At South Carolina State University Homecoming, Brandi Blake is easy to spot. She is back on the Willie Jeffries Field sidelines with her fellow alumni cheerleaders, leading chants with the same energy she had as a student.
“We donate money every year, and we go back and cheer at homecoming annually,” she said. “So, I’m connected to that group heavily.”
That connection to SC State has never left her. A 2011 business management graduate from Summerville, Blake dove into campus life as a student, cheering for four years, mentoring freshmen as an orientation leader, and joining a business fraternity.
“I’m the quintessential ‘get involved and stay in school’ type,” Blake said. “And that was something that really helped carry me throughout my college career at South Carolina State.
“I love my college experience so much,” she said. “My experience at SC State prepared me and also set me up for a career in higher education.”
Becoming an entrepreneur Blake earned a master’s in
education at the University of West Georgia and launched a career helping students feel at home in higher education. She worked in housing and firstyear experience at Coker College before spending six years at George Mason University in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Next, she took on a similar role back in the Low Country as the inaugural executive director for intercultural development at Charleston County School District. Blake was selected by Charleston Business Magazine for its “Best and Brightest Under 35” list in 2022.
Now, Blake has stepped out on her own. Living in Charleston, she is still cheering, still mentoring, and still building. She runs People Culture Power LLC, a consulting business focused on team building and workplace culture.
“We do consulting around team building, workplace environment, making sure that employees are happy, healthy and they belong to the culture,” Blake said.
As someone who knows the value of team building, Blake also is devoting her
