“Any and everything that makes you up as a human being is welcome with us,” says Lionel Brahim Brodie III, founder and leader of the Original Propaganda Athletic Club (OPAC). This Philadelphia running club has become a beacon of inclusivity in Philly.

What sparked Lionel’s passion for running came from an unlikely source — a casual conversation about the New York Marathon. At the time, Lionel worked in the athletics department at Villanova University, where he had witnessed firsthand the power of community in sports.

Intrigued by the idea of running, Lionel laced up his shoes and hit the pavement for the first time. That first three-mile run began a journey that would change not only his life but the lives of countless others.

A new vision for a Philadelphia running club

As Lionel started running more, he began to notice flashes of community in the running world. Visits to Nike Town in New York City and the New York Athletic Club opened his eyes to the potential of creating a running community that was truly inclusive and empowering. Drawing on his experiences in college athletics, Lionel set out to create something unique.

Lionel created the Original Propaganda Athletic Club, focusing on comprehensive inclusivity and Olympic-level experiences for all runners, regardless of background, gender, race, or ability.

“We subscribe to all faces, all paces,” Lionel says about OPAC's philosophy. “We didn't create it. We inherited it from the people I looked up to when OPAC was in its infancy — Charlie Dark from Run Dem Crew in London and Cedric and Mike from Bridge Runners in New York.”

“All faces, all paces” became the cornerstone of OPAC's identity, embracing runners of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences.

But Lionel's vision went beyond just creating an inclusive space. He wanted to provide something extraordinary to every runner. “We try to provide an Olympic-level experience to all of our family members,” he says. This commitment to excellence and a welcoming atmosphere have been key to OPAC's success.

How Lionel built a successful running club

Over the past decade, Lionel has learned valuable lessons about building and sustaining a thriving running community.

Consistency has been crucial. OPAC's main running day became Saturday at 9am at Eakins Oval. It’s a reliable routine that members count on. This consistency helped build trust and solidarity among the Philadelphia running club. “Without thinking, muscle memory kicks in,” he says.

Personal engagement has also been at the heart of Lionel's leadership style. He always tries to meet with new OPAC leaders or hyper-invested members for coffee. “Let’s sit down. Let's grab coffee. I want to hear about your goals and who you are as a human,” he says. These connections allow him to understand his members better and shape OPAC to meet their needs.

Lionel's approach to building a leadership team reflects his inclusive philosophy. Rather than assigning roles arbitrarily, he empowers members to contribute based on their strengths and interests. “Asking people what their strong suits are, what can you help out with," he says.

The club’s growth has been marked by significant events that have become fixtures in Philadelphia's running club scene. The OPAC Relays, inspired by the Penn Relays, have grown into an annual event that showcases the club's ability to organize large-scale, community-focused activities.

Bringing the group onto Heylo played a crucial part in OPAC's development. Heylo helped streamline the club’s communication and organization, which ultimately helped keep the community connected and engaged.

“People feel like they’ve made it into a secret society,” Lionel says. “It’s been a game changer.”

For example, he says that when people are going to be late to run club, they just drop it in the Heylo event chat so everybody knows. Instead of checking his phone all the time, Lionel can be more present at the event. “That's been critical,” he says.

Lionel also used roles in Heylo to promote other leaders in the group. Inspired by his love for politics, Lionel created a cabinet for OPAC, which allows team members to step up and lead. The recognition of their roles on Heylo, plus the ability to communicate privately with his leadership team through Heylo DMs, helped empower Lionel to scale the community beyond himself as a leader.

A model for what a running club can be

From its beginnings with Lionel's first three-mile run to its current status as a thriving, inclusive community, Original Propaganda Athletic Club has become a model for what a modern Philadelphia running club can be.

As OPAC continues to grow and evolve, Lionel's foundational principles remain constant: welcome everyone, provide an exceptional experience, and foster genuine connections.

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