Breaking barriers in the world of sports is not any easy task, especially in a league as male-dominated as the NFL.

Edy Lawson-Jackson and her daughter Samira Jackson did just that by becoming first-ever mother-daughter duo to be certified by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) as sports agents. Their journey will not be only historic, but in addition a testament to the resilience, exertions and dedication of Black women who’re making strides in industries where they’re underrepresented.

Edy Lawson-Jackson, a Maryland native, began her profession in sports law in the late Nineteen Eighties, with a deal with athlete representation. Throughout her profession, Edy has been an advocate for expanding opportunities for girls and people of color in the sports industry. In 2010, she earned her NFL agent certification, becoming one among the few Black women to represent skilled football players at the highest level.

For her daughter Samira, following in her mother’s footsteps was a natural step. Samira, a company finance skilled with a law degree, saw first-hand how her mother navigated the competitive world of national sports and decided to follow an analogous path. In 2022, Samira received NFLPA certificationmaking history as a member of the first mother-daughter team to represent NFL athletes.

The path to becoming an NFL agent is rigorous. Both Edy and Samira had to satisfy rigorous criteria to earn their NFLPA certifications, including passing a comprehensive exam, fulfilling continuing education requirements and demonstrating extensive knowledge of NFL regulations. The certification process is designed to make sure agents are fully prepared to represent the interests of NFL players in contract negotiations, marketing agreements and other skilled opportunities.

In an industry where women — especially Black women — are vastly underrepresented, the mother-daughter duo’s certification marks a pivotal moment. According to recent statistics, of the nearly 1,000 certified NFL agents, only 88 are womenand an excellent smaller fraction of them are black women. That makes the Jacksons’ achievement all the more remarkable, as they proceed to pave the way for future generations of ladies of color to follow of their footsteps.

Edy Lawson-Jackson’s profession in sports law spans greater than three a long time. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam in the early Nineties, she worked in a wide range of legal fields, including entertainment and sports, gaining precious experience before becoming a licensed NFLPA agent in 2010. She has represented athletes, entertainers and other high-profile clients, with a deal with expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in the industry.

In an interview for Edy reflected on her journey and the importance of working along with her daughter, “It’s been a long journey, but being able to do this work with my daughter is a dream come true. It’s really important to us to show that Black women belong in this space and that we can have a significant impact.” Samira echoed similar sentiments, stating that working along with her mother was each inspiring and empowering.

The sports industry, especially at the NFL level, has long been dominated by men. Both Edy and Samira faced challenges navigating a career that always excludes women and people of color from positions of power. Yet their determination to succeed and break barriers was unwavering.

Samira’s path to becoming an NFL agent wasn’t without its challenges. As a Black woman in corporate finance, she needed to prove herself in an industry that’s each competitive and proof against change before moving on to sports representation. But her resilience paid off, and in 2022, Samira joined her mother at Affiliated Sports Advisors (ASA), their joint firm, where they represent NFL players and proceed to develop their roster.

Edy and Samira’s historic accomplishment is greater than just a private milestone; it’s a robust reminder of the changing face of the NFL. As the first mother-daughter team to earn NFL agent certification, they’re a part of a broader movement to extend diversity and inclusivity in sports. Their work creates opportunities for other women—particularly Black women—to enter and thrive in industries where they’ve historically been excluded.

For many young women trying to break into the sports industry, Edy and Samira are role models who show that perseverance, exertions, and dedication can open doors. Their story is a testament to the power of family, heritage, and the influence of Black women in shaping industries which have long been dominated by others.

Happy Friday, folks. This weekend brings an eclectic mix of music to your listening pleasure. From hip-hop and R&B to the motivating sounds of gospel, there’s something for everybody this time.

Today, The Weeknd dropped the lead single from his upcoming album, a mesmerizing track titled “Dancing In The Flames.” Joey Bada$$ and Chlöe team up for a romantic album, “Tell Me,” the super-talented Terrace Martin drops, and Kendrick Lamar surprised fans with a brand new single that premiered on his Instagram page on September 11. Our list also includes music from Monaleo, IDK, Jordin Sparks, and more.

Check out today’s roundup of recent releases below.

Joey Bada$$ featuring Chlöe – “Tell Me”

Joey Badass and Chlöe have teamed up for a brand new single titled “Tell Me.” Check it out HERE.

Jordin Sparks – “No Limits”

Today, singer Jordin Sparks releases her fourth studio album, No Restrictions, featuring T-Pain, Shawn Stockman and more. Check it out HERE.

Terrace Martin – “Soul of Nintendo”

Talented Terrace Martin has released his recent album Soul of Nintendocombining his signature sounds of jazz, hip-hop and soul. Streaming the project HERE.

Yolanda Adams – “Sunny Days”

Sunny Days, the twelfth studio album from Grammy Award-winning artist Yolanda Adams, is out today. The album features recent singles: “Church Doors” and “Blessings.” Listen HERE.

