A Manager's March and His Connection to the Crowd
The pace was slow but steady as friends, acquaintances and strangers blanketed a sidewalk underneath the mid-June, Mississippi sun. Signs were waved. Masks were worn. Elbows were bumped. People gathered on a Saturday morning to express their desire for change during an organized march.
A hometown native had scheduled and organized the march, which was titled: Peace, Unity and Justice. That hometown native is Ramondo James, who also happens to be a Store Manager at Store 2720 in Madison. When the walk began, he was leading from the front.
“The route that I wanted was one where we could be seen,” Ramondo said.
The route snaked along a highly visible section of Clinton, Mississippi – the town where Ramondo grew up. For him, the movement is personal. Following the killing of George Floyd, Ramondo watched on social media as protests grew, and frustrations over racial inequity mounted across the country.
He was moved to do something.
“What I wanted to do was do it the right way, not just show up on some corner with 500-1,000 people marching and it shut down the city,” Ramondo said. “My purpose was bringing the community together.”
Ramondo has been with Walmart for 10 years. The father of three started his current Store Manager role last December. Being back near his hometown motivated him to do more. He wanted to make sure he led by example in everything he did.
“I can’t be one way at work and be another way outside of work,” Ramondo said. “I’m all in.”
The march came together with the help of two friends. The group of three planned the event, consulted with city leaders, secured permits and lined the route with water stations. What followed was an overwhelmingly positive response. Ramondo described the sight as a sea of a melting pot of people.
“As I looked back, I kind of got emotional,” Ramondo said. “It was almost 50-50 white and black.”
The success of the event has encouraged Ramondo to consider making it an annual thing. He hopes to establish it as a 5K that takes place every year on the Saturday after Juneteenth. Proceeds from it would be directed to benefit the city or a nonprofit in the area.
“It’s just a humbling feeling that you can bring so many people together that don’t even know each other,” Ramondo said. “And, they’re asking for you to do more.”
The hope is he will look back at his inaugural march as a moment when steps were taken, in more ways than one.
“It’s just a humbling feeling that you can bring so many people together that don’t even know each other. And, they’re asking for you to do more.”
— Ramondo James
More Articles
We dare you to watch What’s Good, Walmart? without smiling. Spoiler: It’s impossible! And that’s exactly the point of this associate-produced online video series.
Denise Killcrease has been driving since 1978 & intends to retire with millions of miles and zero accidents.
Bassel Aboutaha has over 3,500 5-star customer ratings for his store in only six months!? We asked the store manager to explain how his store earned so many kudos.
When Beverly Smith started working at Walmart on December 4, 1970, she was a 16-year-old high school student.
Justin Bauswell, a Store Coach at Store 2320 in Eugene, Oregon, is proud of his Cherokee heritage and grateful for how Walmart has continually supported him and the Native American community.
To help spread optimism, NaToya asked her team to start wearing yellow on Tuesdays.
Associate Becomes Author During Battle with Chronic Illness
Bo & Antonio chat with Brynt Parmeter about Walmart’s military programs
Just keep going. That’s the mantra of 96-year-old associate and Navy veteran Gloria Brasser, better known as “Miss June” to those around her.
Congratulations to all our 2020 Milestone Award Recipients
October 21 marks a milestone for Marshall Johnson that few associates have reached: 50 years with the company.
When a problem arises, Freddie Epperson looks forward to coming up with a solution.
“I think a pharm-ily is a group of people where you see each other go through the hardest of times and you celebrate the best of times,” says Paul Wallace, Pharmacy Manager.
Submit your favorite recipe and you could win a one-on-one cooking class with celebrity chefs and a box of cooking goodies!
The Walmart Associate Short Film Festival is an opportunity for Associates to share their creative storytelling ability through film.
She might sing. Sometimes, she’ll even dance. But most of the time, she’s tossing out unexpected compliments to anyone who approaches the store entrance.
Adisa organized a Class of 2020, graduation-themed event for the more than 30 high school seniors who work at her store.
Store Manager Ramondo James was moved to do something in the wake of protests and frustrations over racial inequity. So he helped organize a march in his hometown of Clinton, Mississippi.
What’s Good, Walmart? is a new series featuring the amazing things our associates are doing every single day. We want to share some positivity from all around the world.
You can now take Walmart Radio with you on the go and listen to what’s playing in stores LIVE from your mobile device or computer. Call with your shout-outs: 1-855-WAL-RDIO.
Store 1279 in Houston, Texas, celebrated the 3,000th OGP Grand Opening in 2019.
