Standing on the Minneapolis street last month where George Floyd was killed by a police officer, Aisha Praught Leer took in the heavy moment and reflected on what it meant to her.

Her visit to the memorial site was part of a trip to Minneapolis with her husband, U.S. middle distance star Will Leer, who grew up there. Profoundly touched by the national movement against racism and police brutality that began in his hometown, Leer said he was ready to help in any way he could. 

“I’m a fierce ally to Black people and all people of color,” he said in an Instagram post. “So whether it’s sweeping up debris or taking a rubber bullet, another of this city’s children has come home to stand up and pitch in.”

For Praught Leer, 30, standing up has meant turning her emotions into action.

When her coach, Joe Bosshard, approached her last month about turning their upcoming intra-squad meet, The Team Boss Colorado Mile, into a fundraiser for racial equality, Praught Leer eagerly took the lead. 

With Team Boss’ star power, including U.S. Olympic steeplechase bronze medalist, 2017 World champion and reigning silver medalist Emma Coburn, the crew raised $30,000 for the Sachs Foundation, which provides college scholarships to Black high school students in Colorado. It’s a mission that hits home for Praught Leer, who competed for Illinois State University and benefited from a similar scholarship program.

“I want to be a person who takes action,” she said. “I cannot solve all problems. I cannot alone solve systemic racism. I cannot dismantle centuries of embedded prejudice. But, what I can do is try to inject positivity and opportunity into my immediate community."

Not only did the team raise a tremendous amount of money, it delivered mind-blowing performances at the meet in Grand Junction. Coburn ran the fastest women’s mile ever on Colorado soil, finishing in 4:32.72, followed by teammates Cory McGee and Dani Jones, who also broke the previous mile record, which had been held by Jones, a recent Colorado grad and three-time NCAA champion. (On the men’s side, Morgan McDonald ran 4:02.7, missing the record by one second.) 

As she does her part in the fight for racial justice, Praught Leer also remains fiercely committed to her athletic goals. Now focused on the 1,500 meters, Praught Leer hopes to make it to the Tokyo Olympics next summer. 

After struggling with nagging injuries earlier this year, Praught Leer ran a solid 4:38.3 mile in the Team Boss Colorado Mile, an altitude mile personal best and her first race in almost a year. 

“I love running and training, but racing is where my true passion lies,” she said. “Ripping off that Band-Aid hurt so good.”