When​‍​‌‍​‍‌ it comes to sports history, Laila Edwards is a name that will always be remembered for breaking new ground by being the first Black woman to represent the U.S. women’s national ice hockey team. At 6-foot-1, she excels in combining size, skill, and playmaking remarkably. And being picked for the 2026 Winter Olympic squad in Milan-Cortina is basically part of the rollercoaster ride that started with skating in local rinks in Ohio.

Laila, the pathfinder, has family and her dedication as her main driving forces. She remembers vividly that she was never alone in this, that she was uplifted by a group of people who saw her potential and chose to give it priority even at the expense of their own comfort. From early morning practices in Cleveland Heights to the tough choice of boarding school, the Edwards family has been the powerhouse of her ​‍​‌‍​‍‌success.

Who is Laila Edwards’ father, Robert Edwards?

Robert Edwards is the visionary who first guided his children toward the ice. Although he played baseball at the Division I level in college, his true passion was hockey, a sport he played recreationally. Robert saw the value of skating for athletic development and initially enrolled Laila and her siblings in figure skating when they were toddlers to build their foundation. However, once he saw their potential, he transitioned them into hockey, effectively launching what would become a family dynasty in the sport.

Robert was the driving force behind the logistical and developmental side of Laila’s career. He was the parent who managed the grueling schedule of youth hockey, waking up before dawn to shuttle Laila and her siblings to 6:00 a.m. practices to secure affordable ice time. He also made strategic decisions for her growth, such as having her play on boys’ teams for several years to develop her physical resilience and speed before she eventually transitioned to elite girls’ programs.

Who is Laila Edwards’ mother, Charone Gray-Edwards?

Charone Gray-Edwards is the heart of the Edwards family and her children’s most vocal advocate. While Robert focused on the technical and athletic development, Charone ensured the emotional well-being of her children. She has been a constant presence in the stands, traveling thousands of miles to cheer for Laila and her siblings. In​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the very beginning, she did a lot of work herself at the ice rink, helping to sort out the disorderly schedule of a household with energetic kids.

Charone’s devotion to her daughter’s dream captured the attention of the whole nation right before the Beijing Winter Olympics. After the family found the expenses of the trip to Italy for the Games were too high, she led the local fundraising drive to allow all the immediate family members to see Laila’s first appearance. Her persistent advocacy not only earned the support of their community in Cleveland Heights but also brought in contributions from NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, thus underscoring her resolve to be there for her daughter come what ​‍​‌‍​‍‌may.

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Who are Laila Edwards’ siblings?

Laila Edwards grew up with four siblings in a highly athletic household. Her journey has been closely intertwined with that of her older sister, Chayla Edwards. Chayla is also an elite hockey player and was Laila’s teammate at the University of Wisconsin. Together, they made history as the first Black sisters to play for the prestigious Badgers program, winning national titles side by side.

The hockey gene runs through the entire family. Her older brother, Robert “Bobby” Edwards, played the sport growing up, and her younger brother, Colson Edwards, is currently a competitive player following in his sisters’ footsteps. She also has an older sister named Britney Gray. The siblings share a tight bond, having grown up navigating the demands of high-level sports together.

What are Laila Edwards’ parents’ ethnicity and nationality?

Laila Edwards and her family are African American. Her heritage is a significant part of her identity as a barrier-breaking athlete. She has spoken candidly about the importance of representation in hockey, a sport that lacks diversity. Being the first Black woman to suit up for the U.S. senior national team is a responsibility she embraces, hoping to be the role model she wished she had growing up.

How has Laila Edwards’ family supported her career?

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Edwards family has been a strong unit working together to bring about Laila’s achievements. Hockey is a costly sport, and it needs a lot of money for gear, traveling, and ice time. Having more than one kid playing at a high level meant a very sizeable financial burden, yet Robert and Charone went through whatever changes were necessary so that lack of money never became an obstacle for their children’s growth.

Additionally, their support led them to make difficult emotional decisions. When Laila was only 13, the family chose the tough road and sent her to Bishop Kearney, a boarding school in New York, with a top-notch hockey program.

Their support remains as firm as ever nowadays since the whole family is getting ready to go to Milan-Cortina. Clearly, Laila’s Olympic dream was always the family’s ​‍​‌‍​‍‌goal.