James Ramos
San Bernardino Community College - Board of Trustees - California
Tribe: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

James C. Ramos, a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, is the first American Indian to serve on the Board of Trustees of San Bernardino Community College. He is a leader in his tribe and for the community, serving in the past as chairman of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission and treasurer of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

As founder of the San Manuel Cultural Awareness Program, Ramos is active building and advocating programs that promote awareness of the history, culture, and language of the San Manuel Band and the role of Indians of all tribes in California history. He has secured funding for a book on his tribe’s history and developed interactive computer software to teach the Serrano language and detail his tribe’s history for use in local schools.

In addition to his work promoting the history of San Manuel Indians and preserving the culture of his community, Ramos is an investor and small business owner for four area businesses and is active on several boards for local non-profits and community education initiatives. His service to his community and his work on behalf of Indian culture is vital to the San Bernardino area and we are proud to highlight his work as an elected official.