This post was originally published on Defender Network
By ReShonda Tate
In the fast-paced world of youth sports, mothers often serve as the unsung backbone, managing everything from practices to scholarships and now a growing financial frontier. Enter Black Sports Moms, an organization dedicated to empowering mothers to navigate the complexities of their children’s athletic careers.
Co-founders Lachauna Edwards and Andrea Odom are leading the charge to ensure that Black mothers are not just spectators but key players in shaping the future of their student-athletes.
The concept for Black Sports Moms emerged after an organic collaboration between Edwards and Odom, fueled by a shared passion for helping mothers. A well-known public relations professional, Edwards initially launched a platform during Black History Month to highlight the work of “mom-agers,” moms who balance parenting with managing their children’s careers. This initiative sparked Odom to connect with Edwards, an attorney with a civil rights background. Edwards, whose legal experience in contracts and name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, found that the sports world needed more resources to help mothers protect their children’s interests. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into a movement.
“It was nothing but a Godsend,” Odom explained. “We complement each other so well, and the response has been overwhelming. There’s a clear gap in the industry when it comes to supporting Black mothers in sports. These women have been looking for this kind of guidance and support.”
Filling the Gap
While many athletes credit their mothers for their success, the industry has never fully embraced or formalized their roles. For years, Black mothers have juggled their children’s sporting endeavors without the formal training or tools needed to navigate NIL deals, contracts and career decisions. That’s where Black Sports Moms fills that gap with resources, education and community.
The organization provides a comprehensive suite of services for mothers at various stages of their children’s athletic journeys. Whether their child is just beginning, entering the recruiting process, or negotiating their first professional contract, there is something for every mother. The platform offers educational courses on negotiating NIL contracts, managing a brand and building confidence in advocating for their child’s best interests.
A Comprehensive Approach
The most exciting part? Black Sports Moms aims to keep wealth and knowledge in the family. Odom explained, “We show moms who want to represent their children how to become certified agents. That means they don’t have to pay someone else to handle negotiations. Instead, they can keep that money and responsibility in-house.”
But the impact of Black Sports Moms goes beyond financial empowerment. It’s also about shifting the narrative, especially for women historically excluded from important decision-making tables. By providing personal and professional growth tools, Black Sports Moms helps mothers become informed, confident advocates for their children’s futures. And with the introduction of their upcoming conference on July 19, which has already sold out multiple times, the movement continues to gain momentum.
“Every mother who comes to us is looking for information to help their children succeed. Some of them want to manage their kids’ careers, while others just want to understand the ins and outs of NIL,” Edwards said. “What we’re building here is about creating a community where we empower and uplift each other.”
The first Black Sports Moms conference, scheduled for July 19 at the Post Oak Hotel, will welcome mothers from across the country—California, Florida, Texas and beyond—to a weekend of learning, networking, and empowerment. The conference will feature experts in athlete management, financial planning, and mental health, along with keynote speaker Kim Stroud, mother of the Texans’ star quarterback C.J. Stroud.
The conference’s popularity already has the founders planning for future cities such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago. The duo was recently featured at EssenceFest after word spread about the organization.
What began as a passion project has now blossomed into a national movement, drawing interest from major sponsors, sports figures, and even national publications.
“We didn’t imagine this would grow so quickly,” said Edwards. “We thought we were creating a small space for moms to support each other. But it’s turned into something much bigger, and it’s exciting to see what’s next.”For more information, visit https://blacksportsmoms.com/
