Venus Williams became a professional tennis player at age fourteen, beating the player ranked number fifty in the world in her first match. The first African American to reach number one as a professional in either the men's or women's game, Williams continues to appear at the very top of the professional rankings. In addition, she graduated cum laude with a degree in fashion design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and went on to partner with national retail chain Steve & Barry's to launch her athletic and casual clothing line. A multiple Grand Slam singles champion and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, Williams resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
