Winston-Salem State University has brought Brandi Hopson back to campus as an assistant Powerhouse cheer coach, marking a significant addition to the program's coaching staff. Hopson, who holds the title of Ms. Black USA, brings a distinctive blend of professional experience and competitive achievement to the role.
Hopson's background includes work with the Carolina Panthers, one of the NFL's most visible platforms for athletic excellence. That experience at the professional level positions her to mentor student-athletes at WSSU with insights into high-performance coaching, precision execution, and the demands of competitive cheerleading at elite levels.
The hire represents a homecoming for Hopson, who is returning to Winston-Salem State as an alumna. HBCUs have long served as incubators for talent across athletics and beyond, and the tradition of accomplished graduates returning to mentor the next generation remains central to the HBCU mission. Hopson's return exemplifies that cycle—bringing external credentials and professional polish back to strengthen her institution.
Cheerleading at HBCUs occupies a unique cultural space. The tradition of Powerhouse cheer programs—known for their athleticism, precision, and entertainment value—has become synonymous with HBCU gameday experiences and campus identity. Programs like those at Winston-Salem State draw student-athletes who are serious competitors, often performing at national levels while representing their universities with pride. The addition of a coach with professional NFL experience signals WSSU's commitment to elevating the competitive and technical standards of its cheer program.
Hopson's dual identity as both a professional sports figure and a titleholder in the Ms. Black USA pageant also brings visibility and representation to the program. Her achievement in that arena demonstrates excellence beyond athletics, reflecting the multifaceted accomplishments that characterize many HBCU student-athletes and alumni.
The specifics of Hopson's coaching responsibilities and the full scope of her role with the Rams' cheer program remain to be detailed, but her appointment underscores WSSU's investment in competitive excellence across its athletic offerings. As HBCUs continue to strengthen their athletic programs and compete at high levels, coaching hires like this one reflect institutional priorities and resource allocation.
Why this matters: HBCU cheerleading programs are cultural anchors on their campuses and represent their institutions on national stages. When accomplished alumni like Brandi Hopson return to coach, they strengthen the pipeline of excellence and demonstrate to current students that HBCU education and experience can launch careers at the highest professional levels. This hire reinforces the message that WSSU values competitive excellence and invests in the development of its student-athletes.