In a league where few women—and even fewer Black women—have a seat at the table, Edy Lawson-Jackson and her daughter, Samira Jackson, have etched their names into NFL history. Together, they are the first mother-daughter duo certified as sports agents, a milestone built on resilience, determination, and the transformative power of representation in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Hailing from the heart of Baltimore, Edy Lawson-Jackson’s passion for sports and law ignited early, setting her on a trailblazing path destined to inspire generations. After graduating from Baltimore City College in 1986, she pursued a legal education at Howard University School of Law. Her commitment never wavered; Edy passed the bar exam on her first attempt—while in the final month of pregnancy with her daughter, Samira.

Hailing from the heart of Baltimore, Edy Lawson-Jackson’s passion for sports and law ignited early, setting her on a trailblazing path destined to inspire generations. After graduating from Baltimore City College in 1986, she pursued a legal education at Howard University School of Law. Her commitment never wavered; Edy passed the bar exam on her first attempt—while in the final month of pregnancy with her daughter, Samira.

In 2010, Edy achieved another historic milestone, earning her NFL Players Association (NFLPA) certification and becoming one of the few Black women authorized to represent professional football players at the highest level.

In 2010, Edy achieved another historic milestone, earning her NFL Players Association (NFLPA) certification and becoming one of the few Black women authorized to represent professional football players at the highest level.

The saying goes, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” In Samira Jackson’s case, the saying couldn’t be more fitting. Inspired by her mother’s pioneering spirit, Samira forged her own, yet remarkably similar, path. Armed with a background in corporate finance and a law degree, she witnessed firsthand the triumphs and challenges her mother faced in the world of sports representation.

The saying goes, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” In Samira Jackson’s case, the saying couldn’t be more fitting. Inspired by her mother’s pioneering spirit, Samira forged her own, yet remarkably similar, path. Armed with a background in corporate finance and a law degree, she witnessed firsthand the triumphs and challenges her mother faced in the world of sports representation.

In 2022, Samira earned her NFLPA certification and joined Edy at Affiliated Sports Advisors (ASA), officially forming the first mother-daughter agent team in NFL history. Together, they represent NFL athletes, negotiate contracts, secure marketing deals, and provide comprehensive guidance to their clients—raising the standard for what’s possible in sports representation.

In 2022, Samira earned her NFLPA certification and joined Edy at Affiliated Sports Advisors (ASA), officially forming the first mother-daughter agent team in NFL history. Together, they represent NFL athletes, negotiate contracts, secure marketing deals, and provide comprehensive guidance to their clients—raising the standard for what’s possible in sports representation.

Make no mistake: their accomplishments are no small feat. Becoming an NFL agent is a rigorous task, requiring candidates to pass a comprehensive exam, meet continuing education requirements, and demonstrate extensive knowledge of NFL regulations. Out of nearly 1,000 certified NFL agents, only 88 are women—and an even smaller fraction are Black women.

Make no mistake: their accomplishments are no small feat. Becoming an NFL agent is a rigorous task, requiring candidates to pass a comprehensive exam, meet continuing education requirements, and demonstrate extensive knowledge of NFL regulations. Out of nearly 1,000 certified NFL agents, only 88 are women—and an even smaller fraction are Black women.

Edy and Samira’s achievement shatters barriers and paves the way for greater diversity and inclusion within the industry. Reflecting on their journey, Edy expressed her pride in working alongside her daughter:

Edy and Samira’s achievement shatters barriers and paves the way for greater diversity and inclusion within the industry. Reflecting on their journey, Edy expressed her pride in working alongside her daughter:

“It’s been a long road, but to be able to do this work with my daughter is a dream come true. It’s so important for us to show that Black women belong in this space and that we can make a significant impact.

“It’s been a long road, but to be able to do this work with my daughter is a dream come true. It’s so important for us to show that Black women belong in this space and that we can make a significant impact.

Skylar Diggins-Smith is arguably one of the most dominant yet underrated players in the WNBA.

After being drafted in 2013 by the Tulsa Shock—who would eventually become the Dallas Wings—Diggins-Smith has consistently been a valuable asset to every team she’s played for.

After being drafted in 2013 by the Tulsa Shock—who would eventually become the Dallas Wings—Diggins-Smith has consistently been a valuable asset to every team she’s played for.

The six-time WNBA All-Star from Indiana has always put her best foot forward. In 2020, she became a WNBA Champion with the Phoenix Mercury — and was already a decorated USA Basketball veteran, earning gold medals at the 2012 FIBA 3×3 World Championship, the 2011 World University Games, and the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship.

