Monet Tillman Horsey, determined to make a difference, created her own gymnastics gym in 2017 with few resources, with the goal of generating chances for more Black gymnasts in the future. It’s been her ambition since she was a child.
There were only a few people in the gym when she started. She made the decision to break the pattern. She began in her dining room and progressed to a church classroom. Tillman Horsey now runs a full-service gym out of a warehouse. Her desire does not end there; she finds immense satisfaction in doing what she does, which includes coaching and mentoring the girls.
Dream Chasers Gymnastics welcomes both competitive gymnasts and females who simply want to participate in courses for fun. Tillman Horsey’s gym has grown to become Delaware’s sole Black-owned gymnastics center, with a capacity of 400 students. According to CBS News, this surge mirrors a broader trend of rising Black involvement in gymnastics.
Olympians like Simone Biles’ accomplishment serves as a great inspiration for Tillman Horsey. Biles’ ability to overcome obstacles has made her a role model for young girls, emphasizing that everything is possible.
Brianna Blake, 14, feels emboldened at Tillman Horsey’s gym, where she practices alongside girls of her racial background.
Blake’s mother saw the gym on Instagram and liked that it was Black-owned, so she thought it would be a good fit for her daughter. Tillman Horsey believes that chasing one’s passion in gymnastics should not be limited by ethnicity or race; anyone with talent and determination should pursue their dreams.
Tillman Horsey, a University of Delaware graduate, worked as a program manager for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Delaware for 17 years before leaving to pursue her passion.
The message is clear: pursue your dreams, as Tillman Horsey shows, and everything is possible.