Vincent D. Perez, MPA
PO Box 13501
Olympia, WA 98508
(318) 510-1936
Vincent is the son of Yolanda Ramirez-Lemarr and Rudy Perez. He is the husband of Kim Jansen and father to Tristan, Chase, and Devon. He is brother to Marla, Rudy and Rebecca. Vincent’s vocation is dedicated to the art and skill of facilitation. Meaningful learning experiences that honor the dignity of participants is his first priority. Vincent currently leads Rethink Manhood, working with men and boys to deconstruct and counter cultural narratives regarding what it means to be a "real" man. In addition, Vincent currently leads the Equity Institute, a national collective of equity consultants and recently created an Equity Audit Instrument for educational institutions.
Vincent serves with the Continua Consulting Group on Trauma-Informed MTSS and with the team at Character Strong (SEL curriculum and character education). Vincent’s practice is rooted in experiential education with a focus on culturally responsive pedagogy, trauma-informed systems, juvenile justice reform, implementation science, family engagement, near-peer mentorship and Latinx bilingual leadership. Vincent is especially moved by opportunities to witness students discover their voices and affirm their self-worth. He frequently speaks at schools, facilitates student programs and trains adult staff to better serve their students. Vincent earned an AAS in photographic communications at Northwest College, an undergraduate degree from the University of Idaho, and a Master of Public Administration at the Evergreen State College. As an educator, Vincent Perez aims to sustain the integrity, courage, and commitment of children, families, and service providers.
Vincent Perez served as the Latinx outreach coordinator for the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) under the Association of Washington School Principals’ (AWSP) from 2012-2017. Previously, Vincent worked for five years in the Louisiana juvenile court system coordinating mentoring and diversion programs with Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) and managed the challenge course at the Cispus Learning Center from 2001-2006. In 2004, Vincent founded La Cima (the Summit), a bilingual leadership camp. This later led to the middle school program ¡La Chispa! (the Spark!). In a partnership with OSPI’s Migrant Ed division, Vincent co-founded the credit-bearing Dare to Dream Academies serving high school, migrant youth for a week-long experience in a university setting. Long-term collaborations include partnerships with XITO WA Winter Institute (Xicanx Institute for Teaching and Organizing) to inform WA’s conversation on ethnic studies, Lewis County Thrives collective impact efforts, and as Green Hill School’s (state juvenile rehabilitation facility) Latino culture group leader of Group Ollin. Grupo Ollin is exploring Indigenous knowledge and healing ceremonies (la cultura cura), examining the impact of toxic masculinity and violence in our lives, and developing a critical thinking approach to criminal justice reform. During free time, Vincent enjoys running, playing guitar and practicing yoga nidra.
Alejandro hernandez-Betancourt
Indigenous Epistemology | Danza | Ceremony
Alejandro Hernandez-Betancourt offers teachings gleaned from elders across multiple tribes. His work celebrates the tribes of the north and the south. He provides instruction in in Danza and other ceremony that brings communities together.
"Four fundamental truths: (1) our capacity to destroy one another is matched by our capacity to heal one another. Restoring relationships and community is central to restoring well-being; (2) language gives us the power to change ourselves and others by communicating our experiences, helping us to define what we know, and finding a common sense of meaning; (3) we have the ability to regulate our own physiology, including some of the so-called involuntary functions of the body and brain, through such basic activities as breathing, moving, and touching; and (4) we can change social conditions to create environments in which children and adults can feel safe and where they can thrive."
- Bessel van der Kolk