By John "Woods" Armwood III
A Penn Relays Moment Bigger Than the Track
For Hampton track star Brianna Charles, stepping onto the track at Penn Relays meant far more than competing in another race. Surrounded by packed stands, roaring crowds, and elite competition, the moment represented years of sacrifice, belief, and responsibility.
“It’s always a great opportunity to come out in the spotlight and show people what you can do,” Charles said of competing at Penn Relays. “This is my first Penn Relay and my last, so it’s a really good opportunity.”
The energy, the atmosphere, and the spotlight only fueled her motivation. For Charles, racing on one of track and field’s biggest stages became another chance to prove she belongs.
Running for Guyana, Hampton, and Family
Charles competes with something larger than individual success in mind. Every race represents layers of identity and pride. Coming from Guyana and competing at an HBCU, she recognizes that her performances reflect more than her own ambitions.
“I’m not only representing Hampton,” Charles explained. “I’m representing my country, myself, my family, and the culture.”
Rather than viewing that responsibility as overwhelming pressure, she embraces it as an opportunity. Running becomes a privilege, a way to honor everyone who helped her reach this level while inspiring young girls watching back home.
“I’m grateful,” she said. “The people around me trust me to hold that.”
The Mother Who Saw Greatness First
Ironically, Charles never initially envisioned track becoming her future. Growing up in Guyana, she admitted she was not deeply invested in the sport when she first began competing. The person who recognized her talent before anyone else was her mother.
"My mom saw the talent,” Charles recalled. “I didn’t.”
During primary school, her mother encouraged her to enter races and consistently pushed her toward the sport. At the time, Brianna could not fully understand why.
Over time, however, everything changed.
“The more I got older, the more I fell in love with track,” she said.
By the time she reached 14 or 15 years old, Charles finally realized she had genuine talent and decided to take the sport seriously. Today, she credits her mother for helping unlock a future she once could not see.
“She’s the reason why I’m here,” Charles said.
Caribbean Talent Deserves the Spotlight
Charles believes the rise of Caribbean athletes on major stages reflects progress. Growing up, she noticed scholarship opportunities for Caribbean athletes were limited.
Now, she sees more runners from Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, and other nations gaining access to American programs and global competition.
“It’s great to see more opportunity for us as Caribbean people,” she said.
Walking through major meets and seeing athletes from different cultures reminds Charles that she is part of something bigger, proof that talent exists everywhere.
Proving HBCUs Belong
Charles also understands the stigma HBCU athletes face when competing against larger conferences.
“Coming from an HBCU, you get overlooked,” she explained.
But instead of frustration, she sees motivation.
For Brianna Charles, every race is another reminder that greatness is not defined by resources, conference labels, or reputation. It is earned, and she plans to keep proving it.
