Educator. Coach. Visionary.
Merrill J. Gadsden II is a dynamic educator, coach, and consultant whose career reflects a commitment to leadership, service, and empowerment across athletics, education, and community engagement. As the owner of 5 Star Coaching and Consulting, he has trained more than 250 athletes through cheerleading camps that emphasize athletic skill, confidence, teamwork, and personal growth. His expertise also extends to financial literacy and image consulting, helping young people build life skills beyond the arena.
In addition to business leadership, Gadsden serves as Director of Compliance and Sanctioning for the National Stomp and Shake Cheerleading Federation, where he has established a national disciplinary framework that fosters athlete development and accountability. He also contributes to the visibility of sport as a media correspondent for HOLLA’! Cheer and Dance Magazine.
Gadsden’s passion for mentorship is evident through his work as a teacher and coach at charter and public schools in South Carolina and Massachusetts, where he has elevated student performance through innovative instruction and rebuilding extracurricular programs. He has also provided leadership as Executive Director of the Miss Orangeburg County Scholarship Pageant and as a member of the Boston Celtics Green Team, representing excellence in performance and community outreach.
Merrill Gadsden continues to inspire and empower students, athletes, and communities through a career defined by service, innovation, and impact.
Education
- Master of Science, Organizational Management, Charleston Southern University, 2018
- Bachelor of Science, Accounting, South Carolina State, 2016