In the Arena – Ray Rickman, Stages of Freedom

Each week Joe Paolino Jr. talks to a leader in Rhode Island about issues of the day. This interview is with Ray Rickman, co-founder and director of Stages of Freedom, a nonprofit building bridges across cultural divides through exciting public engagement. Stages also operates an educational museum working to bring art objects, books & gift sales to support the cause of swimming programs for African American youth.

2,700 children have learned to swim with the help of Stages of Freedom. Rickman’s latest project is to expand the swimming program by building a Pool for Providence. Here more about that, here – as well as cultural opportunities in Providence for minority children of limited income. Rickman talks about options available for children and how we need to change their lives by opening up their world to things of wonder.

Be sure to watch In The Arena each week at 7am on ABC6