LAILA EDWARDS, FIRST BLACK WOMAN ON THE U.S. OLYMPIC WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM

FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO RECEIVE OLYMPIC GOLD IN ICE HOCKEY (photo: The Land)

Laila Edwards (born January 25, 2004) is an American college ice hockey player for the University of Wisconsin and a member of the United States women's national ice hockey team. She has won two World Championship medals, including gold at the 2025 World Championship and silver at the 2024 World Championship, where she was named Tournament MVP at age 20, becoming the youngest player to receive the honor. Edwards made history in 2023 as the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women's senior national team. She is also the first Black woman to score a goal for Team USA at the 2024 World Championships and at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she also became the first Black American woman to receive a gold medal in hockey. WikipediaLaila Edwards’ parents, dad Robert and mom Charone, originally expected to cheer her on from home during the 2026 Winter Olympics. But after word spread that travel costs was stopping them from attending, their Cleveland, OH, community stepped in to help.

A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $60,000, with nearly 650 donors contributing so Robert and Charone, along with close relatives, including Laila’s 91-year-old grandmother, could travel to Italy. The largest single donation, $10,000, came from hometown stars Travis and Jason Kelce. With her parents in the stands, Edwards made history. The 21-year-old Team USA standout helped secure a dramatic 2–1 overtime victory against Canada. She became the first Black woman to represent the United States in Olympic women’s hockey and the first to win gold.

Having her parents there “means everything to me,” Laila said. Charone shared, “We sacrificed so much for this dream, and to see it come true together is overwhelming.” Robert added, “We’re just humbled by the support. This was bigger than hockey this was our daughter’s moment.”

Laila Edwards’ parents, dad Robert and mom Charone, originally expected to cheer her on from home during the 2026 Winter Olympics. But after word spread that travel costs was stopping them from attending, their Cleveland, OH, community stepped in to help.

A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $60,000, with nearly 650 donors contributing so Parents Robert and Charone, along with close relatives, including Laila’s 91-year-old grandmother, could travel to Italy. The largest single donation, $10,000, came from hometown stars Travis and Jason Kelce. With her parents in the stands, Edwards made history. The 21-year-old Team USA standout helped secure a dramatic 2–1 overtime victory against Canada. She became the first Black woman to represent the United States in Olympic women’s hockey and the first to win gold.

Having her parents there “means everything to me,” Laila said. Charone shared, “We sacrificed so much for this dream, and to see it come true together is overwhelming.” Robert added, “We’re just humbled by the support. This was bigger than hockey this was our daughter’s moment.” Facebook