“Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for loving me.” That’s what Sha’Carri Richardson wrote just a few weeks ago in a heartfelt tribute to her Big Momma. And those aren’t just nice words—they carry the weight of a lifetime. A lifetime of lessons, hugs, prayers, and those quiet little moments that helped shape who she is. So, who is Big Momma?

Well, there’s one face that keeps showing up at Sha’Carri Richardson’s biggest races—and if you’ve been paying attention, you’ve seen her. Remember the 2024 US Olympic Track and Field Trials? Right after storming to victory in the women’s 100m in Eugene, Sha’Carri didn’t waste a second. She ran straight to the stands, bouquet in hand, and gave it to one person: her Big Momma. That woman is Betty Harp—Sha’Carri’s grandmother. Her rock. Her everything. Why does she matter so much? Because Betty wasn’t just cheering from the sidelines. She was the one holding it all together when life got messy. When things got tough, Betty was the steady voice. How? 

Last year, in an interview with Vogue, Sha’Carri Richardson got real about just how much her Big Momma means to her. “Everything I am, it’s because of that strong, wise Black woman,” she said. And she meant every word. Sha’Carri didn’t downplay the support she’s had from others over the years—but when it comes to the foundation, the core of who she is? That’s all Betty.  “Everything,” she added. “I mean, I’ve been blessed because I’ve had other people in my life who have helped me along. But the foundation, that’s her.” Big Momma didn’t just raise her—she built her. Brick by brick. How?

From the jump, Sha’Carri Richardson’s journey wasn’t easy. She faced rejection from her biological mother, and her dad wasn’t in the picture either. But where those bonds broke, something even stronger grew. Her grandmother, Betty Harp, and her aunt, Shayaria Richardson—who Sha’Carri proudly calls her mom—stepped in with open arms and full hearts. They raised her, loved her, and built her into the fierce, unapologetic star we all know today.

In that same 2024 Teen Vogue interview, Sha’Carri shared a moment that lit the spark for her Olympic-sized dream. One day, she spotted this huge plaque her grandmother had made—covered in medals her mom had won back in the day. Little Sha’Carri looked at it wide-eyed and said, “I want that. I want you to bring me one, Granny.’” And her grandmother, being the realist she is, told her straight up: “Well, you got to do something to get some medals!’” Safe to say—Sha’Carri did something. The medals came, the records fell, and that wish she made as a kid? Yeah, she’s living it. And now? It’s Big Momma’s turn to speak. After years of being the quiet force in the background, she’s finally opened up. Just like Sha’Carri gave her that bouquet in Eugene, Betty Harp is offering something back: her voice, her pride, and her own reflections on the girl she helped raise into greatness.

Big Momma has something for Sha’Carri Richardson 

Recently, a heartwarming clip of Betty Harp—Sha’Carri Richardson’s beloved Big Momma—surfaced on the Instagram handle of VSA World, and let’s just say… it hit all the feels. In the video, Betty beams with pride, speaking lovingly about all her grandchildren, calling them her ‘life.’ “They give me that strength to get up the next morning and move around. That’s what they do for me.” But when the topic turned to Sha’Carri? Oh, Big Momma had a little more to say.

“Sha’Carri, she just makes me shy,” Harp admitted with a smile. “To see her cross that finish line, I’m so proud of her. Run up the stairs and give me a hug. I’d be waiting on those hugs, to be honest with you.” And if you’ve watched any of Sha’Carri’s big races, you know that’s not just talk—she never skips that post-race hug. It’s a ritual. A moment of love that fans have come to look forward to. And now, with Nationals just around the corner, the question is—will Big Momma be there? If she has anything to say about it, absolutely. “It’s her journey,” she said, her voice catching,  “but I’m gonna ride right there with her. I have watched her become a very intelligent, responsible young lady. I need to quit. I told you you was gonna cry. Y’all know when I talk about Sha’Carri, I will cry. You’re shining now, girl. Let the stars shine.” A hug. A race. A tear. And a star on the rise. Big Momma’s riding shotgun all the way.