An RIDC Champion is someone who is actively doing the work of the mission and vision of our organization and is a living example of the goals we have.

By Amy DiTommaso

Our next champion may sound familiar, as it is the run crew of one of our founding members, Alison Mariella Désir. Harlem Run’s story is well-known thanks to Alison’s book, Running While Black, and in a short amount of time, the group has created something quite remarkable and supportive for runners not only in Harlem but also beyond. Harlem Run is a testament to what putting community first can do for a run crew and how focusing on all levels of runners, as well as welcoming new folks with open arms, can really make a huge impact on your run club. We were very lucky to get a bit of time from captain and leader Amir Muhammad Figueroa to hear more about how the group has grown and evolved over the years.

Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC): How and when did Harlem Run come to be?

Amir Muhammad Figueroa (AMF): It was founded in the winter of 2023 by my wife, Alison Mariella Désir. Little did she know I had a running group a few blocks away that met on Sundays at the church I attended in Harlem. We connected via Instagram, linked up for our scheduled runs, and the rest is history. For me, it made no sense to have two separate running groups in the same area, so I joined Harlem Run and over time showed my leadership skills. We were two people with a passion for building community and organizing folks for something greater.

RIDC: What growing pains has Harlem Run experienced, as a group that started out small (like so many) and has continued to grow and grow?

AMF: I think we avoided more growing pains than we had, to be honest. We were very organized and intentional about everything we were doing. Keep in mind, we used to have a handful of people show up. As it grew we literally had someone at the front, in the middle, and at the back. I was adamant about having a walking group, which I led. Before we got to larger numbers, we slowly called other people in the group to leadership roles, which prepared us for the eventual separate-pace groups. That allows us to meet people where they are.

We’ve adjusted a lot. We’ve had some people join us for years and others for a short time, but we pride ourselves on supporting people to really blossom as leaders. We listen to feedback that people share.

From the walking group actually birthed our “run/walk” group, all because someone wanted some additional support in working up to running consistently. If you’re ever interested in doing something similar to what we do, the method is 3 minutes walk, 3 minutes walk, and repeat.

RIDC: What group achievement are you most proud of and why?

AMF: Our greatest group achievement is transforming the lives of so many people who join us. It’s birthed movements and groups that have continued to grow outside of Harlem Run. It’s one thing to show people what is possible, but it’s life-changing when they go out and make it a reality.

RIDC: How has your leadership changed/grown as leaders step away while new ones join?

AMF: One thing I love is how the leadership of Harlem Run has expanded outside of our leadership team. People are mindful and aware that they don’t need a title to be a leader, all they need to have is a vision, passion, or idea for what is possible. That is transformation. That is building community.

RIDC: Even with the success you all have found as a group, what barriers still exist for you all in reaching goals and growth?

AMF: The only barriers that exist are racism, white supremacy, and patriarchy. That doesn’t stop us from acknowledging that they all exist, being vocal about their existence in our society, and continuing to press forward to reach for our goals. It definitely hasn’t stunted our growth or the impact we have on the community and culture.

RIDC: Lastly, what are some upcoming events and such we can highlight? How can we support all the amazing things you do?

AMF: For those who aren’t aware, we meet weekly every Monday night 7 p.m. in Marcus Garvey Park for #MonNgtRun. We run on the sidewalk, two-by-two, and wear no headphones for safety purposes. We have a walking group, run/walk group, and additional pace groups from 7 minutes to 12 minutes per mile.

We also have a weekly Tuesday morning option for our early risers that meets up at 6:30 a.m. in front of the Juicery Harlem (370 Malcolm X Boulevard) and a bimonthly group workout on Thursdays at 7 p.m. (i.e., second and fourth Thursday of every month).

An event to highlight is our Annual #HarlemRunStairs Endurance Challenge in February (follow @harlemrun on Instagram to stay up-to-date on signups), as well as Alison’s trip to Kilimanjaro in June. I’ll be joining her this year, and this will be the opportunity of a lifetime.

Know someone who is an RIDC Champion? Reach out to amy@runningdiversity.com and share them with us!

RIDC Champion Spotlight: Harlem Run

RIDC at the 2025 Black Student-Athlete Summit