Laila Edwards breaks barriers as first Black woman on U.S. Olympic hockey team
Laila Edwards is set to make history as the first Black woman to compete for the U.S. women’s national hockey team. Her Olympic debut is scheduled for February 5, when the team faces Czechia. Meanwhile, her family’s journey to support her has garnered significant attention—and generosity.
The Edwards family, who launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover travel and accommodation costs for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, has surpassed their original goal of $50,000. By February 3, donations had reached $56,240.
A substantial contribution came from NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, who donated $10,000. Their gift will enable ten family members to attend, including Laila's 91-year-old grandmother. Ice Hockey in Harlem also contributed $1,500 to the fundraiser. No other donors have been publicly named in connection with the campaign.
The Edwards family will now travel to Italy to watch Laila's historic Olympic appearance. Their fundraising success ensures that three generations will be present when she takes the ice. The U.S. team's first match against Czechia is set for February 5.
