President Latino Coalition

Speaker, Author & Mentor Richard R. Ramos' twenty-seven year history of progressive and effective community leadership is widely recognized throughout the U.S. Richard brings a fresh voice and vision that inspires and instructs individuals, families and communities how to address today's real issues and develop a better quality of life for all.

Ramos is author of the book, Got Gangs? - Practical Guidance for Parents/Teachers on a Mission for Gang prevention/intervention (July 2006) and the co-founder of the Latino Coalition for Faith & Community Initiatives, a national nonprofit whose purpose is to strengthen and expand the capacity of nonprofits serving at-risk Latino youth and families. Based in Bakersfield, California, the Latino Coalition helps find, fund, form and feature grassroots, faith-based organizations that touch lives and transform communities. Under his leadership, the Latino Coalition is now working in nine cities in six states to address Latino youth, family and community issues. One could say that Ramos' background has helped shape his unique blend of leadership qualities. Early in his career, he served as a correctional officer in both state and federal prisons, a Juvenile Hall instructor and at-risk junior high and high school counselor, co-founding director of a gang intervention/prevention community coalition, director of a Latino youth and family Teen Center, Senior Pastor for sixteen years, and founding director of the Interfaith Initiative (IFI) of Santa Barbara County. For his work in the field of human rights and interfaith understanding, he has received numerous accolades and awards.