Brandie Wilkerson comes from a family with a strong athletic background. Her father Herb Johnson played basketball at the University of Tulsa and was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Her mother Stephanie Vuilleumier is a national runner who has completed numerous Ironman races. It's no wonder that Brandie excels in sports given her family's athletic genes.

Brandie Wilkerson Parents Herb Johnson and Stephanie Vuilleumier

Brandie was born in Switzerland, where her father played basketball and her mother is from. At the age of seven, she moved to Canada with her family without knowing any English. Despite this, they were eager to embrace the country's multiculturalism and acceptance of diversity.

Her Parents faced racism


Wilkerson shared that both of their parents experienced racism in Europe during the '80s and '90s, despite being close to France. They mentioned that even their stepdad, who is also Black, faced difficulties. Wilkerson's mom, being white and married to a Black man, also encountered racism in the U.S. These experiences have made the realities of racism very apparent to their family.

Wilkerson is biracial acknowledges that she has experienced some level of privilege, but she also recognizes that everyone's experiences are unique. This realization led her to have difficult conversations with her family about their expectations for her career. In an interview with The Shadow League, Wilkerson revealed that her parents discouraged her from pursuing a career as a professional athlete and urged her to pursue a more traditional path and get a real job.

Brandie Wilkerson

Brandie quickly made a name for herself in beach volleyball, drawing from her experience as a collegiate four-time All-Star to excel in the professional ranks. After a successful rookie season in 2017 on the AVP, she became known for her skill as a right-side blocker. Despite starting on a low-ranked qualifier squad, Brandie's rapid rise saw her reaching the Manhattan Beach Open Finals and becoming a Main Draw contender on both the AVP and FIVB circuits.

In November 2018, Brandie achieved a No. 1 world ranking alongside her teammate Heather Bansley, just a year after her rookie season. Since then, she has continued to receive awards and recognition, now playing with her new teammate Melissa Humana-Paredes, who is also from Canada.