The six-time WNBA All-Star from Indiana has always put her best foot forward. In 2020, she became a WNBA Champion with the Phoenix Mercury — and was already a decorated USA Basketball veteran, earning gold medals at the 2012 FIBA 3×3 World Championship, the 2011 World University Games, and the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship.

What often goes unnoticed is how much she helps others win off the court. Diggins-Smith’s commitment to community and youth has earned her the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award twice.

What often goes unnoticed is how much she helps others win off the court. Diggins-Smith’s commitment to community and youth has earned her the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award twice.

In 2015, she co-founded Shoot-4-the Sky, a nationwide basketball camp for youth ages 7 to 18. The program focused on skill development, confidence building, and mentorship, primarily for young women. It toured across the U.S., offering accessible training and inspiration to young athletes.

In 2015, she co-founded Shoot-4-the Sky, a nationwide basketball camp for youth ages 7 to 18. The program focused on skill development, confidence building, and mentorship, primarily for young women. It toured across the U.S., offering accessible training and inspiration to young athletes.

The camp eventually went on hiatus due to Diggins-Smith’s basketball career and wedding planning, but her entrepreneurial spirit never paused.

The camp eventually went on hiatus due to Diggins-Smith’s basketball career and wedding planning, but her entrepreneurial spirit never paused.

In 2017, she made history as the first basketball player—male or female—to sign with Puma Basketball in nearly 20 years, blazing a bold trail as the brand re-entered the sport. 

In 2017, she made history as the first basketball player—male or female—to sign with Puma Basketball in nearly 20 years, blazing a bold trail as the brand re-entered the sport. 

She didn’t stop there. In 2024, she elevated the partnership with the launch of her Puma Hoops capsule collection, Desert Sky. Making sure to infuse her signature style and spirit, her Puma collection merges high-performance gear with deeply personal storytelling—including a jersey dress and sneakers inspired by her journey, lifestyle, and a heartfelt message to her mother. It’s more than fashion—it’s legacy in motion.

She didn’t stop there. In 2024, she elevated the partnership with the launch of her Puma Hoops capsule collection, Desert Sky. Making sure to infuse her signature style and spirit, her Puma collection merges high-performance gear with deeply personal storytelling—including a jersey dress and sneakers inspired by her journey, lifestyle, and a heartfelt message to her mother. It’s more than fashion—it’s legacy in motion.

With a keen eye on the future, Diggins-Smith saw an opportunity to uplift those who often lack access to financial education. In 2021, she partnered with Public.com, an investing platform, to promote financial literacy and equity. Through this collaboration, she engages with over a million users, sharing her investment journey and advocating for pay equity, particularly for women of color. She also mentors college athletes on financial literacy via Public’s NIL-focused platform, One Team.

With a keen eye on the future, Diggins-Smith saw an opportunity to uplift those who often lack access to financial education. In 2021, she partnered with Public.com, an investing platform, to promote financial literacy and equity. Through this collaboration, she engages with over a million users, sharing her investment journey and advocating for pay equity, particularly for women of color. She also mentors college athletes on financial literacy via Public’s NIL-focused platform, One Team.

The partnership aligned with a personal milestone: motherhood. “With investing in particular, as a new mom, I’ve started to think a lot more about building generational wealth and building a future for my son,” she told Boardroom.

The partnership aligned with a personal milestone: motherhood. “With investing in particular, as a new mom, I’ve started to think a lot more about building generational wealth and building a future for my son,” she told Boardroom.

But it wasn’t just motherhood that inspired her. “After doing everything I can to one-up competition on the court, I’m excited to partner with Public to level the playing field for young women of color investing in the markets for the first time,” she added.

But it wasn’t just motherhood that inspired her. “After doing everything I can to one-up competition on the court, I’m excited to partner with Public to level the playing field for young women of color investing in the markets for the first time,” she added.

Skylar Diggins-Smith has also been refreshingly open about her mental health journey, using her platform to highlight the importance of therapy and emotional well-being. Her transparency and compassion show that what makes her exceptional isn’t just her athletic or entrepreneurial prowess—it’s her ability to inspire, uplift, and shape the next generation of women.

Skylar Diggins-Smith has also been refreshingly open about her mental health journey, using her platform to highlight the importance of therapy and emotional well-being. Her transparency and compassion show that what makes her exceptional isn’t just her athletic or entrepreneurial prowess—it’s her ability to inspire, uplift, and shape the next generation of women.