The Transformational Journey of Alison Désir: From Personal Struggles to Community Advocacy
On January 18, 2017, five black women from Harlem embarked on an inspiring journey, running 252 miles over 60 hours to the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. Led by Alison Désir, the group managed to raise over $100,000 for Planned Parenthood, all while averaging ten-minute miles. This monumental run, titled Run 4 All Women, marked a significant shift in Désir’s life, who is now organizing the Midterm Run to support political candidates aiming to bring change at the grassroots level.
Désir’s journey began in her twenties as she sought solace through running amid struggles with depression. This passion eventually blossomed into a movement that blends advocacy for civil rights and mental health. Growing up in a multicultural household with a father from Haiti and a mother from Colombia, Désir was instilled with a deep understanding of representation and identity from an early age.
Her early insights into representation fueled her leadership aspirations. In elementary school, a project on the town’s history revealed the stark lack of diversity, prompting her to address important social issues. By the time she turned 27, however, she faced personal crises that spiraled into depression. It was through social media that she discovered the transformative power of running, inspired by a friend’s journey to complete a marathon while fundraising for a cause.
Signing up for the Rock n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego became a turning point for Désir. The process of training and fundraising ignited a sense of purpose in her—helping her reclaim her life during a challenging period. Upon completing her first marathon in June 2012, she recognized the profound mental health benefits associated with running. This realization led her to explore psychology more deeply, ultimately earning a second master’s degree in counseling psychology.
In November 2013, inspired by her own experiences, she founded the Powdered Feet Run Club to create safe spaces for communities of color and to highlight the connection between running and mental health. Despite initial struggles with participation, Désir’s perseverance paid off. Within a year, the club grew significantly and became a vital source of community support, now known as Harlem Run.
Following the 2016 election, Désir felt compelled to act. This led to the ambitious idea of a relay run from Harlem to Washington, D.C., to promote solidarity and resilience, which culminated in the successful Run 4 All Women initiative. The campaign not only raised over $100,000 for Planned Parenthood but also positioned Désir as a community leader and advocate for change. Since then, she has nurtured her newfound platform by launching a podcast, Find Meaning (On the Run), and producing a documentary about her experiences with Run 4 All Women.
Today, Désir is gearing up for another running campaign, the Midterm Run, aimed at raising $3 million to support progressive candidates across six states. The campaign slogan sums up her mission: “They’re running for us, so we’re running for them.” As she continues to address both mental health and political engagement through running, Alison Désir exemplifies how personal struggles can fuel meaningful community action, inspiring countless others to join her journey.
