“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can learn to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than the opposite.”
Nelson Mandela
Petal+Bramble wants to shine a light on an organization that it is delighted to support, Peace Peloton. Peace Peloton’s mission not only aligns with Petal+Bramble’s mission, but it also feeds our soul. Peace Peloton is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization focusing on community building, economic development, and creating a more equitable society through, among other things, biking. As you are aware by now, Petal+Bramble is passionate about cycling, it’s health benefits, and the benefits it brings to the environment and our communities. For simply those reasons we would naturally love Peace Peloton, but this love affair goes beyond biking.
What is Peace Peloton? It’s fairly new to Seattle, and to some extent, it emerged in response to police violence demonstrations in Seattle and around the nation. At that time, Peace Peloton began with a demonstration of its own as a bicycle ride in support of social and economic equality for people of color – in particular Black people. From that first ride, Peace Peloton has grown into a way to support and invest in Black livelihoods, communities, and businesses through organized bike rides, community development events, and sustainable economic enrichment programs.
There is something magical about a Peace Peloton bike ride. Even with masks and social distancing, Peace Peloton participants radiate joy when they come together to bike for a good cause. Whether it’s a cycling experience through historically Black neighborhoods, or a ride on Bainbridge Island to support small businesses, the riders and volunteers feel they are part of something special.
Peace Peloton launched in mid-2020 and thrived during a worldwide pandemic. Notwithstanding the hardships faced during 2020, Peace Peloton is energized and ready to open hearts and minds in the coming years.
Peace Peloton’s founder and executive director Reginald ‘Doc” Wilson is an avid cyclist and entrepreneur, passionate about giving people the tools they need to succeed. In 2021, Peace Peloton’s mission will expand by looking beyond building community and economic empowerment through biking with the launch of its business catalysts programs. Doc designed the business catalyst programs to help fill entrepreneurial toolboxes. The program will include: 1) a business plan competition designed to launch Black-owned businesses, 2) apprenticeships for Black people ages 16-24, and 3) a mentorship program focused on connecting motivated individuals with professionals willing to give of their time to promote professional development.
The business catalysts initiatives are additive and will not replace community bike rides, so we encourage you to find a 2021 Peace Peloton ride, gather your friends, hop on your bike and prepare to be delighted. Visit the Petal+Bramble website for a calendar of upcoming rides (coming soon!), and please share any ideas or experiences you have that can help Peace Peloton during its initial years.
“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.”
Booker T. Washington
Stephanie Daley-Watson is a retired corporate lawyer, spouse, and mother of two newly adult children. Stephanie spent nearly 30 years practicing law and is focusing (along with her husband Christopher) on making the world a better place over the next 30. She is a newly minted wellness coach focusing on healthy aging. Stephanie is an avid cyclist, lifelong learner, and novelty seeker.