In 2013, Alison Mariella Désir didn’t envision becoming a best-selling author, TV host, or a nationally recognized activist—but that’s exactly what happened. Her book, “Running While Black,” and her PBS show, “Out & Back w/ Alison Mariella Désir,” have inspired countless people to challenge racial and social inequalities in the running world and beyond.

But before all of that, her journey started with a much smaller step: standing in front of a building in Harlem, hoping someone—anyone—would show up for her new running group, Harlem Run.

Alison had discovered long-distance running as a way to cope with depression. She’d spent months planning and publicizing Harlem Run, a space where she envisioned a diverse cross-section of people coming together, feeling safe, and moving through their community as one.

After months without anyone showing up, one person finally did show up: Christa, a white woman.

“I had anticipated that it would be another Black person or another person of color because that’s who I was hoping would join me,” she remembered. But she quickly understood the significance. “She was the person who actually made me a leader. If nobody’s following you, you’re not a leader.”

What began as a way to get through a difficult time eventually grew into Harlem Run, a thriving community that would change her life and the lives of others. For community group leaders, Alison’s journey is a powerful example of how authentic leadership can spark meaningful connections and drive lasting change.

Founding Harlem Run

During that challenging time, Alison found running, which became her outlet. “It got me outside of my house,” she said. “It made me realize how capable I was.”

She’d started running because she saw her Black friend (”a regular looking dude”) complete a marathon. “I had never seen somebody like him running a marathon, so I got interested.”

She began running with the charity running group he had trained with for his first marathon, but she didn’t see many people who looked like her. That’s how Harlem Run came to life.

Learning what not to do

When Alison first started running with various groups, her experience often felt isolating. “I would show up to runs and nobody would even acknowledge my presence,” she recalls. This experience inspired her commitment to ensuring Harlem Run was different. “Every run, we’re going to have introductions and you’re going to turn to someone next to you, and you’re going to at least know that person.”

She also wanted no one to be left behind: “I made the route public and made sure we had pacers.”

“I was really intentional about creating a space where people could feel a sense of safety and a sense of authenticity.”

Alison’s guiding principles

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Appoint the right leaders

Alison embraced diversity as a key principle in her leadership team. “If your leaders aren’t diverse, then you don't get a diverse population,” she explains. “I made sure we had Black leaders, white leaders, men, women—and leaders who also shared this commitment to racial equity and making people feel good.”

Keep showing up

Keeping the group going wasn’t always easy. But she remained consistent. “As I look back, it was one of the biggest lessons that I've learned in my life and something that absolutely sticks with me.”

Create a culture of vulnerability

Alison emphasized openness from the start. “When you’re vulnerable, people mirror that back to you.” Her transparency encouraged others to share their own struggles, and that vulnerability became a cornerstone of Harlem Run’s culture.

A springboard for activism

When Alison founded Harlem Run, it stemmed from her personal struggles and “wanting to build community, wanting other people like me to have these experiences," she said.

As Harlem Run grew, Alison realized the broader impact she could have. “Through the process of building Harlem Run, I realized I was becoming a really powerful leader, that I had the ability to make difficult things enjoyable and have a positive effect on people’s lives. I could use this platform to raise money [for charitable causes] and address larger community and political issues.”

Harlem Run became more than just a running group—it turned into a movement. “I realized Harlem Run wasn’t actually going to be the end. This was the beginning of what would become my work as an activist, as an advocate, as someone who elevates marginalized voices."

A movement beyond running

What started as a way to cope with her depression became a catalyst for empowering others and sparking change. “Sometimes I think back—being depressed was certainly not a good thing,” she said, “but so many amazing things came out of me addressing that depression.”

Alison’s leadership style—built on showing up consistently, fostering inclusion, and leading with vulnerability—has had a lasting impact, transforming lives both within and beyond the running community. Her journey as an advocate, activist, and leader serves as an inspiring blueprint for any group leader looking to make a difference.

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