“I have enjoyed creating a sisterhood that a lot of people thought was impossible.” That’s how Sha’Carri Richardson once summed it up — raw, real, and radiant in a post-race conference. She spoke not just as a world champion, but as a woman who’s worked hard to cultivate authentic connections both on and off the track. That sisterhood, built through sweat, support, and shared ambition, is something she guards fiercely. And it turns out she’s not the only one protecting that bond.

Just this past week, on April 15, a bold display of loyalty came straight from her training circle. Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry — Sha’Carri’s teammate at Dennis Mitchell’s training camp — clapped back hard at a troll on X who dared to question the dynamics within their training group. The troll made a crude, completely out-of-line remark suggesting that TeeTee and fellow teammate Melissa Jefferson-Wooden shared a stronger bond than either of them did with Sha’Carri — and why? The troll claimed it was because “both of y’all have fathers and shacarri never had one.” That was the match that lit the fire. But let’s rewind a bit.

It all began when TeeTee shared a wholesome appreciation post for Melissa, who had graciously replaced TT’s lost AirPods by ordering her a new pair. Just a kind gesture between friends. But some corners of the internet chose to spin it. That’s when TeeTee stepped in — and she didn’t hold back.

“Let me make one thing very clear,” she wrote. “I don’t tolerate anyone degrading people I’m associated with, ESPECIALLY those I train with. That comment was not only disrespectful, it was completely out of pocket. Whatever relationships exist between me, Melissa, and Sha’Carri are none of your business, and definitely not something to be picked apart based on personal assumptions.” Well, that was more than a defense. It was a declaration of loyalty and boundary.

Well, TT didn’t stop here! She further added, “You don’t get to follow me and feel entitled to speak on people I care about like that. I stand on respect — if you can’t, unfollow.” In a sport often overshadowed by rivalries and noise, what’s emerging from this sprint squad is something more powerful: a bond that doesn’t require explanation, only respect. And if anyone needed proof that Sha’Carri’s “impossible sisterhood” is very real — well, TeeTee just dropped it.

And talking about Sha’Carri Richardson’s support system, it consists of many!

Sha’Carri Richardson comes with a robust support system 

Sha’Carri Richardson didn’t just sprint her way into greatness — she was carried there on the shoulders of two remarkable women: Betty Harp and Shayaria Richardson. How?

Her grandmother, known affectionately as Big Momma, and her aunt Shayaria didn’t just raise her — they built her. To Sha’Carri, that bond is “priceless” — and she says it loud, again and again, whether in interviews or in front of millions after a race.

One unforgettable moment came during the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, when Sha’Carri stormed through the 100m in 10.86 seconds, qualifying for the Tokyo Games. But the time wasn’t the highlight — it was what came next. She sprinted into the stands, straight into Big Momma’s arms. That moment of raw emotion told the story of a lifetime. “Without them, there would be no me. Without my grandmother, there would be no Sha’Carri Richardson. My family is my everything,” she declared afterward. But as quickly as triumph arrived, heartbreak followed.

Just weeks later, news broke: Sha’Carri had tested positive for substance use. The Olympic dream she had just touched slipped away. But through the storm, she remained accountable and, above all, grounded in love and support from the people who never left her side. That includes her family — and the new family she’s found on the track. Because Sha’Carri’s sisterhood didn’t end at home.

Fast forward to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials — Sha’Carri, Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden swept the 100m podium, going 1-2-3 in a blazing show of unity and power. In the aftermath, Melissa didn’t hesitate to express what that moment meant: “These girls have literally… they’re my sisters. I love them to death,” she said, holding back tears. So, what Sha’Carri has built isn’t just a career. It’s a village. Because behind every record, every medal, every clapback and comeback — there’s Big Momma. There’s Shayaria. There’s TT. There’s Melissa.