Meet Phillip Kim

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Phillip Kim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Phillip, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share the story of the incredible people in my life who have shown me unparalleled generosity and kindness. I must begin by talking about my Godmother, Mary Tabuchi, who became not only a best friend but also a second mother to me when I was 19.

But to truly understand the depth of her impact on me, I have to go back further. I grew up in a home that was broken by tragedy — the loss of my younger brother when he was just six years old. This heartache left my mother struggling with mental health challenges, and my father, an immigrant, was ill-equipped to handle the emotional toll. As a result, I drifted through life, feeling lost and uncertain, until I was blessed to be brought to safe ground by Mary.

When I came into her life, I was a shell of the person I am today. I had become worn down, emotionally fragile, and unkempt from years of hardship and homelessness. Mary never judged me. She never once made me feel less than or unwelcome. She welcomed me with open arms, despite the pain and emotional turmoil I carried with me.

What made her generosity even more remarkable was that Mary, a Japanese woman, embraced me — a Korean — without hesitation, despite the historical animosity between our cultures. She never let anything, including race, stand in the way of her compassion. In fact, she showed me the power of love and unity, not division.

Each week, Mary demonstrated what it meant to be truly generous. She fed me, yes, but she also invited me into every part of her life, teaching me in the process how a kind and generous person lives. This was all so new to me — a stark contrast to the survival mode I had been living in for so long. Mary didn’t just provide for me physically; she offered me emotional stability and a sense of belonging that I had longed for.

Her husband, Kenny, was just as loving and generous. Together, they took me in as if I were their own son. They gave me the opportunity for a new life, one built on love, trust, and selflessness. The warmth and care they showed me didn’t just transform my present; it healed parts of me I had long forgotten.

Looking back now, I can see that Mary and Kenny gave me more than just a roof over my head — they gave me the chance to grow, to heal, and to understand what it truly means to give. Their generosity changed my life in ways I will never fully be able to express, and I carry their example with me every day. The kindness they showed me has inspired me to become a more compassionate person, and I am forever grateful for their love and generosity.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As the Executive Director of LoveSetMatch, a nonprofit organization providing S.T.E.M.-based tennis and fitness education to underserved youth and adults in Los Angeles County, I’ve found a deep sense of purpose both on and off the court. Tennis has been more than just a sport; it has been a life-changing journey. For me, tennis is therapy, a stress reliever, and a constant source of joy. It’s where I find focus and peace, and where I’ve learned resilience, patience, and how to gracefully handle both victories and setbacks. The lessons I’ve learned through tennis have inspired me to create similar opportunities for underserved youth and families across Los Angeles.

My journey into nonprofit work began with years of experience as a tennis pro, including my time as the Tennis Professional Instructor at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena (formerly the Ritz Carlton). There, I saw firsthand how access to tennis could enhance fitness, longevity, and social connections for those who could afford it. It was a privilege to witness, but it also made me realize the disparity in access. I dreamed of extending these same benefits to those with limited resources, believing that tennis could be a powerful tool for positive change in young lives.

Through LoveSetMatch, I’ve witnessed incredible transformations among the kids we serve. One memory that stands out is of a young boy who started with us as a shy, reserved child who spent much of his free time indoors. Over the course of two years, he not only became more physically fit but also grew more confident. He started competing in local tournaments and developed a positive outlook on life. His mother told me that tennis helped him manage his emotions and taught him resilience. Hearing her words fills me with pride and reminds me every day why I’m so passionate about the work we do at LoveSetMatch—because we are making a real difference in the lives of children and families.

In 2022, LoveSetMatch reached a significant milestone when we were accepted as a National Junior Tennis and Learning Organization (NJTL). This recognition, shared by only 200+ organizations across the nation—including those founded by icons like Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Sloane Stephens—was a proud moment for me and the entire LoveSetMatch team. Through this affiliation, we are able to strengthen our mission to make tennis and a healthy lifestyle accessible to everyone, especially those with limited resources.

Our work is further supported by partnerships with LA County Parks and Recreation, where we serve as a Core Community Partner, and with local schools for P.E. and after-school programs. Through these collaborations, LoveSetMatch brings our S.T.E.M.-based tennis and fitness programs directly into the communities and classrooms where they’re needed most. Many of our classes are free or donation-based, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to participation. In our P.E. classes and after-school sessions, we eliminate transportation challenges for students eager to join in. This approach helps us reach as many children and families as possible, providing opportunities for growth and development right where they are. Using S.T.E.M. concepts, we help each child who plays with us the education to walk back into the classroom a little smarter and ready for successful learning.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey to date, I can pinpoint three qualities that have had the most impact: resilience, empathy, and adaptability.

Resilience: Throughout my journey, there have been countless setbacks—whether personal challenges or obstacles in the nonprofit world. What has kept me moving forward is resilience: the ability to bounce back, stay focused on my mission, and not let failures define me. I’ve learned that setbacks, however hurtful, are often opportunities for growth and that persistence is key to achieving any meaningful goal.
One of my core values is that Longevity breeds success.
If you’re early in your journey, understand that perfection is not real and failure is part of the process. Don’t be afraid to stumble. We all experience setbacks, but the true measure of growth lies in learning to fall forward, using each misstep as an opportunity to progress rather than retreat. Instead, see each challenge as a chance to learn. Build mental toughness like a tennis player facing a tough match—embrace each challenge as part of the game. Just as a rally isn’t always won in a straight line, success often requires adjusting your strategy, staying focused after each point, and pushing through the tough games to ultimately claim victory.

Empathy: Our work with LoveSetMatch, especially with underserved communities, has shown me that empathy is crucial in our team. It’s not enough to simply provide services or programs even if they are free; it’s about truly understanding the needs of those we serve, learning their stories, seeing the world from their perspective, and responding with compassion. Empathy helps build strong relationships and creates program leaders that truly make an impact.
To develop empathy, listen more than you speak. Spend time with the people you want to serve, and learn about their struggles and dreams. Come and volunteer, be present, and allow yourself to connect with others in meaningful ways. The more you understand people’s lives, the more effective and understanding you can be in creating solutions.


Adaptability: The world around us is constantly changing, especially in working with youth development. I’ve had to adapt to new challenges, learn new skills, work with Governmental and educational requirements and pivot when things didn’t go as planned. The key to long-term success lies in staying true to what matters most while being flexible enough to adapt your approach when needed.
Embrace change and be willing to experiment. Take a chance on people. Look beyond immediate qualifications or past experiences and see the promise, dedication, or untapped talent in someone. Don’t be afraid to try new things and fail forward.
For those starting their journey, my advice is simple: stay curious, stay compassionate, and never stop learning. The combination of resilience, empathy, and adaptability will serve you well in both the inevitable challenges and the triumphs along the way.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and we’re always looking to partner with individuals, organizations, and businesses who share our passion for youth development, education, fitness, and empowering communities. At one campus, we recently partnered with a wonderful Golf programs on campus and have combined our tennis education with their golf initiative to create something truly special for kids.

We’re especially interested in working with:

– Local schools or educational programs to integrate tennis and fitness into their curriculum at public, private or home schools
– **Community organizations or youth groups** that focus on health, wellness, or personal development.
– **Businesses or sponsors** that want to make a meaningful impact through financial support or resources.
– **Tennis or racquet sport professionals and fitness experts** who are passionate about mentoring and teaching.
And most importantly, Volunteers and advocates who believe in the transformative power of sports and education.

If you’re reading this and want to collaborate, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out via lovesetmatch.org Let’s explore how we can work together to inspire and empower others!

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