Kendrick Lamar – “Untitled”

Kendrick Lamar has released a brand new song on his Instagram. The five-minute track was posted and not using a caption or title, with just the audio and a photograph of a pair of all-black Air Force Ones. Listen to this HERE.

I do not know – ‘2:22’

IDK releases his recent single “KiCKiN”, which is an element of a two-disc set titled 2:22and may also feature his previously released hit single “TiFFANY” featuring Gunna. Listen to this HERE.

Leon Thomas ft. Ty Dolla $ign – “Far Fetched”

Today, Leon Thomas has tapped Ty Dolla $ign to collaborate on a song called “Far Fetched.” Listen to the brand recent track HERE.

Ray Vaughn ft. SiR – “Everybody Dies”

Top Dawg Entertainment rising artist Ray Vaughn teams up with SiR on his latest single, “Everybody Dies.” Listen HERE.

The Weeknd – “Dancing in Flames”

Weekend released the single “Dancing In the Flames” together with a brand new music video on Friday the first song from his upcoming sixth album Hurry up tomorrow. Watch this HERE.

Monaleo featuring Stunna 4 Vegas – “Passenger Princess (Jibbitz)”

Monaleo, an uncompromising force in the Houston hip-hop scene, returns with the highly anticipated single “Passenger Princess.” Check it out HERE.

raises questions on AI, ethical storytelling, and the importance of informed consent. Directed by Jazmine Jones and co-produced by Olivia McKayla Ross, the film explores the true Black woman behind the avatar who helped a generation learn to type on a QWERTY keyboard.

The duo explores the story of Renée L’Espérance, who was the face of the software. She was paid as a model, but her warmth and sweetness helped her construct a fortune. Her powerful presence caused an enormous Mandela event, which made people imagine Mason Beacon was an actual person. Jones and Ross open up about their feelings about L’Espérance being almost completely erased from her contribution to culture.

“I love being uncomfortable and trying to find a way to deal with that discomfort,” Jones tells ESSENCE. “That’s something I was trained to do as a film student. But I also think that being uncomfortable can often have ethical consequences, and sometimes filmmakers sacrifice ethical integrity.”

“It was through collective organizing that I learned all about the work of heart-centered care,” Jones added. “I came from the school of thought that if you’re a filmmaker, put yourself into the work.”

Jones and McKay interact with Renée L’Espérance’s character with a caring presence in her absence that black women don’t all the time get in a virtual world rife with digital blackface. Ross feels comfortable “choosing to abandon the objective voice” that other documentarians present as gospel. “I think it’s important to give audiences people who need to be held accountable, because you so rarely get that in the media,” she explains. The film argues that “truth is actually fluid as hell.”

Behind L’Espérance’s radiant face is a trio of tech entrepreneurs. It’s unclear whether she understood what she was agreeing to when she agreed to a photograph shoot for the quilt of a software box. Their collaboration got young black kids excited concerning the web. But was it ethical? Was it fair?

“We can compare it to Aunt Jemimas and Uncle Bens. There are countless examples of how this has affected black people,” Jones says. The ambiguity reflects the confusion within the contracts of lots of the apps we are able to’t live without today. It looks as if we’ve got a alternative, but will we? Did L’Espérance have one?

“Our consent was fabricated for us,” Ross says.

The hidden details of the creative process affect many sorts of people. It identifies intersectionality within the shadows. It examines what gets neglected of a story when it’s told by a hoodie-wearing tech-bro or a wise suit. It doesn’t demonize the boys behind the software. It illuminates how narratives can puncture holes. L’Espérance wasn’t asked to look on talk shows or give TED talks.

According to Jones, the main focus is on “the struggles and erasure that black women experience,” but “there are also parallels and reflections of how the glass ceiling of Silicon Valley affects all women.”

At one point, a former partner of one in every of the executives behind the software has the chance to set the record straight, not only about L’Espérance but about himself. “Everyone sees the erasure of Renee, but I think it’s very rare that we get to talk about Sandra Blake’s contribution, and she didn’t get any compensation for her involvement,” Jones says.

McKay sees the digital landscape as the ultimate frontier of capitalist-inspired colonialism, and she or he told the audience that she plans to assist Jones clean up her digital footprint throughout the screening, organized by Stop Six Stories.

“This is the final frontier; we’re running out of land, we’re running out of resources, at least renewable resources,” Jones tells ESSENCE. “They can’t imprison people fast enough to use their bodies, so they’re kind of creating these systems, these behavior modification systems, to hypnotize you through social media and other apps and things that we use to give them things that are really valuable for free.”

Jones commented on her complicated connection to the fertile battlefield. “I really appreciate that work,” she says. “They really shaped the landscape of educational software that I grew up with.” As she fondly remembers their work, she grapples with the way it ended up on and off the screen.

“It’s also hard not to look at photos of employees and not notice that there isn’t a single black person in them.”

n is in select theaters now. Watch the trailer below.