In tune with its ongoing mission to increase representation in the running industry, the Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) will be hosting Find Your Path: Running Industry Career Summit on June 15 in conjunction with the Charlotte Running Co. (CRC).

The inaugural event at CRC’s Dilworth location will include a free morning 5K with For the Girls followed by a breakfast and panel discussion featuring representatives from brands and organizations within the running industry, particularly those committed to supporting inclusion and diversity, discussing the ins and outs of starting a career in this industry. Find Your Path will also include resume reviews, interview training, and networking opportunities allowing participants to learn about current job openings.

“If you strip it down, this is a good ol’ fashioned career fair specifically focused on the running industry,” says CRC co-owner Harry Chandler, an RIDC retail subcommittee member. “We want attendees to have a better understanding of the opportunities in our industry, many of which people don’t even know exist, as well as visibility to help them seize those opportunities.”

The four-year-old RIDC launched the Career Summitt out of necessity and relevance, Chandler says. 

“If you look at the starting line of just about any race, you’ll find men, women, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and people representing all different groups,” Chandler says. “But when you look around the executives in our industry, that same flavor doesn’t exist. With this event, we hope to generate broader representation in our industry, so it matches the people wearing the running shoes.”

In fact, that’s one key reason the RIDC tabbed CRC, the 2021 Best Running Store in America honoree, as the debut event’s annual host. In Chandler, the four-store chain is one of four U.S. running stores with a Black owner. 

“We can do better as an industry and should want to do better,” Chandler says.

For more information on the free event in Charlotte, including registration, visit Find Your Path’s Eventbrite page.