Black Girls Run

What Black Girls Run does

Black Girls Run is a non-profit community organization founded in 2009 in Richmond, Virginia, and self-described as the largest and oldest national running group for Black women. Its core offering is a distributed network of local running chapters across all 50 states, coordinated through volunteer ambassadors and supported by digital infrastructure (website, blog, email newsletter, Instagram, Facebook) plus operational channels including [email protected] and [email protected]. The organization layers several programs atop this community: a Walk B4U Run beginner transition program, BGR! University for coach and leadership education, the BGR! Food Library wellness content resource, the Sole Sista Team brand influencer program, and signature events including the annual Sweat With Your Sole national conference and race weekend, the Run Richmond 16.19 heritage run, and the eRace Racism Virtual Challenge.

The business model combines e-commerce merchandise sales (presale and standard storefront shipping within 7-10 business days, 14-day return policy with online credit), event and conference registration fees, and tax-deductible donations to the Black Girls RUN! Foundation (EIN: 83-0866322, established July 2018 as the philanthropic arm). The organization has expanded into co-branded consumer products through marquee partnerships, most notably a multi-year Saucony footwear collaboration (BGR! x Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 in September 2024, followed by Ride 19 and Speed 5) and a Fittsafe co-branded running safety alarm launched October 2025. Additional distribution and marketing alliances include REI, Fleet Feet, SheaMoisture, Jogology, NATHAN Sports, and ROAD iD, alongside recurring marathon charity team programs for the TCS New York City Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and Boston Marathon.

The organization is owned and led by CEO Jay Ell Alexander, who acquired Black Girls Run in April 2018. The Foundation board includes Sheronda Wilford (President), Candice Toney (Vice President), Cassandra Simmons (Treasurer), and committee members including Lillian "Buffy" Holmes (Communications), Corey Brown (Fundraising), and Krystle Bell Saulsberry (Grant Writer). The operating team is small (1-10 employees), and the organization has historically grown organically without disclosed venture capital or institutional investment.

Name

Black Girls Run

Legal name

Black Girls RUN! Foundation

Website

https://blackgirlsrun.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Girls Run is a non-profit community organization founded in 2009 that operates the largest national running network for Black women, offering local chapters across all 50 states, educational programs, signature events, charity marathon teams, and co-branded merchandise with partners like Saucony.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Fitness & Wellness Programs

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Road Running Events (Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K/5K) (MPAKAIAA)

Keywords

• Women's running community
• Community fitness programs
• Nonprofit health advocacy
• Running event organization
• Athletic apparel sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce storefront selling running gear, apparel, and accessories. Uses presale model for new designs where orders are placed during designated timeframe and shipped 2-3 weeks after presale ends.
2. Event and Conference Registration: Revenue from Sweat With Your Sole Race and Conference Weekend registration fees, including conference sessions and race events.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to BGR! Foundation (EIN: 83-0866322) supporting local group training, coach education, and leadership development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Black Girls Run is a national nonprofit organization that builds and supports a network of local running groups for Black women across the United States. It complements this community platform with structured educational programs (Walk B4U Run, BGR! University, BGR! Food Library), signature events (Sweat With Your Sole Conference, eRace Racism Virtual Challenge, Run Richmond 16.19), marathon charity teams for NYC, Chicago, and Boston, and a branded merchandise storefront that also distributes co-branded consumer products developed with partners such as Saucony, VARLO Sports, and Fittsafe.

Product overview

Black Girls Run is a community-focused fitness organization offering a platform of programs and events centered around encouraging and motivating Black women to practice a healthy lifestyle through running. The core offering is the national network of local running groups, supplemented by educational programs (BGR! University, Walk B4U Run), the BGR! Foundation for philanthropy, and signature events (Sweat With Your Sole Conference, Run Richmond 16.19, eRace Racism Virtual Challenge). The organization has expanded into co-branded consumer products including footwear and apparel partnerships with Saucony, VARLO Sports, and safety gear with Fittsafe. An e-commerce store offers branded merchandise. Charity team programs enable members to fundraise at major marathons including NYC, Chicago, and Boston.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Black Girls RUN! Community Groups National network of local running groups for Black women providing free group runs, community support, and wellness motivation. Largest and oldest national running group for Black women with chapters in cities across the U.S., including beginners through experienced marathon runners.
• BGR! Online Store Direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront offering branded running gear including t-shirts, technical singlets, accessories, and branded items. Ships Monday-Friday with 7-10 business day U.S. delivery, 14-day return policy with online credit, and international shipping available via email inquiry.
• Sweat With Your Sole National Conference Annual national conference and race weekend featuring inspiring sessions, signature race events, and community activities for Black women runners. The 2026 edition is scheduled for September 10-13, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia.
• Walk B4U Run Walk-to-run transition program designed to help beginners start their running journey with structured progressive training and coach support within local BGR! chapters.
• BGR! University Educational resources and training materials for BGR! members, including coach education and leadership development programs supporting local chapter leaders and ambassadors.
• eRace Racism Virtual Challenge Annual virtual running challenge where participants run, walk, or hike to promote unity and challenge discrimination. Distance options include 50, 100, or 200 miles; the 7th annual edition runs August 1-31, 2026.
• Run Richmond 16.19 16.19K or 8K run/walk event through Richmond, VA celebrating Black history, held as part of the Sweat With Your Sole Conference weekend. Open to all ages and abilities; the 2026 edition marks the 5-year anniversary.
• Marathon Charity Team Programs Official charity program partnerships with major U.S. marathons including the TCS New York City Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and Boston Marathon, enabling BGR! Foundation charity team members to fundraise as charity athletes.
• Sweat With Your Sole On The Road Traveling regional events bringing BGR! programming to new cities, including group runs, meet-and-greets, and community activations.
• BGR! x Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Limited-edition collaborative running shoe launched in partnership with Saucony as part of a multi-year partnership. First-ever footwear collaboration between BGR! and a major running shoe brand; available September 16, 2024.
• BGR! x Fittsafe Running Safety Alarm Co-branded personal safety alarm for runners launched as part of a national partnership with Fittsafe, aligning with BGR!'s mission of creating safe running experiences for Black women.
• BGR! x VARLO Sports Performance Capsule Collaborative performance apparel collection with VARLO Sports aligning with the BGR! x Saucony Ride 19 and Speed 5 launches; part of the multi-year Saucony footwear partnership.

