Maia Chaka facts for kids
Maia Chaka is a former official in the National Football League (NFL). She made history as the first Black woman hired by the NFL to be an on-field official. She was also the third woman to become an NFL on-field official, following Shannon Eastin and Sarah Thomas. Maia Chaka comes from Rochester, New York.
Becoming an NFL Official
Maia Chaka started her journey as a football official in 2007. She began by working at high school football games in Virginia. By 2009, she was officiating the Virginia State High School Championship Game.
In 2011, she moved up to officiating Division I college football games with Conference USA. She even worked a college bowl game, the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl.
Chaka joined a special program for NFL officiating development in 2014. This program helps train officials who might one day work in the NFL. She started working regular season college games in the Pac-12 in 2018. In 2019, she also began officiating NCAA Division I women's basketball games.
During the 2020-2021 Pac-12 season, Chaka worked as a head linesman, which is an important role on the officiating crew. She even officiated the 2021 Senior Bowl, a big game for college players hoping to join the NFL.
On March 5, 2021, Maia Chaka received a major promotion: she became an on-field official for the National Football League. Her first NFL game as a line judge was on September 12, 2021. It was a game between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets. After three seasons officiating in the NFL, Chaka did not return for the 2024 season.
Education and Community Work
Maia Chaka graduated from Edison Career & Technology High School in Rochester in 2000. She then earned her degree from Norfolk State University in 2006.
After college, Chaka started her career as a health and physical education teacher. She taught at Virginia Beach Central Academy, which later became Renaissance Academy.
In 2008, Chaka started a club called G.E.M.S. (Girls with Empowering Minds and Spirits). This club was created to help young girls feel good about themselves, do well in school, and encourage them to continue their education.
After teaching for 15 years, Chaka took on a new role in 2021. She became the Student Success Coordinator at An Achievable Dream Academy in Virginia Beach. In the same year, she also founded a nonprofit organization called Make Meaningful Change (MMC).
Awards and Recognition
Maia Chaka has received many awards for her work and contributions:
- Elliot Cushing Award (2023)
- Orange Blossom Classic Breaking Barriers Award (2021)
- Black Enterprise 40 under 40 Class of (2021)
- ABC World News Person of the Week (2021)
- Men for Hope Trailblazer Award (2019)
- Virginia Beach Public Schools I Make a Difference Award (2019)
- Virginia Beach Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award (2014)
- Virginia Beach Public Schools I Make a Difference Award (2014)
- Virginia Beach Central Academy Reading Teacher of the Year Award (2009)
See also
