Behind The Movement

Meet Founder, Ronald Downs, LCSW, Relationship Coach, Licensed Psychotherapist, and Champion of BIPOC Mental Health.

Ronald Downs was born in Managua, Nicaragua, and moved to Miami, Florida, as a child. Growing up, he witnessed the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health in communities of color and its lasting impact on individuals and families. This early exposure ignited his passion for advocacy and set him on a path to becoming a change agent in his community.

To further his mission, Ronald earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from NYU, where he met his wife, Lauren Downs—a fashion mogul in the making.

Ronald specializes in suicide prevention and provides culturally affirming psychotherapy to men of color and their partners. Deeply committed to communities of color, Ronald is bilingual and leads with empathy, lived experience, and a steadfast belief that love is the most powerful force for transformation.

Ronald's WHY

Ronald launched I KNEW THEN in memoriam of his late cousin, Jane, whose life was taken. A loss that opened his eyes to the reality of relationship violence. This tragedy became his own I KNEW THEN moment—a turning point where his purpose became clear. It awakened a deeper calling: to empower individuals—especially those from communities of color—to nurture love-centered relationships with themselves and others, cultivating clarity, connection, and renewal.

HIS VISION

To create a world where love is recognized as the foundation of connection, healing, and growth—and where individuals feel empowered to build healthy, transformative relationships with themselves and others.

HIS MISSION

To help individuals rediscover love through reflections, affirmations, and inspiring stories. This journey guides others to discover their own I KNEW THEN moments—pivotal realizations about love and how it shapes who they are and how they connect with others.