The First Black American Woman To Earn An Individual Medal In Fencing Is Also A Harvard Student With An Interest In Alternative Investing

Lauren Scruggs is a Harvard student and Olympic champion!

Road To History

Scruggs, 21, was introduced to fencing by her brother, Nolen, Essence reports. The sport has now taken the Queens, NY, native to the grand Olympic stage. She has received her first medal at the 2024 Olympics, earning silver in individual foil, falling just short to U.S. teammate Lee Kiefer.

“It’s just unbelievable,” Scruggs told Today. “Seeing my family in the stands and being able to fence in front of all those people in Paris in that great building was just insane to me. Just to have the medal over me and feel the weight was heavy, was unbelievable.”

Additionally, Scruggs made history in the process, becoming the first Black American woman to earn an individual fencing medal at the Paris Olympics, Essence reports.

“Fencing has largely, historically been a non-Black sport,” Scruggs said, per the NCAA. “So I hope to inspire young Black girls to get into fencing and to think that they can have a place in the sport. I just hope that more people who look like me, little girls like me, feel they have a place in the sport.”

Lauren Scruggs’ Accomplishments

Scruggs is a decorated athlete. Prior to her time at the 2024 Olympics, she also won an individual gold medal in 2023 at the NCAA Fencing Championships. She is a six-time world champion as well, notes Essence.

Harvard Student With Interest In Wealth Building

Scruggs accomplishments are in the midst of being a Harvard student. She is preparing for her senior year and is expected to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 2025. Scruggs has also shown interests beyond sports, with a focus on business too.

According to her LinkedIn, Scruggs has involved herself in the Harvard University Black Consulting Group and Harvard Alternative Investment Society, among others. She also recently completed a summer internship with Bank of America.

“Thank you Bank of America Private Bank for another amazing summer and for being supportive as I prepare for the Paris Olympics!” she wrote a week prior to her making history. “ Albeit short, I had a fantastic internship and I learned a lot from some amazing people. Lastly, a special thanks to Ruthie Fritz for cheering me on everyday in the office and for planning a surprise send off party on my last day.”