Meet the RUN THE BLOCK Selection Committee
In March, we launched RUN THE BLOCK, a new grant and mentoring pilot program to help expand Black ownership in the running industry. We received over 100+ applications for this program!
We are pleased to announce the selection committee members who will assist us in choosing this year's RUN THE BLOCK recipient. Meet our RUN THE BLOCK selection committee below!
“Throughout my career in the sports industry, I have been driven by a deep passion for leveraging sport for societal progress, social justice, increased opportunities, and global understanding. During my tenure as CEO of NYRR, I sought to center inclusivity in all of our operations – for our participants, for our employees, and for our broader running community – to elevate underrepresented voices in our sport and drive change in the running industry.
I am thrilled to take part in RIDC’s “RUN THE BLOCK” program to make meaningful and tangible steps to support BIPOC business owners in the running industry. ”
Kerin Hempel, Former CEO of York Road Runners
“Being a two-time recipient of the RIDC scholarship for minority business owners to attend The Running Event, I understand firsthand the impact and importance of its resources to help bridge the gap for minority owners and to make vital connections within the running industry. I am highly motivated to give back to the RIDC as part of the judging panel to help produce and support more minority-owned businesses within the running community.”
Jason Hunt, Owner of Elite Feet
“RUN THE BLOCK represents a major step forward in supporting startup black-owned businesses in our industry - providing rare, much-needed significant capital investment WITH guidance. The informal industry mentorship we have received over the years has been invaluable. Based on our experience, I am excited to lend a formal voice and perspective around the needs of new business owners and highlight critical factors for their success.”
Joy Hunt - Owner, Elite Feet
“Since the RIDC was founded, I wanted to contribute to its mission. I was honored they asked me to lend my perspective to RUN THE BLOCK because I share their vision. I am a white guy in my 50s who wants ‘Run Specialty’ to look vastly different than when I began my career in this industry 30+ years ago.”
Parker Karnan, Founder and GM of Karnan Associates
“My involvement in the RUN THE BLOCK program is somewhat of a “full circle” moment for me since my introduction to the RIDC. At that time, they were having a dialogue about how to do something that was credible, impactful, and measurable. It was an idea. When I received the call to consider joining the other reviewers for the RUN THE BLOCK program and that there was capital allocated to impact an establishment owned by a person of color, I felt compelled to say yes and affirm their actions and movement in the right direction. I wanted to be a part of this change.”
Skot Welch, President/Founder of Global Bridgebuilders, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of New Community Transformation Fund
“I am honored to have been asked to be part of selecting the first recipient of the RUN THE BLOCK $200,000 grant. 15 years ago, I had a potential new retailer show me a business plan of how they were going to connect to a more diverse community, yet their run group photo was all white and looked like me. NO DIVERSITY. My hope is RUN THE BLOCK is just the start of bringing more minority ownership to the run specialty channel.”
Rick Wilhelm, VP, U.S. Specialty Retail Accounts Brooks Running
Sending a huge thank you to the RUN THE BLOCK Selection Committee Members! We could not do this without them. We will announce the awardee in Fall 2024.