Holmes was among the founders in 1916 of the American Tennis Association (ATA).
Holmes and other representatives from dozens of black tennis clubs met in Washington, D.C., on Thanksgiving Day to create a more organized way for black youths to participate in tennis.
The group of men created the American Tennis Association.
The ATA also founded the National Tennis Championships for African Americans, which it now produces annually.
Holmes won the men's singles division of the first National Tennis Championship in its first year in 1917 as well as in 1918, 1921, and 1924.