BJ Mensah – Flipping Barriers and Inspiring the Next Generation

When BJ Mensah steps onto the mat, he carries more than just the pride of his sport. He carries Harlem, Bowie State and a message of representation. A power tumbler on the U.S. National Team, Mensah has been making waves nationally and internationally, proving that talent, effort and heart can make the impossible possible. From his early beginnings in his mother's Harlem gym to his upcoming competition at the World Championships in Pamplona, Spain, Mensah's story is one of perseverance, purpose and pride.

Mensah's path to gymnastics began before he could even spell the word. His mother, Wendy Hilliard, the first Black rhythmic gymnast to represent the U.S. in a world championship, introduced him to the sport and built a small Harlem gym to make gymnastics accessible to inner-city youth. "That's how I got into it, through my mom," Mensah said. "She and my coach, Roger Walker, really taught me everything I know. I owe a lot to them."

Mensah's natural talent and discipline quickly showed, and at just 15, he earned a spot on the junior national team, an achievement that marked a turning point. "At first, I didn't really know what that meant," he said with a laugh. "But when I started getting selected for international competitions, that's when it hit me. I could take this somewhere."

Representing the United States on the world stage is deeply personal for Mensah. "Especially being from Harlem, you don't see a lot of Black gymnasts," he said. "A big part of why I do it is to show that anyone can do it. Gymnastics isn't just for one type of person. I want to show that we all belong here."

When competing abroad, Mensah often stands out - and he's proud of it. "Not just because I'm Black, but because I'm tall, I have dreads and I'm loud when I cheer for my teammates," he said with a smile. "I like to dance with my teammates, to get them pumped up. And when I talk with gymnasts from other countries, they get to know me as a person, because they don't see a lot of people like me. That's why it means so much to represent not just the U.S., but Harlem and Bowie too."

That same belief in belonging led Mensah to Bowie State University. When he toured the campus during his brother's college visits, he immediately felt at home. "It just gave me that feeling that I should be here," he recalled. "And being at an HBCU has really brought out a different side of me. I've become more outgoing, more confident and that translates to how I perform and how I carry myself."

Now a third-year student majoring in business management and planning to switch to sport management, Mensah hopes to one day serve on the Olympic Committee or as a program director for USA Gymnastics. "It might sound big," he said, "but that's the dream, helping plan competitions, supporting athletes and making sure things run right."

Balancing elite athletics with academics hasn't been easy. His discipline is tested daily as he trains off campus, since power tumbling isn't a collegiate sport, while managing coursework and student life. "It was hard at first," Mensah admitted. "My grades and performance suffered because I tried to do it all on my own. But then I realized I needed help."

That turning point came when Mensah reached out to Bowie's staff, including Thomasina Boardley, affectionately known as "Coach T," and Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation Clyde Doughty Jr. "They really helped me find balance," he said. "Just talking to people made a difference." It's a lesson he wants to share with others, saying, "Don't be afraid to ask for help. A lot of people keep to themselves because they think it makes them look weak, but it doesn't. Asking for help gets you further."

Mensah also carries with him the wisdom of a mentor and family friend, an Olympic fencer who once told him, "Effort is what makes the impossible possible." That message reshaped how he approaches his sport and his life. "I used to put in the physical effort," he said. "But now I understand the mental part too, planning, visualizing and believing."

From Harlem to Bowie to the world, Mensah is redefining what strength and representation look like, on and off the mat. Fresh off a recent competition in Paris and preparing for the World Championships in Pamplona, Spain, he continues to push boundaries and inspire others. "When I compete internationally, I'm not just representing the U.S.," he said. "I'm representing Harlem. I'm representing Bowie. I'm showing the world who I am and what we can do."

Watch BJ Mensah showcase his talent here. Follow Mensah's journey and cheer him on at the World Championships in Pamplona, Spain this November.