Nationwide Book Tour Featuring Alison Mariella Désir, Author of Running While Black, Comes to Michigan with Multi-Day experience presented by Gazelle Sports and Playmakers.
Michigan-based running specialty retailers, Gazelle Sports and Playmakers, will present the Michigan portion of Alison Mariella Désir’s nationwide tour in support of her first book, Running While Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport That Wasn’t Built for Us.
Running While Black is described as a searing exposé on the whiteness of running, a supposedly egalitarian sport, and a call to reimagine the industry.
The multi-day and multi-location book tour experience is designed to celebrate Michigan’s diverse community of runners, as well as examine and discuss what it means to hold a marginalized identity in the running community. Gazelle Sports and Playmakers will donate all proceeds from sales of Running While Black to local Boys and Girls Clubs.
The Running While Black tour stop in Michigan will include the following activities and experiences. The remaining events are free and open to the public.
Based in Seattle, Wash., Désir is an endurance athlete, activist and mental health advocate. Currently co-chair of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, a Run Happy Advocate for Brooks Running and an athlete advisor for Oiselle, Désir also is the founder of Harlem Run, a New York City-based running movement; Run 4 All Women, an organization that fundraises for social justice-focused non-profits; and the Meaning Thru Movement Tour, a speaking series featuring mental health experts and fitness professionals. She is a graduate of Columbia University with her bachelor’s and two master’s degrees, including a master of Education in Counseling Psychology.
“Playmakers is excited for the opportunity to host Alison Mariella Désir, with Gazelle Sports, to highlight the need for inclusivity within the running community,” said Lindsey Mulder, co-owner of Playmakers. “Alison’s book, Running While Black, is eye-opening to the reality of whiteness in running, and inspires movement for change. These opportunities to hear Alison speak first-hand will inspire, educate and positively impact our community.”
“The opportunity to listen to Alison Mariella Désir and discuss her book is incredibly important, not just for runners, but for everyone,” said Chris Lampen-Crowell, co-founder of Gazelle Sports. “As a 60+ white runner and business owner, Alison has challenged me and inspired me through her words, laughter and kindness. I urge you to join us and meet Alison, you will be glad you did.”
Nov. 11, 2022 – Lansing and Okemos
- 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.: Book-signing (5 p.m.) and panel discussion (6:30 p.m.), hosted by Tommie Runz (AKA Thomas Bailey) of The RUN EAT SLEEP Show, featuring Running Industry Diversity Coalition leadership, including Désir, Chris Lampen-Crowell, Shannon Woods and John Benedict, at Playmakers Okemos (2299 W. Grand River Ave.).
Nov. 12, 2022 – Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo
- 8 a.m.: Three mile out-and-back community run/walk with local area run/walk groups. Starts and ends at Gazelle Sports Downtown Grand Rapids location (52 Monroe Center NW).
- 9 – 9:30 a.m.: Panel discussion, hosted by Gazelle Sports Ambassador, Sammie Bennett, of Lyon Street Run Club and Trail Sisters GR. The panel, also taking place at Gazelle Sports Downtown GR, will examine running safety, what that means for runners with marginalized identities and what is needed to feel a sense of safety when running.
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.: Book-signing with Désir at Gazelle Sports Downtown Grand Rapids (52 Monroe Center St. NW).
- 4:30 p.m.: Book-signing and talk with Désir, hosted by Run This Town Run Crew, at Gazelle Sports Kalamazoo (214 S. Kalamazoo Mall).