Love, RUNWAY: Where Heartwork Meets Liberation with Melody Short

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.

As I write to you, Babygirl, I want to share a piece of my journey and, more importantly, my vision for the future—a future I’m working toward with all my heart. My work at RUNWAY is not just a job; it’s the fulfillment of a promise I’ve made to myself, to you, and to our community. It’s a commitment to creating a world where you, and others like you, have the freedom to dream, build, and succeed without the barriers that have held back generations before us.

When I first started here, I honestly wondered, What are these Black utopia vibes that exist here? RUNWAY felt like a dream—Black folk working together with a pure, powerful love for Black folk. I kept thinking, Is this even real? I struggled at first to welcome it fully. For months, I wrestled with accepting that this environment, this heartwork, was mine to embrace after a previous workplace trauma experience. This work, my RUNWAY Family, this calling—they were exactly what I needed and deserved, even though it took time for me to believe I could belong somewhere like this. RUNWAY is full of people who want to serve, uplift, and transform—folks who aren’t in it for a transaction but to see real, lasting change. My kind of people.

RUNWAY’s mission resonates with me on the deepest level. After years of working in the social justice space, supporting Black entrepreneurs and artists, I’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes when people have access to resources and opportunities. I’ve spent nearly two decades helping others build, create, and thrive despite a system that often overlooks them. And though I’ve also worked with community banks designed to uplift underserved communities, I know too well the frustration of working within systems that don’t prioritize Black and Brown people the way they should. RUNWAY is different. Here, the focus is on our people—on empowering Black and Brown entrepreneurs not only to survive but to truly thrive.

Working at RUNWAY, I see the seeds of liberation growing every day. The foundation we’re laying is not just about business or finances—it’s about reclaiming what is rightfully ours, about rewriting the rules so that people like you and me have access to every resource we need to succeed. I’m fighting to break down barriers, not just for today but for generations to come. While my heart has always been in this work, RUNWAY gives me a platform where our mission is crystal clear and unapologetically focused on racial and economic justice. We’re creating a world that not only provides access to capital but does so in a way that’s rooted in love, respect, and true equity. 

RUNWAY’s mission is reflected in my creation of Fertile Ground, a virtual workshop experience at RUNWAY. Through our commitment to listening to RUNWAY entrepreneurs—whether during impact interviews, community calls, or tribe calls— I identified a need to support entrepreneurs navigating ever-evolving industries and markets. Fertile Ground was created in response to these needs, offering sessions like Estate Planning Essentials for Entrepreneurs, which equips entrepreneurs with tools to protect their assets, businesses, and legacies, and Innovate with AI: Strategies for Small Business Success, an introductory workshop that highlights key AI tools to enhance operations. These workshops empower the entrepreneurs to invest in themselves and their futures, which aligns with RUNWAY’s commitment to equity and liberation.

Working here reminds me daily that we’re building a different kind of legacy, one that you can be proud to be a part of. RUNWAY is about heartwork—about creating transformative change, about making sure that you and others can live freely and fully without the constraints that have held us back for so long. It’s about building an economy that loves Black people, that values our contributions, and that provides a foundation for you to dream big without fear of rejection or scarcity.

As I reflect on my path, I think about the many incredible Black entrepreneurs and artists I’ve had the honor of supporting over the years. The ones that you have literally grown up around.  I think about their resilience and brilliance, and I want you to know that this work is also for you, Nia. You are a part of this legacy. You come from a lineage of people who have resisted, survived, and thrived despite all odds. My hope is that my work at RUNWAY makes it a little easier for you to walk boldly into a future where you can do anything you set your heart on including opening your law firm that specializes in civil rights law and your beauty supply store. Access to resources is your birthright. Building something beautiful and lasting is your inheritance.

RUNWAY shows me that liberation is not only possible but within reach. In this space, I get to show up fully as myself, and I am surrounded by people who believe deeply in our mission. I have healed in ways I didn’t expect, finding community and purpose among people who share this vision for a better future. I hope you find communities that uplift and empower you, that see and value your whole self. And if those spaces don’t exist yet, I hope you feel empowered to create them.

I want you to know, Nia, that everything I’m doing here is to pave the way for you. I want you to grow up knowing what is yours, what you deserve, and what you can achieve. I want you to live with a confidence rooted in a long history of resilience and joy, a history that RUNWAY honors and celebrates every day. And when you step out into the world, I hope you do so with the full knowledge of what is rightfully yours—a life filled with opportunity, dignity, and boundless possibility.

With all my love, strength, and a heart dedicated to your future,

Mommy

Melody (She/Her) hopes to foster strong and meaningful connections between Runway and all stakeholders (entrepreneurs, investors, etc.), create spaces of collaboration, design and implement innovative programming and create community engagement opportunities.