Meet COACH MASON

HerStory

"When you learn, teach. When you get, give."

These words by the late, great Maya Angelou have guided Coach Earnestine Mason's life and mission for decades. As a youth motivational speaker, mentor, and coach, Coach Mason is passionate about inspiring young people to discover their identity, build confidence, and walk boldly into their God-given purpose.

But her journey to this calling was anything but easy. It is a story rooted in loss, struggle, resilience, and unwavering faith.

A Childhood Marked by Loss and Discovery

Born in Town Creek, Alabama, Earnestine Mason is the youngest of seven siblings. Her mother, Anna Birth Mason, passed away when Earnestine was just 18 months old. For years, she was lovingly cared for by her Aunt Betty, unaware that the woman raising her was not her biological mother.

It wasn’t until the age of five, during a moment of childhood play, that the truth was revealed. That day, Earnestine was shown a picture of her mother for the first time. The weight of that revelation brought confusion, heartbreak, and an identity struggle that would shape much of her early life.

The absence of her mother left a deep void that Earnestine carried silently. But even through the uncertainty, her life was anchored by faith, family, and eventually, the game of basketball.

From the Court to Her Calling

Basketball became more than just a sport for Earnestine. It was an escape, a confidence builder, and a source of joy. She quickly stood out for her raw talent and work ethic, earning the title of Most Athletic in high school and attracting attention from college recruiters.

However, shortly after high school graduation, life took an unexpected turn when she discovered she was pregnant. Dreams of playing collegiate basketball were replaced by the overwhelming reality of early motherhood. But through every challenge, Earnestine's faith never wavered.

She began to understand that God's plan for her life extended far beyond the basketball court.

A Passion for Guiding Youth

What started as coaching Little League and elementary school basketball soon grew into a much greater mission. For over a decade, Coach Mason served in Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky, coaching Freshman, JV, and Varsity Girls Basketball at the high school level.

Through coaching, she found her true purpose – guiding, mentoring, and empowering young people not just as athletes, but as leaders, students, and future changemakers.

Inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, who once declared that “Our children are the rock on which our future is built,” Coach Mason has dedicated her life to building that foundation.

Inspiring Teens to Overcome and Succeed

Today, Coach Mason travels to schools, churches, and community organizations, sharing her story and speaking life into the next generation. Her message is simple yet powerful:
It doesn’t matter how you start in life – it’s how you finish.