t take, let me help you through that path together if you ever need someone. Also, I definitely feel pressure to do and achieve more. I am constantly battling with my past self to do better and continue to be better, so failing is something I accept but take hard. Plus, having the youth depend on you means a lot, you definitely can’t let them down.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting and maintaining a nonprofit has been extremely hard for me in the beginning. I believe raising funds is one of the biggest struggles and also finding a team that will believe and help execute your mission. I was using my personal funds the majority of the time to keep the business up and running. This meant me working three jobs and doing LYFT on the side just to have some extra money for the kids. There were many times I wanted to quit but once we started to get kids interested, it was hard to. I couldn’t quit, I had people depending on me and I couldn’t let them down like I was. We are trying to bridge that gap in every aspect of the sport and in a child’s life. We never want a child to not do anything due to finances or any other “differences’ they may have. Our foundation is trying to do the heavy lifting behind the scenes in order to conquer any obstacles these kids may face. We want to be there to help them get through these and be their support in any way possible. Also, your team will be the ones who make you or break you. It was hard starting this alone and everyone needs help, but if they don’t have the passion for it then it would be hard for them to work like you. Your business is always your baby so really no one will work as hard as you, so you have to accept that. But in the long run, I found an incredible team who has been with me for the last couple of years.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We use tennis as a vehicle to help develop underserved kids on and off the court. We get the interest of children through tennis and expand their development with other programs that will help bridge the gap in their everyday lives. These programs include education, mentorship, community giveback and much more. I was one of these kids who needed extra help so I believe that is what sets us apart. I was our target audience and I know what these children may need at the moment. I grew up with a lot of difficulties and just having a second chance or someone to be there meant everything. I am most proud of not quitting. At times, it is hard to run a tennis organization because people do not want to support or see another sports business for kids, but it is much needed. So helping to convince people that we are just as important as other after school programs were tough.

How do you define success?
I define success by being able to change or make an impact in someone’s life. What I do is not about me at all, it is about the future of the ones that will come after me and I want to be able to be a small part in their lives that makes a positive difference. If I can do that, then I have succeeded in my mission. Let me tell you, the kids we have are so different from one another but they embrace everything about themselves. They come out on the courts unapologetically and work hard with their carefree personalities, their quirky jokes, their badge of culture, and their many stages of finding themselves. We are here for all of it and absolutely love it. When I see this, I see success.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: 40lovela.org
• Instagram: @40lovefoundation