We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Doc Wilson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Doc, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Once upon a time, in the aftermath of the tragic murder of George Floyd in May 2020, a group of passionate and resilient cyclists felt an overwhelming desire to bring about positive change in their community. Among these determined souls were the co-founders of Peace Peloton, a movement that would transform into something much greater than they could have ever imagined.

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, the world was engulfed in a cloud of anger, grief, and frustration. The co-founders of Peace Peloton, who were deeply affected by the tragedy, decided that we wanted to create a platform that could serve as a beacon of hope, unity, and love, a platform that would act as a counterforce to the negativity and division in society.
Drawing inspiration from the transformative power of peaceful protests, we set out to organize an event that would not only honor the memory of George Floyd but also embody the spirit of harmony and understanding. Thus, the idea of a bike ride was born. Cycling was not only an eco-friendly mode of transportation but also symbolized progress, moving forward, and taking action.

The first Peace Peloton event was planned to be an all-levels, no-drop bike ride, meaning that anyone, regardless of their biking expertise, could participate and no one would be left behind. The inclusivity of the event was a testament to our commitment to breaking down barriers and building bridges between people from all walks of life. Word spread like wildfire, and on the day of the ride, several hundred participants of all ages, races, and backgrounds gathered with hearts full of hope and determination.

As the wheels of their bikes spun, so did the wheels of change. The positive energy emanating from the event was palpable, and it ignited a spark in the hearts of those who participated. Realizing that we had tapped into something profound—the power of community and collective action – we couldn’t stop there.

Driven by a burning desire to make a lasting impact, Peace Peloton organized several more bike events, each one drawing an even larger crowd. But as they continued to grow, we felt a calling to do something more than just organizing protests and rides. We recognized that one of the ways they could bring about long-term change was by supporting and elevating the success of businesses with Black owners, who often faced systemic barriers to success.

And so, Peace Peloton evolved from a protest into a powerful organization with a mission to uplift Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. We developed initiatives that provided mentorship, access to resources, and financial support to these businesses. We forged partnerships with corporations and investors who shared our vision of creating a more equitable economic landscape.

Through our relentless dedication and unwavering belief in the power of unity and compassion, Peace Peloton became a driving force in promoting diversity, equality, and prosperity in our community. Our efforts not only supported Black-owned businesses but also inspired other communities to take similar actions.

Three years later, Peace Peloton has become a symbol of hope and progress, a shining example of what could be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose. Our journey from a protest to an organization focused on positive change became a legend, inspiring generations to come to create a world where love, understanding, and unity triumph over hatred and division. And so, the legacy of Peace Peloton lives on, reminding the world that even in the darkest of times, the power of love and community can bring about transformative change.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Determined and Culturally Aware Life Coach, Knowledge Seeker, Brother, Bruthah, Positive Change Practitioner, Bicycle Enthusiast, Truth-Teller, Hearty Laugher, Tester of Boundaries, Maker of Mistakes, and Creator of Solutions. I embrace single malt Scotch whiskey, cycling across foreign landscapes, and meaningful engagements. My fascinations are sparked by Tuscany sunsets, rising skyscrapers, and people who inspire. I am not lost, wandering, or broken – I am uniquely me and that’s enough.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As the co-founder of Peace Peloton, I learned a profound lesson that would stay with me for the rest of my life: The power of collective action and positive intent can create ripples of change far beyond our imagination.

When we started Peace Peloton, it was born out of a response to the senseless murder of George Floyd and the negativity that engulfed our society. We wanted to create a platform that stood as a beacon of hope and unity, countering the darkness that had befallen our community. Our all-levels, no-drop bike ride was a symbol of progress and taking action, and it drew hundreds of diverse participants who shared our vision of a better world.

During the events, as I pedaled alongside people of all ages, races, and backgrounds, I felt an overwhelming sense of unity and purpose. The positive energy and determination emanating from the crowd were palpable, and it reaffirmed my belief in the power of coming together for a common cause.

As we continued organizing more events and expanding our impact, we realized that our journey didn’t have to end with protests alone. By shifting our focus to supporting Black-owned businesses, we recognized that we could make a tangible and long-lasting difference in our community.

The lesson I learned from founding Peace Peloton was that one person or a small group of individuals can ignite a spark, but it takes the collective efforts of a community to turn that spark into a blazing fire of change. When we unite with a shared purpose, when we choose positivity over negativity, and when we actively work together to uplift others, we can create profound transformations in society.

Through Peace Peloton, I learned that the power of intention is immense. Our intent to spread love, understanding, and compassion attracted like-minded individuals who joined our cause, growing the movement far beyond our initial expectations. Our journey taught me that even in the darkest of times, hope can be found, and when we channel that hope into meaningful action, we can shape a better world for ourselves and future generations.

Above all, the lesson from Peace Peloton is that each of us has the ability to make a difference. No matter how small our actions may seem at first, when we collaborate and persevere, our impact can ripple through society, touching lives, and creating a wave of positive change that will endure for years to come. And so, I carry the lesson of Peace Peloton in my heart, reminding myself that together, we have the power to overcome adversity, build bridges, and cultivate a more compassionate and harmonious world.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My initial funding story was simple. I simply aligned our mission and vision with organizations whose mission and vision statements were similar, crafted a compelling ask, and presented it. I kept repeating this process until we received the funding necessary to advance our aims.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.peacepeloton.com
• Instagram: peace_peloton
• Facebook: peacepeloton
• Linkedin: peacepeloton
• Twitter: Peace Peloton