BRANDI HOPSON
MS. BLACK USA

There is power in a woman who knows how to command a room, elevate a community, and lift others as she climbs. For Brandi Hopson, that power is second nature. From the thunderous gameday energy of an NFL stadium to the national stage of pageantry, the newly crowned Ms. Black USA 2026 is redefining what it means to lead with grace, purpose, and unyielding passion.Raised in Greensboro, North Carolina by way of Queens, New York, Brandi has spent her life moving to a rhythm of excellence. She first fused her love for media and movement at the historic Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), earning a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. It was there, as a member of the legendary Powerhouse Cheerleaders, that her foundation for leadership and show-stopping performance was truly solidified. Once a Ram, always a Ram—and WSSU is proudly celebrating this hometown champion as she makes a national impact.

For Brandi, dance and cheer are more than just sports; they are vehicles for connection and joy. In 2021, she realized a lifelong dream by joining the Carolina Panthers TopCats. Her dedication, vibrant spirit, and natural leadership quickly propelled her to team captain. By 2025, she reached the pinnacle of her professional cheerleading career, representing the Panthers organization on the national stage as a 2025 Pro Bowl Cheerleader.

Though she officially hung up her professional pom-poms in 2025, Brandi’s commitment to her dance sisterhood never wavered. Today, she continues to preserve the team’s legacy as an active member and Activities Committee Chair of the Carolina Panthers Football Cheerleaders Alumni Association (CPFCAA).

But Brandi's vision extends far beyond the sidelines. Balancing a dynamic 9-to-5 career at Pepsi and a deep devotion to her church community, she is also stepping boldly into the world of entrepreneurship. Alongside her former TopCats teammate Zaria Franklin, Brandi co-founded The Hive Performance Academy. Through this innovative cheer and dance studio, she is actively channeling her decades of performance expertise into mentoring, inspiring, and pouring into the next generation of young artists.

At the core of Brandi’s world is her family. She is a proud, dedicated wife to her husband, Eugene, and a loving mother to her two beautiful children.

Whether she is leading in the corporate space, mentoring young dancers at The Hive, serving her community, or wearing the prestigious Ms. Black USA crown, Brandi Hopson brings heart, authenticity, and profound purpose to everything she touches. She isn't just taking up space, she is building a legacy, one brilliant step at a time.