Welcome to I KNEW THEN:
Where love heals, aligns, and thrives.
Behind the Movement:
Meet Founder, Ronald Downs, LCSW,
Love Aficionado, and Champion
of BIPOC Mental Health.
Ronald Downs was born in Managua, Nicaragua,
and immigrated to Miami, Florida, as a child. He witnessed
the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health in communities of color and it’s lasting impact on individuals and families. This early exposure ignited his passion for advocacy and set him on a path to becoming a change agent in his community.
To further his mission, Ronald earned a bachelor’s in Psychology from Georgia State University and a master’s in Clinical Social Work from NYU. Ronald is happily married to his wife, Lauren, who he met his first week of graduate school.
Ronald calls New York City home and has dedicated his post-graduate career to serving the Bronx. Bilingual and deeply connected to his community, Ronald believes that mental health professionals should reflect the people they serve. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, he works in suicide prevention with the Veteran community.
Additionally, Ronald has a private practice where he offers individual psychotherapy and couples counseling to men of color and their partners, empowering them to overcome unique challenges and find strength in vulnerability. Over the years, Ronald has helped countless clients reclaim their lives.
Beyond his clinical work, Ronald is a strong advocate for healthy relationships. He launched 'I KNEW THEN' on Instagram in 2024 in memoriam of his late cousin, Jane, who's live was lost through intimate partner violence. Through 'I KNEW THEN,' Ronald hopes to help individuals rediscover love by sharing transformative reflections, affirmations, and stories that inspire deeper, meaningful connections with others—and with themselves. Ronald’s work is grounded in the belief that love—in all its forms, whether self-love, romantic, familial, or platonic—is the foundation of a healthy, fulfilling life.
"See all human behavior as one of two things, either love or a call for love." -Marianne Williamson