On this special episode on Listen In With KNN presented by FOX Sports Radio, host Kelsey Nicole Nelson welcomed special guests Adam Miles and ShaJuan Underwood to the show. Adam Miles is the Executive Director of Refugee Soccer and the creator behind #SheBelongs.
In 2016, Miles launched Refugee Soccer, a nonprofit entity dedicated to empowering women and promoting racial equality in our community through soccer/football. The organization is managed by Bridges To America, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
After Miles left corporate America, he spent his free time volunteering in African countries. On his first trip to Ghana, he saw how important soccer/football is outside of America in everyday life.
“It absolutely catalyzed the next 20 years of my life,” he said. “I thought I was going to help these kids and their families. They actually helped me more than I think I could ever help them.”
At home base, Refugee Soccer runs two models: the Play-Equip-Compete (PEC) model and #SheBelongs. #SheBelongs is a four-month program where a team of 22 girls comprised of half refugees and non-refugees train in Utah, and travel around the world.
Their mission is to break down gender equality walls and create a safe, empowering space for girls while creating global connections through soccer. Miles said they raised $200,000 to take refugees and non-refugee young girls to the 2023 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and then took the young ladies to Japan. They played friendly matches against other refugee soccer teams in Auckland and Tokyo.
“It was a beautiful journey, and it validated my hope that we could form these international bonds that matter,” said Miles.
The #SheBelongs documentary follows the team’s journey to the World Cup and touches on issues in women’s sports, such as not getting as much viewership as men’s sports. The film is screening nationwide, and it’s coming to Washington D.C. after the election. The private screening is on Friday, November 8 at Washington International School. Tickets to the event can be purchased online.
Miles talked about meeting ShaJuan Underwood abroad and speaking with her about creating a team in the nation’s capital. Underwood is a former soccer athlete who serves as the general manager for Refugee Soccer’s D.C. team. She’s always loved soccer since her middle and high school years.
Underwood met Miles, the team, and the girls in 2023. She saw them wearing #SheBelongs shirts and immediately asked about the program, during the team’s trip to the Women’s World Cup in Auckland. He described how they’re playing against refugee teams in three countries.
“I fell in love with the girls instantly,” she said. “I gravitated towards them, and I felt like they were my own girls.”
Then, the opportunity of putting a team together in D.C. presented itself, and she ran with it. Next to playing soccer, Underwood is familiar with working in nonprofits. She created a nonprofit called “Honey Helping Hands” focusing on women’s and girls’ physical and mental health in underserved communities. She’s also been a board member of another nonprofit called “Are You Global Services, Inc.” dedicated to mentorship. She hopes that the D.C. team feels heard and included as they train and play together.
The D.C. team is still looking for players, sponsors and volunteers. Players must be female, 16-18 years old and hold a valid passport, but they don’t have to be a refugee. If interested, email her at [email protected] for more information about being a volunteer or sponsor.
The #SheBelongs documentary is open to the public and is screening nationwide. Tickets are available at shebelongsfilm.com. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcast.
