Love, RUNWAY: Culture, Courage, and the Power of Possibility with Aisha Blackman

Jul 2

LOVE, RUNWAY is an ongoing series of original written works by members of the RUNWAY team to remind ourselves and each other of the love we share for our work, our communities, and our people. To continue developing the muscle of reimagining what the world would look like if the economy loved Black people we write love letters to different points in humanity's timeline. We hope these stories will help others connect with our purpose and showcase the richly textured humans behind our work.

Hi, my sweet LonLon! You truly are one of the brightest lights in my life, and I wanted to share a little bit of my story with you to remind you just how endless the possibilities are for you. At nine years old, it might feel like you have to figure out who you want to be and what you want to do when you grow up. But I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to have all the answers right now because when I was your age, I didn’t have a clue either.

When I was nine, the only thing I thought about being when I grew up was maybe a mama. It wasn’t a clear dream of a career or a specific job, just the thought of nurturing and loving someone deeply. Then, on the day you were born, that dream came true in a way I never expected. London, in so many ways, you made me a mama. From the moment I held you, I knew I had a responsibility to show you what was possible—not just through my words but through my actions.

Before you were born, I had this little spark inside me to do work that served and uplifted the Black community. But the day you arrived, that spark turned into a fire. I realized that I needed to be an example for you––a little Black girl full of potential––to show you that you can do anything and be anything you dream of. You ignited something powerful in me, and every step I’ve taken since then has been with you in mind.

As I moved through my career, especially in the corporate world, I didn’t see many people who looked like me in leadership positions. Black leaders—especially Black women leaders—were rare. At times, I didn’t even think it was possible for someone like me to be in those roles. But as I worked in Human Resources and later in People & Culture, I began fighting for fairness and justice for people who looked like us. I saw Black employees being passed over for promotions despite their qualifications. I watched as people of color were paid less than their white colleagues for the same work. I witnessed policies that claimed to be “neutral” but disproportionately harmed Black and brown employees. Sometimes, I fought so hard that it came at a personal cost. But I kept going because I knew it was bigger than me.

And then, baby girl, God—who we know is always looking out for us—answered a prayer I didn’t even realize I’d prayed. He brought me to RUNWAY. This is a company that doesn’t just talk about supporting people and building culture; they truly live it. They didn’t just hire me as their Director of People & Culture for the sake of diversity optics. They trusted me to lead, to shape our policies, and to ensure that every person who walks through our doors feels valued, seen, and supported. RUNWAY prioritizes wellness, not just as a buzzword, but as a real practice: we center rest, mental health, and economic justice in everything we do. We build benefits that actually meet people’s needs, like allowing time for rest, flexibility, creating space for open dialogue, and being able to co-create a work culture that reflects our collective values. We don’t just talk about equity––we redesign the way business is done to make it real. They embraced me as their Director of People & Culture, not because it sounded good on paper, but because they believed in me and my vision.

At RUNWAY, I’ve been able to grow in ways I never imagined. I’ve learned so much, and unlearned things I didn’t even realize were holding me back. I’ve learned that a never-ending sense of urgency and the pressure to make every second of the day “productive” stems from working in white corporate America. I’ve learned that I can build teams, systems, and processes that are people-first, thoughtful, and intentional. My team has shown me what it truly means to support and lift each other up. Together, we work to set an example for other little Black girls like you—to show that no dream is too big, no goal too far.

LonLon, even at nine years old, you’ve inspired me. You’ve helped me see the world through fresh, hopeful eyes. What I do at RUNWAY isn’t the "boots on the ground" work in our communities, but my role supports the people who are out there making a difference. And that, baby girl, is just as important.

So remember this: the possibilities for you are endless. You can dream big and bold because there’s no limit to what you can achieve. And as long as I’m here, I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.