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• FittsafecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 October 2025National partnership for co-branded running safety alarm product. Aligns with BGR! mission of creating safe running experiences for Black women.
• SheaMoistureminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 April 2025We Set the Pace initiative collaboration encouraging Black women to run their race with confidence. Joint marketing campaign.
• JogologycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 January 2025Two-year sponsorship including product support and conference activations for the BGR! community.
• SauconyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2024Multi-year partnership including limited-edition footwear collabs. Launched BGR! x Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 in September 2024, and BGR! X Saucony Ride 19 and Speed 5. First-ever footwear collaboration with a major running shoe brand.
• Marchon EyewearminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 November 2021National partnership announcement with one of the world's largest eyewear manufacturers.
• REIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partnership for Opt Outside events. REI provides discounts to BGR! community.
• Fleet FeetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational partner offering discounts to BGR! community (code BGRULTIMA20). Hosts local group events and runs.
• NATHAN SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting Black women in the BGR! community seeking to develop and maintain an active lifestyle.
• ROAD iDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting BGR! mission to promote active, safe running.
• RelieveItminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership announcement in 2020 supporting BGR! community.
• A.R.C.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched 8-week training program. Received Athleta Wellness for All Grant for $5,000 for program support.
• Girls on the Run InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational alliance relaunched in 2018 supporting youth fitness programs.
• HBCU Alumni AllianceminorGTM or Marketing Partner6th year partnership for HBCU Alumni Alliance Run/Walk in Atlanta.
• She.is.beautifulminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for She.is.beautiful 5k and 10k race series amplifying inclusivity and compassion.
• Xero ShoesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured BGR! in blog about organizations empowering women through running.
• RagnarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRagnar Sunset Santa Clarita powered by BGR! for team relay race format.
• Run for Fun Cruise ToursminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBGR! Cruise partnership continuing into 2019 combining running and travel experiences.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner offering special discounts to BGR! community.
• Capstone Event GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner with code BGR15 for discounts.
• Core PowerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for recovery and fitness support content and products.
• FunRunBoxminorGTM or Marketing Partner20% off first subscription box and 10% contribution to BGR! Foundation on all renewals.
• Team Milk (MilkPEP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBGR! supports Every Woman's Marathon, first U.S. marathon designed by women for women with 7,000+ participants.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Every Woman's Marathon: Every Woman's Marathon is a women's-only marathon launched in 2024 by Team Milk (MilkPEP), with 7,000+ participants — BGR is a community partner for the event, and the property overlaps with BGR's mission of expanding women's access to running.
• National Black Marathoners Association: The National Black Marathoners Association is a membership organization that promotes running and marathon participation among African Americans — a direct peer in mission and demographic focus, with overlapping event and community activity to BGR.

Broad incumbents

• Brooks Running: Brooks operates the Brooks Run Club and Her Run community programs targeting women runners with local run crews and brand-led activations — a broad incumbent with overlapping target audience and community-led marketing approach.
• Hoka: Hoka is a major running footwear brand that sponsors community events, athlete ambassadors, and inclusive run programs — competing for the same Black women runner demographic while also being a potential BGR partner counterpart.
• Saucony: Saucony is BGR's flagship multi-year footwear partner and a major running brand — comparable in that it activates community running through athlete sponsorships and brand-led programming, and structurally intertwined with BGR via the Endorphin Speed 4, Ride 19, and Speed 5 collaborations.
• Athleta: Athleta (a Gap Inc. brand) operates the Power of She collective and women's wellness sponsorship programs, including Athleta Wellness for All Grants that have funded BGR programming — a broad incumbent in women's active lifestyle with overlapping community and grant-making activity.
• Fleet Feet: Fleet Feet operates a national running specialty retail footprint with in-store community run programming and local event hosting — a BGR national partner that also competes for the same women's running community audience through its own training programs.
• Nike Run Club: Nike Run Club is a free, globally scaled digital running community with training plans, coach-led audio runs, and event activations — the dominant broad incumbent in the running-community category that competes for the same member mindshare as BGR.

Direct peers

• GirlTrek: GirlTrek is the largest health nonprofit for Black women in the U.S., mobilizing members through walking and running groups with a health-equity mission — a near-direct mirror of BGR's community-led, Black-women-focused health-equity model.
• Girls on the Run International: Girls on the Run is a national nonprofit operating local running programs for girls with a curriculum on confidence and wellness — a direct peer in mission, structure, and programming, and an active BGR national alliance partner since 2018.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BlackgirlsRUN
• Instagraminstagram.com/OfficialBlackGirlsRUN
• Xx.com/blackgirlsrun
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-girls-run-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Girls Run