How Aisha Stith is Bringing More Players to the Court
Aisha Stith and friends at a Pickleballin’ Lifestyle Club event.
Black History Month is a time to honor the changemakers shaping the future, and in the world of pickleball, Aisha Stith is doing just that. Based in Atlanta, she’s not just playing the game; she’s making sure more people, especially in Black communities, get a chance to play, too.
As the founder of Pickleballin Lifestyle Club (PLC), Aisha has introduced thousands to the sport. Her mission? Make pickleball accessible, welcoming, and fun for everyone.
From Curiosity to Passion
Aisha’s journey into pickleball started with a sound, a sharp, rhythmic pop coming from a local park. She had no idea what it was, so she did what anyone would do: Googled “pop-sounding tennis”. That search led her to pickleball, and she was on the court the next day.
She’d played plenty of sports before: ice hockey, swimming, gymnastics, soccer, and basketball, but nothing every quite stuck. Pickleball was different.
“This is the first sport in life where I can see myself progressing,” she shares. “I use my story as inspiration for those who say, ‘I’m not athletic.’ If I can do it, anyone can.”
Making Pickleball More Inclusive
Aisha Stith at a Ladies Athletic Club of Atlanta event.
The pickleball scene in Atlanta is diverse, but Aisha knows there’s still work to do when it comes to representation on a national level.
“Our organization should be on every sports channel simply because of the number of people we’ve introduced to pickleball. Shapeshifting is an understatement—we’ve introduced thousands to this American sport,” she says.
Her goal? More Black players. More communities playing. More doors opening.
Why Pickleball is More Than a Sport
For Aisha, it wasn’t just the game that initially attracted her to pickleball, it was the fashion, the fun, and most importantly, the inclusivity.
“Community means everyone—every body type, background, and ability level,” she says. “I’ve played with individuals who are differently abled, and they are some of the most amazing players I’ve met. Pickleball challenges the status quo because everyone has a place here.”
A Sport That Changes Lives
There isn’t a day that Aisha isn’t talking about pickleball, playing pickleball, or introducing someone new to the game. She sees it as a vehicle for change—both physically and mentally. Over the past year and a half, she has lost 60 pounds, crediting the sport for keeping her active and engaged..
Her advice to newcomers? “Have fun with it. This sport can change your life. And don’t be surprised if you get schooled by an 80-year-old—I do all the time!”
The Future of Pickleball: More Representation, More Stories
The co-founders of Pickleballin’ Lifestyle Club (Pictured from left to right: Stephanie Allen-Tunsil, Aisha Stith, Lauren N’Namdi, Sunja Leon)
Aisha envisions a future where stories like hers are front and center, in documentaries, on TV, and in communities nationwide.
She calls on municipalities and organizations to recognize the potential of supporting initiatives like hers, ones that actively bring diversity and new energy to the sport.
“Our organization has introduced at least 1,000 people to pickleball in just two years. I don’t know many groups that can say that,” she says.
And she’s not stopping anytime soon.
A Motto for the Court—and for Life
Aisha lives by a simple philosophy: “Upward mobility - it’s a great gift given to us all.”
She even has an alter ego on the court, “Sandy Stith,” a playful reminder to keep working on her sportsmanship (because let’s be honest, we all have our moments!).
From introducing thousands to the sport to building a vibrant, inclusive community, Aisha Stith is building a movement. And if you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than her story.
You can follow Aisha and Pickleballin’ Lifestyle Club on Instagram to stay up to date with their events happening in Atlanta, Miami, and more cities to come in 2025.
Know Someone Making an Impact in Pickleball?
Aisha’s story is just one of many that deserve to be told. If you know someone who is helping shape the future of pickleball, we’d love to hear about them.
