Meet Ramone Sanders | Restorative Practices Facilitator & Training Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ramone Sanders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ramone, how do you think about risk?
I believe healthy risk-taking for the sake of personal and professional growth is a must. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and supervisors who believe in experiential growth and the practice of managing up. Throughout my professional non-profit career, I have been encouraged and entrusted by mentors and supervisors to step out of my comfort zone and take calculated risks that have promoted my growth as a leader. Without taking risks, I wouldn’t have taken advantage of the opportunities that have supported my growth within and beyond the workplace.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
“Transforming the Narrative” is my guiding light. Prior to 2014, the work I engaged in post-college was youth development-focused work. The experience of leading teams of college students in camp settings, athletics, and after-school programming throughout Portage County, Wisconsin, led me to return home to Milwaukee, ready to serve in a more dynamic role. As an AmeriCorps Service Member of Public Allies Wisconsin, I served as an education specialist for the Carrera Program, a Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Specialized Program. The Carrera Program was a holistic teen pregnancy prevention program; the program worked with more than 180 students over four years at a k-8 Milwaukee Public Charter School. Beyond my work with the 5th-8th grade students of the Carrera Program as a Public Ally, we were expected to unlearn, learn, and confront how we view the world and the people in it. Restorative practices were implored to provide a container for difficult conversations and addressing conflict. The restorative portion of my service was the most profound experience during my time as a service member. Although I am a descendant of enslaved West Africans, I, too, had the opportunity to confront my own misuse of power and privilege. I began a process of healing that allowed me to view my relationships, work, and the world with more compassion and care.
Thus I began to “transform the narrative”. I continued to learn and facilitate restorative processes and utilize the skills throughout all aspects of my life. Choosing not to react, leaning into curiosity, regularly reflecting inwardly, and challenging my core assumptions, have helped me become an inclusive leader. I strive to cultivate and provide an authentic, diverse, and inclusive workplace community. Valuing all team members authentically for who they are and the skills they bring allows for diverse teams to solve complex issues.
Inclusive leadership is my jam!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So much to do out here on the front range! But here is your ultimate guide for a week on the Northern Colorado front range (NOCO)…

Monday: Boulder Mountain Park
Hike the iconic flat irons, with great vistas of the CU Boulder Campus and city. Afterward, have a cocktail at the historic Chautauqua Dining Hall.

Tuesday: Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park Day Trip
Visit Estes Park and enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. Start your Rocky Mountain National Park adventure in Estes Park Colorado. While in Estes Park, visit The Stanley Hotel, an iconic landmark famous for its charm, history, and “The Shining.”

Wednesday: Pearl Street Mall
Walk the streets of downtown Boulder’s shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Great views of the flat irons from rooftop restaurants and bars like Avanti and Rosetta Hall. Be sure to take in some enticing street performances.

Thursday: Hike Bear Peak
The second tallest peak in Boulder is located in south Boulder’s mountain park. Added bonus: the trailhead is located just west of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Great views of the Rockies and the City. Afterward, snag a beer and a bite at Southern Sun Pub & Brewery.

Friday: Day trip to Denver
Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche, Rapids, Broncos, Meowolf, Five Points

Saturday: Boulder Farmers’ Market & LaVern M Johnson Park
LaVern M Johnson Park, in the heart of Lyons, Colorado, sits at an elevation of 5,370 feet, is bounded on three sides by the North St. Vrain River, and is nestled among sandstone cliffs. The park and campground are managed by the Town of Lyons. Amenities include RV and tent camping, fly fishing, kayaking, and tubing in the river, and a great playground for kids. Camp next to the North St. Vrain River and beneath the Lyons Sandstone cliffs

Sunday: Brunch at the Sink
Since 1923, The Sink has served the “self-proclaimed” best pizza and the best burger in Boulder. Located near CU on The Hill, they are known for their iconic art and their funky vibe and is a Boulder must-see. It’s a piece of Old Boulder you won’t want to miss.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout to Longmont Community Justice Partnership and the executive director Shalene Onyango. I have been a restorative practices practitioner since 2015. Since 2015, I’ve had opportunities to lead, participate in, and learn multifaceted restorative processes. LCJP has trusted me to carry on the legacy of their organization’s restorative training institute. As the training and program director with LCJP, I am able to lead and contribute to the effort of providing community restorative justice to learning institutions and community organizations. LCJP has provided me with the opportunity to grow as a practitioner, leader, advocate, and educator.

Website: https://www.lcjp.org

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ramone-sanders-698815ab

Image Credits
Photo of me: Annika M. Public Allies Team Service Project: unknown Photo of Marcia, Me, and Aiden: Annika M. Photo of LCJP Staff and Board Members: unknown