United Soccer Coaches and the Black Soccer Coaches Community is proud to celebrate Black History Month by honoring Yaneash Donaldson, the new Chair of the Black Soccer Coaches Community. Yaneash is the owner of Soul & Sole, a Community Organization. She is the Girls Soccer Program Director at St. Francis Episcopal School and has served more than 15 years as an educator in Mathematics and Physical Education. Yaneash played soccer at Clemson University, Florida International University, and the W-League and has served as a coach at all levels of the game.
Hear from Yaneash below:
I am honored to be included in the Black History Month feature for United Soccer Coaches. I owe a lot to the game of soccer. Growing up, my parents Lorne and Judith Donaldson encouraged my brother (Julian) and me to be active. When I say active, I am referring to athletics, academics, and most importantly community. We were raised in Colorado. Since both my parents are Jamaican, it was a cultural norm to love the game of football (as we call it) from a very young age. My parents were always adamant about us being involved in sports (of our choice), the arts, and cultural festivals, all while keeping education at the forefront. From a very young age, I developed a love and respect for all of the different cultures around me. Many thanks to my mom and aunts for exposing me to different museums, libraries, and cultural celebrations. My dad would take us to the mountains, to play soccer and teach us the fine art of seasoning jerk chicken. Together, we would have open conversations about society, listen to an array of music, and bond with our family and friends over the best Jamaican food ever! These communal gatherings are cemented as the foundation of our youth. It was where I learned the most about my family, how the world sees me, and how I see myself. There is a unique bond in connecting with different people.
History shapes our lives, our society and how future generations will perceive the world. Black history is essential and my parents instilled the importance of knowing where I came from and inspired me to learn about individuals in the black community who paved the way for us. I was intrigued by storytelling and always wanted to hear about the experiences my parents and loved ones had in Jamaica and America. In school, I was fortunate to learn about Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, Rosa Parks, Soujourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and many others. At home I watched old film of Pele which unveiled a new realm of football to me. In person, we watched Wolde Harris, Walter Boyd, Taifour Diane, Robin Fraser and many other former Colorado Foxes stars dazzle the field. Personally, I wanted to defend like Thori Staples , one of the few black women’s soccer players on USA, or a Formiga from Brazil. I was inspired most by my parents, and my family. They came from a rich culture and immigrated to the USA. I witnessed my dad coming home from coaching or from teaching as an NSCAA (United Soccer Coaches) instructor. I was mesmerized by mom’s ability to effortlessly organize extravagant parties and unite people from all walks of life. We inherited their love for learning and their love for community.
Individuals strive to improve the world in various ways, whether through creative expression, advocating for equal rights, or pursuing their deep-rooted passions. It is essential to stay connected to the generations who have paved the way while also being mindful of the lasting history we will one day leave behind. For me, Black history is a daily celebration. Simply put, Black history is everybody’s history.