Ram has inspired people of all ages, races, identities, and abilities to get involved in a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the impact of gun violence on youth, families, and communities. He has empowered hundreds of youth to express their voices through creative channels, such as drumming, dance, and drama.
In the early 1990’s, Ram organized a world percussion ensemble to memorialize the life of his brother, Lester Michael Gooding, who died from a gunshot wound. Ram set out to help reduce gun violence throughout the country in honor of Lester. He moved to Richmond, Virginia and co-founded Drums No Guns to motivate people of all ages and backgrounds to oppose gun violence and engage in a process of ‘healing community with rhythm.’
More than two decades later, Drums No Guns has evolved into a non-profit organization working across the nation with youth, families, and communities traumatized from gun violence. On behalf of the foundation, Ram integrates yoga, mindfulness, drumming, dance, drama, trauma healing, and peacemaking circles to promote non-violence (ahimsa) in school and community settings. This integrative cultural arts program reflects Ram’s deep commitment to the prevention of gun violence, and to the social emotional health of African American and Latinx youth.
The Drums No Guns Foundation offers private and group drumming and mindfulness classes, community building and community healing drum circles, interactive presentations and workshops, as well as amazing performances. Currently, the foundation is focusing on the following three projects to address community and school gun violence: 1) Richmond Youth Peace Project (RYPP), 2) Ankraha Yoga Garden (AYG), and 3) Mother’s United for Restorative Justice (MURJ).
RYPP is a collaboration between DNG Foundation and Richmond Peace Education Center that provides conflict resolution training for middle, high school, and university students; racial justice and community-based trauma healing training for youth; an annual Generation Dream Edu~Concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and a regional youth summit for peace activists, advocates and allies.
AYG is a sustainable and restorative urban garden space for youth and families, who have been traumatized by community gun violence. Dr. Bhagat has donated an acre of green space, located on the southside of Richmond, Virginia, to establish the Ankraha Yoga Garden. The purpose of this urban gardening project is to create an Oasis for Peace with a labyrinth for self-reflection and healing, mindfulness paths, an herbal island, gazebos for meditation, a mini-farm with raised bed plots for seasonal vegetables, a mini-orchard with an assortment of fruit trees, and a rain garden to honor victims of gun violence. Ram is also working closely with his undergraduate professor and Guru Dr. Janeshwar Upadhyay, to reduce the threat of violence and terrorism in a village in North India, where the AYG originated.
MURJ is a special project, called Mothers United for Restorative Justice, that Ram is devoted to establishing in honor of his mom and other mothers who have lost their children because of gun violence.
Ways to Engage
Classes
Circles
Presentations
Performances
Workshop
Your donations help to support youth and families traumatized by gun violence.
Get Involved with Drums no guns
Reach out to Ram to get started with Drums No Guns.