Next Up: Lauren Scruggs Is Fencing Her Way Into History
Lauren Scruggs is rewriting what it means to be a modern athlete. The Olympic gold medalist and Harvard graduate is breaking barriers in fencing, inspiring a new generation of Black girls to pick up a foil and chase excellence.
Scruggs told BET’s Next Up host Tamara Brown that her fencing journey started when her mother watched the 2008 Olympics and saw Black fencer Keith Smart win a medal. From there, it became a family affair. Her older brother started fencing, and her natural competitiveness took over. “When he’d lose, I’d say, ‘If I was in there, I’d win,’” she laughed. That drive quickly turned into purpose.
By the time she reached high school, fencing wasn’t just a sport — it was a ticket to the future. Her mom reminded her that mastering it could open doors to top colleges, and that motivation paid off. Scruggs went on to fence at Harvard, where she became one of the school’s most decorated athletes. “Being part of a college team was special,” she said. “Everyone was working toward one goal. That energy stays with you.”
Her college experience prepared her for the global stage. The short, intense NCAA bouts honed her focus — the perfect training for the high stakes of Olympic competition. And in Paris 2024, it all paid off. Scruggs made history as the first Black woman to win a fencing medal for Team USA. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” she said. “I can’t compare it to anything else.”
She also gave Tamara Brown a fencing lesson, explaining how technique and instinct merge over time. “After 15 years, the foil feels like an extension of my arm,” she said. “It takes years of coordination and timing, but once it clicks, it becomes second nature.”
Off the strip, Scruggs continues to give back through the Peter Westbrook Foundation, where she teaches fencing to underserved youth in New York City. “People helped me get to where I am,” she said. “Now it’s my turn to do the same for others.” Seeing her students grow, both athletically and academically, is what she calls the “most rewarding part” of the work.
Scruggs has already carved out a place in sports history, but her impact stretches far beyond medals. She’s building a legacy rooted in excellence, representation, and giving back — proving that true champions lift others as they rise.
Watch the full Next Up interview with Lauren Scruggs above.
