Students Run Philly Style

Some places, you can really feel the weight of what came before and the hope for what can be. For @Shuja Moore, that place is West Philadelphia. It’s in the playground his great-grandmother helped build in the ’80s, the garden he cultivated on a forgotten piece of land, and the lives he’s impacted through mentorship and the pardon process. As a filmmaker and community advocate with four generations rooted in West Philly, Shuja’s work isn’t done for the community, it’s done with the community. Shuja’s journey from incarceration to community leader is one of restorative justice, healing, and love. At 22, he was convicted for an accidental crime and served 12 years. He returned home with a commitment to give back, creating opportunities for marginalized communities. His dedication to community empowerment is evident in every project he takes on. Whether it’s neighborhood revitalization, mentoring young Black men in agriculture and financial literacy, or using storytelling to drive social justice, Shuja ensures those most affected by poverty, unemployment, and crime have the tools to reshape their futures. One of those projects is the restoration of Walnut Hill Playground. In the ’80s, Shuja’s great-grandmother helped build the playground, and now Shuja is leading efforts to restore it. The space remains a place where families gather, children play safely, and neighbors connect. Shuja’s work also fights systemic barriers holding people back. Through the West Philly Pardon Network, he partners with local organizations to help individuals with criminal records remove obstacles to employment, housing, and education. Film and storytelling are central to his advocacy. His films, Pardon Me and Running Towards Justice: SRPS' MileUp Program, highlight the challenges faced by returning citizens and showcase youth initiatives that prevent involvement in the criminal justice system. These stories reinforce that no one should be reduced to their past, struggles, or systemic inequities. As we close out Black History Month, let’s recognize the Black history in Shuja’s work today, in the spaces he’s reclaiming, and the communities he’s transforming. We’re grateful for the chance to learn from his work and for the opportunity to partner with him. His passion helped amplify the impact of our MileUp program in ways we couldn’t have done without him. Learn more about his work at domooregood.org

For our Black History Month series, we had the pleasure of hearing from Jason Ray, President & Founder of Zenith Wealth Partners, a Black-owned investment firm committed to helping individuals and businesses build lasting wealth. Their work carries the spirit of Black Wall Street by providing accessible, expert financial advice that ensures wealth is not just accumulated, but sustained and passed down for generations. Once a thriving ecosystem of Black entrepreneurship, Black Wall Street's legacy continues to inspire despite its tragic and racially motivated destruction by a white mob in 1921. It's a reminder of the barriers to Black wealth and an inspiration for what’s possible when financial empowerment is prioritized. An example of this is Charisse McGill, the founder of Lokal Artisan Foods. As the first Black woman to own a food establishment at both Cherry Street Pier and Spruce Street Harbor Park in Philadelphia, she not only contributed to the city’s food scene but also created employment opportunities for underserved youth, furthering the cycle of empowerment. Her journey was supported by the 76ers Buy Black Program and partners like Zenith Wealth Partners, who provided mentorship and strategic advice to help her continue to grow. As Black Americans continue to be the fastest-growing group of stock buyers, the demand for financial education is increasing, especially in the face of challenges like limited access to capital. As a 100% minority-owned investment firm, Zenith Wealth Partners is bridging that gap by helping individuals, institutions, and Black-owned businesses not only accumulate wealth, but sustain it across generations through knowledge, strategy, and access to build lasting legacies. This Black History Month, join us in recognizing and celebrating the legacy of Black entrepreneurship and the work of companies like Zenith Wealth Partners that are shaping the future. We’re grateful to have Zenith as a trusted partner in managing our investments and deeply appreciate their commitment to building lasting wealth in our communities.

Football, but make it a call for change. We couldn’t be prouder of our @philadelphiaeagles for their Super Bowl victory, and even prouder to call this city home, where they lead as champions both on and off the field. Since 2018, the Eagles have contributed over $2.6 million in Eagles Social Justice Grants, directly supporting organizations like Students Run Philly Style. Through their “A Fan of Change” campaign, they are uplifting the community members and players working to create a safer Philadelphia. We were honored to be part of the filming for this campaign, and we encourage you to watch, Become a Fan of Change, and help end gun violence: https://lnkd.in/eZu8MsmE 📷 Photo on the left is a still from the making of the A Fan of Change Campaign commercial.

Black history is lived and created every day, through the businesses that strengthen our communities, the artists who tell powerful stories, the educators who lift up the next generation, and the entrepreneurs who break barriers. This month, we’re celebrating the Black-owned and Black-led businesses and partners who have been part of our journey and are still shaping what’s to come. Their work reminds us that Black history isn’t just something to reflect on, it’s something we run forward with.

This year’s mentorship conference was filled with impactful discussions and expert-led sessions designed to inspire, educate, and empower our community. We’re proud to highlight Rothman Orthopaedics as the sponsor of our mentorship conference with a special thank you to Dr. Meghan Bishop, and Elizabeth Eichenlaub from NovaCare Rehabilitation for their session on Running Injuries, sharing invaluable advice on staying injury-free and addressing common challenges runners face that our mentors can take away with them to their trainings. We also want to extend gratitude to all of our exceptional presenters and tabling partners who shared their expertise and made this conference a success: Adelaide Moschler (MENTOR Independence Region) led an insightful discussion on the dynamics of social identity and power, inspiring our mentors to create empowerment in their communities. Erica Talley (SpeakUp! ) held a crucial session in suicide intervention that equipped our mentors with actionable tools and ways to approach mental health crises. Liz Euiler McKinstry, PhD (PA Center for Adaptive Sports) & Lindsay Clarke (Temple University) offered strategies for fostering inclusion and supporting athletes of all abilities. Mario Ramos & Lonnie Perry shared their expertise on strength training for runners, focusing on injury prevention Nadeen Herring (The Bryson Institute of the Attic Youth Center) who delivered a powerful session on creating affirming and inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Drexel Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice Drexel University College of Medicine Heights Philadelphia                     Phila Massages

📣 We're Hiring! 📣 Students Run Philly Style is looking to fill two positions: a Part-Time Mentor/Driver and a Part-Time Youth Advocate to support our MileUp Program! Know someone who might be a great fit? Spread the word and share with your network! Head to our website to view the full job description: https://lnkd.in/gPG7hXiw Resumes can be sent to Kailyn Schneider at kschneider@studentsrunphilly.org.

"And that’s the kind of person Kelly is. She’s not just my running leader. She’s a friend, a mentor, and above all, family." — Dominic, Alumni & Current Running Leader At SRPS, our mentors are more than running leaders. They’re the steady presence and encouraging voices that show up for every practice and race, every challenge and accomplishment. They listen with care, lead with empathy, and help our students see that they're capable of far more than they ever imagined. This #NationalMentoringMonth, we’re celebrating the 400+ mentors who inspire, guide, and grow alongside 1,300 incredible students. Celebrate with us and give a shout out to a mentor who's made an impact on your life!

We’re excited to share this documentary, created in partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which amplifies the voices of our MileUp participants and highlights the transformative power of diversion programs and youth justice initiatives. The documentary offers a firsthand perspective on the journey from participant to Peer Mentor, showing how these programs help young people create new paths and rebuild their futures. Watch the full documentary and explore our Impact Report to learn how community support and opportunities are driving real, positive change for young people every day.

From all of us at Students Run Philly Style, thank you for being a part of our community this year and helping us celebrate 20 years of impact through youth mentorship! Whether you’ve cheered us on, volunteered, donated, or ran alongside us, your support makes a huge difference in transforming lives. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with Courage, Effort, and Respect. Here’s to many more smiles and miles in 2025! 💙💚