Ayan Broomfield on Building Community at the Miami Open and Beyond with Ayan’s Aces

At the intersection of sport, culture, and community, Ayan Broomfield is redefining what representation looks like in traditionally exclusive spaces.

Through her growing initiative, Ayan’s Aces, she has created a powerful platform that brings women of color together at some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events—from the U.S. Open to Formula 1, and now the Miami Open. With a focus on access, visibility, and meaningful connection, Broomfield continues to expand her influence beyond tennis, seamlessly blending fashion, storytelling, and cultural advocacy.

In this exclusive interview with Miami Living, she shares the inspiration behind bringing Ayan’s Aces to Miami, the evolution of her mission, and her vision for building a global community rooted in inclusion and experience.

ML. You’re bringing Ayan’s Aces to the Miami Open this season; what inspired you to expand the initiative there, and what impact are you hoping to create in the stands?

AB. Bringing Ayan’s Aces to the Miami Open felt like such a natural step. Miami is one of the most vibrant, diverse cities in the world, and the energy here is incredible. I wanted to create a space where women of color could come together, experience tennis at the highest level, and feel like they truly belong in that environment. The goal is always bigger than just attending a match, it’s really about building community in the stands and making sure the crowd reflects the diversity of the sport and the culture around it.

ML. Ayan’s Aces has already brought thousands of women of color to tournaments. How have you seen representation shift since launching the initiative?

AB. It’s been really beautiful to watch. When I first started Ayan’s Aces, the idea was simply to create access and community. Over time, I’ve started to see more women of color not just attending tournaments, but showing up confidently, bringing friends, posting about it, and feeling like they belong in those spaces. Representation starts with visibility, and when people see themselves reflected in the stands, it changes the entire atmosphere of the sport.

ML. Last year you honored Althea Gibson’s legacy around the US Open. Why was it important for you to highlight that moment in tennis history?

AB. Honoring Althea Gibson was incredibly important to me because so much of what we see in tennis today exists because of the barriers she broke. She opened doors in a sport that historically didn’t welcome Black athletes, and her legacy deserves to be celebrated loudly. I think it’s important that new generations of fans understand the history that shaped the sport and recognize the women who made it possible for so many of us to be here today, on and off the court.

ML. Your U.S. Open suites drew notable attendees like Issa Rae and Olandria. How do partnerships and community-building moments like these amplify your mission?

AB. Moments like that are powerful because they bring different communities together around the sport. When amazing people show up, they’re not just attending a match. They’re actively  helping spotlight the idea that tennis culture can be inclusive, exciting, and connected to so many other spaces like entertainment, fashion, and media. It creates conversations and visibility that help push the mission forward.

ML. You’ve expanded Ayan’s Aces beyond tennis into other spaces, including Formula 1. How do you decide where the initiative goes next? And is it solely your decision?

AB. A lot of it comes down to culture and access. If there’s a space where women of color aren’t traditionally centered but the experience is incredible, I’m interested in finding ways to bring our community there. It’s definitely not just my decision. I’m constantly listening to the community, partners, and friends around me. Also, I get great feedback from the girls  when they attend Ayan's Aces activations.  The growth of Ayan’s Aces has really been shaped by the collective energy of the people involved.

ML. You’ve also made waves in fashion, attending shows for brands like Hermès and Thom Browne. How does fashion intersect with your work in sports and storytelling?

AB. Fashion is another form of storytelling for me. Just like sport, it communicates identity, culture, and creativity. When I attend events or tournaments, what I wear becomes part of the narrative so I really enjoy highlighting designers I admire or bringing a different perspective to traditional sports spaces. It’s a way to merge culture, sport, and personal expression all at once.

ML. During your U.S. Open appearances, you exclusively wore Black designers. How intentional is fashion as a platform for advocacy in your career?

AB. It’s very intentional. Fashion has such a powerful platform, and I think it’s important to use it to uplift designers who deserve visibility. Wearing Black designers during the U.S. Open was a way to celebrate creativity within our community while also bringing those designers into conversations happening on global stages. It’s a small but meaningful way to support the ecosystem around culture and representation.

ML. As Ayan’s Aces continues to grow globally, what’s your long-term vision for the initiative, and what’s next on the horizon as you expand its reach beyond tennis and into new cultural spaces?

AB. Long term, I want Ayan’s Aces to become a global community that connects women of color through sport, culture, and shared experiences. Tennis will always be at the heart of it, but the vision is bigger than that because it’s about showing up in spaces where we haven’t always been centered and creating opportunities for connection. The future is really about expanding internationally, partnering with more cultural platforms, and continuing to build experiences that bring people together in meaningful ways.

Follow Ayan Broomfield on Instagram @ayan.broomfield to stay inspired by her work, events, and community initiatives.

By ML staff. Images courtesy of Matthew Calvis