The Consummate Ally – Miguel Ramos

To be an ally, one has to be genuinely invested in advocating for us. An ally must understand who we are, why we’re here, and what we want.

Miguel Ramos meets this definition head on. As the Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion Strategy with the Minnesota Twins, Ramos became one of the few allies we had in the game of baseball. From facilitating our presence inside the organization and beyond, Ramos made it clear to include the LGBTQ community when it comes to bridging us with the ballclub.

Ramos made appearances at Twin Cities Pride with the ballclub’s contingent in the Ashley Rukes Parade. He assisted in bringing in LGBTQ employees at the ballclub, as well as connecting community organizations with the Twins. Ramos also facilitated our “Out in The Stands” events and the subsequent Pride Nights at Target Field.

After 14 years, Ramos decided to move onward from the Twins. This year, he began a new journey with his own firm, the Miguel Ramos Alliance Group. Through this new endeavor, Ramos will continue his push towards diversity and inclusion in the business community, as well as in society.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Ramos brought to the Twins a new perspective on how to integrate diversity into an organization – and business – that only demonstrated it on the surface. Part of Ramos’s strategy was to be completely inclusive – including the LGBTQ community. “I remember my time when we start to talk about diversity, equity, inclusion and when we start to talk about also all communities include the LGBTQ+,” Ramos explained, “I want to be sure that we are really, really honest. I try to be sure that the company – the organization – are really prepared to work with everyone.”

“I remember that day we did Pride Night,” recalled Ramos, “I was with a group from the LGBTQ community in one suite and someone sent one message for social media that say ‘Oh, the Twins are not really committed with this, this is only because they are looking to sell tickets’. And they show me that and smile inside of my heart because I that because they said in the email, they are not going to put the ‘Kiss’ camera in at the game to show our community, they are not going to do that. I smile inside and said let wait. And we did. Then they show me back and the same person said in the social media wow they did.”

There was an impetus that Ramos left behind for the current Twins organization to follow. “I don’t want to do a pride night for do only a pride night,” Ramos explained. “I want to do the event because we really care, and we really know we’re not going to be worried about any kind of comment for any kind of people.”

What drives Ramos today is to take what he implemented at the Twins onto his new venture and onto a wider client base. “The reality is when you are committed about diversity, equity, and inclusion,” explained Ramos, “you need to be sure that you are really authentic in what you do. And, if you want to be authentic and you talk about inclusion, you need to include everyone, and treat everyone with the same level of respect and the same level of welcoming.”

Yet, to accomplish implementing a DEI strategy in any organization, Ramos believes that an organization can “be more successful more quickly. So, why [do] you need to invest 10 years doing something or 20 years doing something, when you can do [it] in five?” Ramos also calls for a sense of urgency when it comes to organizational culture change – even societal change.

Ramos’ strategy and philosophy is rooted in his culture and background. From there, he brings everyone to the table – regardless of one’s identity. In his world, no human being is left behind. “I want to try to humanize those corporations,” said Ramos, “humanize all those organizations, governments, and understand that we need to back again to be human.”

To know Ramos is to know what a true ally is to our community. If you have been around or have worked with Ramos in any capacity, he will call you a brother or sister. You become a family member in comradeship. Which is why the word “alliance” is part of new venture’s name.

“When you work together to accomplish a goal of other people,” Ramos explained, “And, when you help others to be [a] success, you are going to be successful. The challenge of one is your challenge too! Being aligned is beyond just [going] to one event and be there and share or have some fun. Being aligned is a person that care…365 days of the year…about their issue. Take the time to understand, take the time to listen, then to understand where they are, what’s the challenge, how they can be success, how we can bring opportunity, how myself can be helpful.”

“I support the LGBT community not because they are only a one minority community or because they [are] something in the strategic plan,” explained Ramos. “I support the LGBT community because they are in my heart. Because, I feel part of them, and they feel part of me. At the end, I know what [a] business is looking for. And we are going to accomplish that. But at the same time, I ask the business, ‘what you are going to do for them?’”

“The relationship needs to be a win-win relationship,” continued Ramos. “And, when I support the LGBT community, I feel the pain of the LGBT community. I feel the pain and I feel the challenge, and I think about myself, and I see my own challenge and my pain. So, that’s the key. The community’s in my heart. They have a ton of talent; they’re helping me too to be better.”

In addition, Ramos also assisted in bringing the forthcoming Gay Softball World Series to the Twin Cities later this summer. This is what allyship looks like.

Ramos continues to drive change through his new venture. He is still here with us and will continue to be the consummate ally for us at every turn.