My name is Ram (they/them). I am a special education teacher at DRW College Prep in North Lawndale on the west side of Chicago focused on preparing youth for life after high school for a choice filled and abundant life through community organizing, financial literacy, and more! 

Teaching in Chicago has changed my life to rethink and reframe my mindsets along with engaging with abolitionism. I believe in ending systems of oppression and violence starts with people who are at the margins and believing in each ourselves through love and hope. I am grateful to have received training and supports from Apna Ghar to holistically combat domestic violence from challenging our own internalized abusive mindsets to challenging structures of violence on our youth & families especially who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, low-income, undocumented, LGBTQIA, neurodivergent, different body types outside of the Eurocentric norms, and more. 

I find movement a place that I can learn to heal as well as challenge toxic cultures of fitness that don’t actually “heal.” It does take great privilege for me to embark on this journey and I hope to continue to engage in political education as well as movement as an educator, organizer, neighbor, learner, and person of constant growth & beginner’s mindset. I am part of the Pilsen Heart and Soul’s group & I incredibly appreciate all the courage and love from each of the runners! 

I chose to fundraise for Apna Ghar as I am a queer South Asian survivor and I believe we need to empower one another as we end systematic sexual violence. I am fundraising to support with more trainings that are culturally responsive along with more programming for survivors of color and their families. 

Please support my fundraising efforts for the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. No donation is too small. Please click on the donate button!