named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Active Activism Initiative
Framework promoting collective responsibility and community-led advocacy to address systemic barriers to wellness
Brownsville Royal Run
Two-mile fun run through Brownsville that celebrates community, belonging, and joy while challenging negative narratives about the neighborhood
Open Space Dialogues
Community forum series exploring how parks and open spaces can support active recreation and holistic health in urban neighborhoods
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advances racial and health equity through community-led activism and advocacyEngages in active activism to disrupt systems of inequity, resist harmful policies, and raise awareness of health disparities, with a focus on building leadership and advocacy capacity among Black and Brown women in Brownsville.
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Women's Wellness and Empowerment Programs 1 activity
- Facilitates wellness and personal development programs for Black and Brown women in BrownsvilleCreates a brave space to cultivate the well-being of Black and Brown women and supports their physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellness through peer networks and personal growth initiatives.
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Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Hosts Open Space Dialogues to promote healthy communities through public space engagementOrganizes an event series that explores how parks and open spaces contribute to active recreation and community health in New York City neighborhoods.
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Organized Running and Triathlon Events 1 activity
- Organizes community running events to celebrate local identity and belongingHosts recurring two-mile fun runs and 5K events in Brownsville and other NYC neighborhoods, including the Brownsville Royal Run and East New York 5K, to foster community pride, joy, and connection.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Provides public speaking training for youth through the Rising New York Road Runners Ambassador programManages a youth development initiative that offers speech fundamentals and public-speaking training to participants ages 10–18 as part of the Rising New York Road Runners Ambassador program.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$42K
Contributions & grants$42K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$57K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$4
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$4
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -64.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIONNE GRAYMAN | CO FOUNDER | 15 | $3K |
| SHEILA GORDON | CO FOUNDER | 15 | $3K |
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Adidas Partner — Collaborated with Vice TV and We Run Brownsville on the "Running While Black: Power" series.
- IOBY NY Partner — Collaborated on the 10th Anniversary and Summer Party event.
- MAS Summit Partner — Collaborated with MAS Summit for a conference on urban issues.
- MAS Summit Partner — Participated in the 2019 MAS Summit focused on urban issues in New York City.
- New York City government Partner — Collaborates with city government through panel discussions on park design and active recreation opportunities.
- New York State Health Foundation Government — Provided funding for the Brownsville Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative, which supported the founding of We Run Brownsville.
- Rising New York Road Runners Partner — Co-manages an ambassador program providing public-speaking training for youth.
- Vice TV Partner — Collaborated with Adidas and We Run Brownsville on the "Running While Black: Power" series.
- Vice TV Partner — Featured in the Vice TV docuseries "Running While Black".
- citywide nonprofits Partner — Engages with citywide nonprofit organizations in dialogues about active recreation and health-focused park programming.
- neighborhood groups Partner — Partners with local neighborhood groups to discuss and respond to community-based examples of park use and recreation needs.
strategies · 8
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Active Activism Through Collective Responsibilitymethodology: collective_responsibility_activismBy organizing around collective responsibility, the organization drives systemic change and builds resilient support structures, because framing activism as a shared moral duty increases community ownership and sustained participation.
- Amplifying Marginalized Voices to Shift Paradigmsmethodology: amplifying-voice-for-paradigm-shiftBy creating safe spaces for Black and Brown mothers to build internal support networks and access democratic processes, the organization facilitates paradigm shifts, because empowered communities who see themselves as agents of change can redefine narratives and challenge systemic inequities.
- Community-Led Narrative Changemethodology: community-led-narrative-changeBy publicly highlighting local female leaders and activists, the organization counters dominant negative narratives about Brownsville, because visible role models inspire collective pride and strengthen local activism.
- Holistic Wellness Integrationmethodology: holistic-wellnessBy integrating physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being into programming, the organization empowers Black and Brown women to achieve sustainable wellness, because addressing interconnected dimensions of life increases resilience and reduces systemic vulnerability.
- Joy-Based Community Engagementmethodology: community-centered joy-based engagementBy centering joy through fun runs and celebratory events, the organization fosters belonging and local pride, because positive, embodied experiences disrupt trauma narratives and build collective resilience.
- Peer Network Model for Holistic Wellnessmethodology: peer_network_modelBy fostering grassroots peer networks centered on healing and mutual support, the organization enables collective personal growth and sustained engagement in holistic wellness, because shared lived experience strengthens trust and program adherence.
- Running as a Vehicle for Personal Transformationmethodology: running-as-personal-transformationBy using running as a structured, goal-oriented practice, the organization supports individuals in achieving personal growth and future-oriented mindsets, because physical discipline and milestone achievement build self-efficacy and momentum toward broader life goals.
- Seeing as Prerequisite for Beingmethodology: seeing-as-prerequisite-for-beingBy creating visible, high-quality community experiences such as farm-to-table meals and pampered baby showers, the organization helps residents envision and embody new futures, because tangible experiences of dignity make aspirational identities feel attainable.