Belton holds a B.A. from Cornell College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is a retiree from a 40-plus year career in public service. His most recent position was that of Deputy Director for Ramsey County, Minnesota’s Juvenile Corrections Division. During his tenure, he instituted culturally responsive treatment and programming, as well as formed trusted relationships with impacted communities of color.  As a proud member of the working retired, Belton has consulted with the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s youth incarceration reform initiative, known as the “Deep End.” He is also an associate consultant with CultureBrokers, LLC, a company devoted to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Belton has been a tireless advocate for the total elimination of racial and ethnic disparities and disproportions in Minnesota’s justice systems. He has encouraged focused-attention on creating culturally-rooted responses to youth of color, especially African American males.