A Reflection from Outgoing President and Co-Founder, Chris Lampen-Crowell

For the past four years, the RIDC has been a catalyst for meaningful change. As one of the seven co-founders, I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and the impact we’ve created. While there are many accomplishments to celebrate, I want to take this moment to reflect on the early stages of our journey.

I want to share some thoughts that go back to the beginning of my RIDC journey–the murder of a young Black runner.

As I type that, my heart rate rises, my throat tightens, and my eyes begin to tear. I regret that it took this tragedy to move me into action, but I am grateful for the past four years of learning and growth. As a white man, I miscommunicated and made so many mistakes along the way, and always felt the grace that people of color responded with so I could learn. I witnessed the exhaustion that this work creates for people of color and the need for times of stepping back or just being off-screen. I have recognized what inclusion and belonging look like and felt their positive power. 

I am still learning through experience, conversation, and self-reflection. And I embrace the values of antiracism and power shifting that I had little understanding of four years ago. I work to be conscious of the reality of my privilege and bias. And I must continue to commit to act as an ally for racial justice. This is personal lifetime work, not just board of directors work. I feel like I am still at the beginning of the racial justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion movements and that it will prove to be the most important change in our running industry. 

We may feel we have moved forward in meaningful ways in our business, communities and industry. Yet there are Black and brown runners who experience racism every day on runs, at events, and in our businesses. I urge you not to back away from the real work that needs to be done because we have made some progress or it’s uncomfortable in our new political climate. Let’s not wait until a runner is murdered.

I will always love to run. I know that our businesses can be and often are transformational for our staff, customers, and communities as we support their running. I am forever grateful to all the friends and colleagues who have run with me as change makers (if you are reading this, you are one).  

Thank you to all of you who volunteered as educators, writers, advisors, creators, and leaders along the way. 

My deepest thanks to Alison, John, Martha, Verna, Robyn, and Shannon for the courage and stamina it took to begin this journey and for all you each have taught me. Thank you to Jim Weber, who was instrumental in our very beginning. And special thanks to Teresa Baker, who kept the light on when it seemed particularly dark for our beginning. 

A massive thank-you to the current board: Shannon, Song, Kathy, Sergio, Tom, Jason, Glendean, Tai, Brian, and Victor, who have been teachers, guides, and interpreters and kept me accountable. 

And a standing ovation for the RIDC’s amazing staff, Kiera, Abigail, and Betsy, who bring our mission and values into action! 

Keep moving,
Chris Lampen-Crowell