Alison Desir

Alison Mariella Désir is an American author, activist, and runner. She is the founder of Harlem Run, creator of Run 4 All Women and serves as Oiselle’s director of sports advocacy and co-chairs the Running Industry Diversity Coalition.

Désir's first book, Running While Black (Penguin Books), was published on October 18, 2022.

Personal life Désir is of Haitian and Colombian descent and was raised in Teaneck, New Jersey. She graduated from Columbia University in 2007.

As of 2022, Désir lived outside Seattle, Washington.