Team NYUL 2025 TCS New York City Marathon

Hey! Brendan here.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to run the New York City Marathon in partnership with the New York Urban League! This is my donor page, and I'll tell you all about me, them, and us.

I started running after I graduated from college because I needed to get into shape, and you only need shoes to run. But over the last 10+ years of running, it's become a lot more than just exercise. It's my form of escape, how I destress, how I discover new places, and how I connect with other people, too.

I had the opportunity to run my first marathon in 2022, partnering with the National Deaf Children's Society. I learned a little sign language and raised more than $3000 for an organization that supports kids who are deaf or hard of hearing all across the UK. 

What I enjoyed most about working with NDCS was the chance to look at how an underserved community intersects with running - even training and participating in a marathon is something you take for granted, when you realize doing so looks dramatically different for those who don't have their hearing.

That same logic applies to why I'm so honored to be working with the NYUL. I was coincidentally connected to the Urban League in 2021 when a friend mentioned it was her favorite charity, and I donated on her birthday. I've been connected ever since and even more motivated by their mission to support Black and other underserved communities. Like any organization trying to uplift the underserved, they have their hand in everything: 

1. Education support and scholarships that help tackle the achievement gap to ensure people aren't left behind academically because of bias, disproportionate discipline, or lack of exposure.

2. Employment resources and initiatives that tackle inequality in the workforce and amplify inclusion efforts that make communities and workplaces stronger.

3. Providing exposure, mentorship, and stories of growth that empower, inspire, and spread success.

 4. And through advocacy efforts that help push against backward policies and practices, and instead promote policy changes that serve everyone in a community. 

In my experience, working with charity organizations is what you make of it. If you can't provide context for the good an organization is doing in your own words and in your own community, you're not paying attention. New York is incredibly diverse and yet there are so many people and communities that live inequitably.  

There are so many things going on that require help, and yet I wholeheartedly believe this is an organization focused on solutions for one of our biggest challenges. I'm super proud to be repping their name for this race, to learn more about their work, and bring you along for the journey. Thanks for your time and (hopefully) your donation!