Robert L. Sanders (born December 20, 1961) is a lifelong Mississippian dedicated to faith, family, and community. He was born and raised in Shaw, Mississippi, and later settled in nearby Cleveland, Mississippi. Sanders has been married to Tracey (Boddie) Sanders for 39 years, and together they have three children – Krystal, Brittney, and Alexis – as well as five beloved grandchildren, Treyson, Rylie, Ivy, Amari, and Jayce. A man of strong faith, Sanders is a devoted member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, where he has served for decades and is the Senior Deacon of the congregation. His roots in the Mississippi Delta and his close-knit family have profoundly shaped his values of humility, service, and compassion.
Educational Background
Sanders earned his college degree at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), an HBCU in Itta Bena, Mississippi. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from MVSU. As a first-generation college student, Sanders attended MVSU on a basketball scholarship, crediting his education to hard work both in the classroom and on the court. His time at “The Valley” instilled in him not only academic knowledge but also the university’s motto of “Live for Service,” a principle that would guide him throughout his life and career.
Athletic Career
Standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall, Robert Sanders was a formidable presence on the basketball court. From 1980 to 1984, he played center for the MVSU Delta Devils men’s basketball team, distinguishing himself as one of the program’s standout players. Sanders set multiple records during his collegiate career and earned numerous accolades: he was a two-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) performer and a Black College All-American selection during his tenure . In addition, he was honored as the Phi Beta Sigma Athlete of the Year for his athletic and academic excellence .
His athletic achievements at MVSU have become part of a family legacy. Sanders and several of his first cousins were renowned on campus as “The Sanders Boys,” all excelling in sports; in a unique feat, each of them was later inducted into the MVSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Robert Sanders himself is an MVSU Basketball Hall of Famer, cementing his legacy in the university’s sports history.
After graduating in 1984, Sanders briefly pursued professional basketball opportunities. He spent time in training camp with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, and then went on to play professional basketball overseas. His pro career took him to Europe as well as to South America, where he played in Argentina, gaining international experience on the court. These years abroad broadened his horizons and provided life experiences that would later inform his approach to leadership and teamwork.
Professional Career
Following his basketball career, Sanders returned home to Mississippi and devoted himself to public safety, education, and law enforcement – a field in which he has accumulated over 30 plus years of experience. His professional roles have been diverse but always community-focused. Over the decades, Robert L. Sanders has served in the following capacities:
• Police Officer – serving with the Cleveland Police Department, where he protected and served local citizens.
• School Resource Officer (SRO) – working in schools to ensure student safety and mentor youth.
• Educator and Coach – as a teacher and boys’ basketball coach in Mound Bayou, MS, he guided young students both in the classroom and on the basketball court.
• Chief of Police – leading the police force of his hometown (City of Shaw) on two separate occasions, and later serving as Chief of Police at his alma mater, Mississippi Valley State University.
• Sergeant-at-Arms – appointed to the Mississippi State Senate’s Sergeant-at-Arms Office (2000–2004), where he oversaw security and protocol at the State Capitol .
• Internal Affairs Investigator – working with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, where he investigated and upheld standards of conduct within the department.
In each of these roles, Sanders built a reputation for integrity, mentorship, and dedication. Whether patrolling city streets, guiding students, or managing a police department, he focused on community trust and improvement. By continuously seeking professional training and education (logging thousands of hours of law enforcement training), he ensured that he stayed current on best practices to better serve the public. Sanders often mentions that his drive in these roles was “to be for others, the person I wished I had growing up,” reflecting his deep commitment to youth development and public service.
Political Career
Robert Sanders transitioned into public office, bringing his public safety and community experience into the political arena. He is a long-serving member of the Cleveland City Council, representing Ward 2 on the Cleveland Board of Aldermen. Now in his fifth term as the Ward 2 Councilman, Sanders was re-elected by his community due to his effective leadership and approachable style. First elected in the mid-2000s, he has served approximately 16+ years in municipal government, focusing on improving city services, supporting local businesses and enhancing Cleveland.
In November 2021, Robert L. Sanders won a special election to the Mississippi House of Representatives (District 29). He was sworn in on November 3, 2021, to represent District 29 (encompassing parts of Bolivar and Sunflower counties) and hit the ground running at the State Capitol. Voters again showed their confidence in him in the 2023 general elections, electing him to a full term. He is now serving in his second term in the Mississippi House.
At the State Legislature, Rep. Sanders has taken on key assignments. He is the Vice-Chairman of the House Interstate Cooperation Committee, where he helps facilitate collaboration between Mississippi and other states on regional issues. In addition, he is an active member of eight other House committees, reflecting a broad policy portfolio. His committee memberships include :
• Agriculture – Member
• Corrections – Member
• County Affairs – Member
• Education – Member
• Ethics – Member
• Judiciary A – Member
• Tourism – Member
• Universities and Colleges – Member
Through these committee roles, Rep. Sanders contributes to legislation on topics ranging from farming and rural development to criminal justice reform, local government, school policy, ethical governance, economic development through tourism, and the strengthening of higher education (including support for Mississippi’s universities and colleges). Colleagues in the House have noted Sanders’ practical experience and down-to-earth perspective when crafting policies, especially those affecting law enforcement, education, and rural communities.
Leadership and Service
Beyond his official duties, Robert L. Sanders is deeply involved in civic leadership and service organizations at the local and state levels. He has continuously sought ways to give back to the institutions that shaped him and to uplift those around him. His leadership and memberships include:
• Member, MVSU Athletics Hall of Fame – Sanders leads the Mississippi Valley State University Athletics Hall of Fame organization, helping honor and encourage former and current student-athletes (he himself was inducted for basketball excellence).
• Member, Bolivar County MVSU Alumni Association – An active alumnus, he works with the local MVSU alumni chapter to support university initiatives and student scholarships in his home county.
• Member, Mississippi Association of Police – Staying connected to the law enforcement community statewide .
• Member, Mississippi Municipal League (MML) Executive Board – Serving on the executive board of the association that supports Mississippi cities and towns .
• Former Member, Salvation Army Executive Board – Helping guide the Salvation Army’s charitable efforts in the region .
• Member, Chamber of Commerce – Involved with the local Chamber of Commerce (Cleveland/Bolivar County), promoting economic development and community business partnerships .
In all these capacities, Sanders is known for being approachable and motivational. He often volunteers for mentorship programs, speaks at local schools and events, and participates in community service projects. His colleagues and neighbors regard him as a bridge-builder who brings people together for the common good.
Personal Summary
Robert L. Sanders embodies the spirit of a servant-leader, driven by a genuine passion for his community and guided by faith and principle. From humble beginnings in the Mississippi Delta to halls of the State Capitol, Sanders has remained grounded in the values he learned as a young student-athlete at MVSU – discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and above all, service. He is quick to credit his mother, grandmother, family, coaches and mentors for his success, and in turn, he has devoted his life to mentoring others. As a church deacon, a coach, a police chief, and a public official, Robert Sanders has always sought to uplift those around him. He often invokes the credo, “To whom much is given, much is required,” reflecting his belief that blessings come with the responsibility to give back. Warm and personable, with a ready smile, Sanders has a gift for connecting with people – whether he’s encouraging youth to pursue their education, working across the aisle on legislation, or simply lending a helping hand in his neighborhood. In every role he has held, Robert L. Sanders has been the steady, compassionate presence of a leader who lives for service, making him a respected figure in Cleveland, in District 29, and across the state of Mississippi.
