Celebrating Black Fathers In The Running Industry
With Juneteenth and Fathers Day falling on the same weekend, we decided to celebrate both holidays by shining a light on the Black fathers in the running industry who are stewards of Black futures. We chatted with run club leaders, Sr. designers, IT specialists, and more.
We received a good amount of nominations from partners, but we know there are plenty more! We would also be remiss if we didn’t share that this campaign proved difficult for some retailers and brands to participate in due to no Black men on staff.
We hope this celebration shows that there are Black men in this industry, and it is an industry for everyone!
To the Black men in this industry: we see you, value you, and appreciate your work.
Get to know some awesome Black fathers below! P.S. You can click on their cards to follow them on social media.
What Do You Love About Being Black?
Amir Muhammad Figueroa, Co-founder of Harlem Run - I love EVERYTHING about being Black! We are all different and unique. There is no singular way of being Black, and that is beautiful. We stand on the shoulders of legends and luminaries.
Anthony Clary, Co-Founder of We Off The Couch and Brooks Run Happy Ambassador - I absolutely love everything about being Black. I love my complexion, my nappy hair, and my beard. I love my Black culture and all its beauty. I love how we can effortlessly bring flavor and style to any situation. I wasn't raised in the best neighborhood, nor did I receive the best primary school education. I was even given the label of learning disabled largely because I was angry and dealing with trauma. However, through my work as a social worker and counselor, I'm honored to teach other young Black boys how to be sound Black men. I love being Black.
Brandon Coleman, Sr. Footwear Designer at the NorthFace - I love being Black because we are the creators of culture; a culture that we pieced together from scraps of society is now recognized globally as a trend, coolness, and what the youth want to be. We are the originators of cool.
What Do You Love About Being a Father?
Brent James, Sr. Product Manager/Designer at Tracksmith - Being a father has altered my perspective of the world, for the better. I no longer act for the sake of proving anything to myself. Everything I do is in the pursuit of happiness for my girls. #girldad
C. Banks, Runner - In multiple aspects of life, I’m very high on legacy. I love being a father. I especially love being a father to a daughter. I also appreciate the direct imprint I can make on someone else’s life and helping guide them on their path. Being a father has sped up my maturation and elevated my thinking. If I hadn’t before, I, for 10 years, stand firmly with support for every woman’s rights issue there is. Being a father can help you see a world beyond your immediate sight.
Chad King, IT Specialist at On - I love being a father and enjoying fatherhood in general. I get to see things in a new light. Having a daughter, I have to stay on my toes even when she has high energy. While I may be having a bad day, she keeps me high in energy when I get home.
What Does Running Mean To You?
Ferson Stafford, Owner of Legacy Fit3 and Mizuno Running USA Brand Ambassador - To me, running gives me an opportunity to challenge myself and push my limits… I get to control the stress and overcome it. In a world of stressors that I cannot control, running gives me an opportunity to be in control and have a point of reference to how strong I can be or how much I can overcome.
Lawrence Harrington, Captain of Black Men Run Philadelphia - Running is a huge part of my life. I typically do about 20 to 25 miles a week to help me stay mentally and physically attuned. Running led me to a great support system through the fellowship of Black Men Run Philadelphia. I thoroughly enjoy our weekly Wednesday evening and Saturday morning group runs. As we run through the city, we check in on each other and talk about everything from sports to politics to our extracurriculars. It is the best of both worlds - a Brotherhood I highly value coupled with the sport I love.
Morgon Latimore, Chaski Endurance Collective, Director of Coaching - Running to me means the freedom to explore and do epic adventures. Being able to be free of all the chaos the day-to-day world creates.
What Do You Love About Being a Father?
Quin Jenson, Brooks Run Happy Ambassador - What I love most about being a Black father in society today is that I get to change the narrative. My daughter and I do stuff you don’t normally see dads do. We do storytime at the library, find random parks to hang out in, and make up raps in the drive thru lines with the windows down, lol. Sometimes we go on adventures to places where I’m the only dad and the only Black one at that, but I don’t care because at the end of the day, when she turns around while having fun, she’ll always see her dad there no matter how silly I look and that’s something I never had.
Tommie Runz, Ambassador for Tracksmith and Gazelle Sports - Becoming a father changed...saved… my life. Every day, I wake up with the opportunity to help two future leaders and trailblazers in this world. It’s an honor to be a father.
