One of LA’s most notorious drug dealers is now dedicating his life to charity
By John “Hennry” Harris
Freeway Ricky Ross ran a criminal drug enterprise that earned him more than $600 million distributing cocaine that was used to sponsor CIA-backed Contra Rebels in Central America. Released from prison in 2009 for good behavior, the Real Rick Ross now backs more laudable causes.
Sachia Vickery, a 17-year-old rising tennis star, will be competing in the U.S. Open on Aug. 26, thanks in part to funding from Ross’ Freeway Literacy Foundation. The Freeway Literacy Foundation paid for Vickery’s accommodations at the USTA Girls 18s National Championship where she beat Alexandra Kiick, earning her a spot at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Ross played tennis while in high school in Los Angeles and knows firsthand how costly the sport can be. He learned of Vickery’s financial troubles and was compelled to help the rising Black tennis star.
“Me and my partner, Antonio Moore, also are looking to help her with room and board while at the U.S. Open,” Ross told the Atlanta Black Star. “One of my personal goals is to open doors and help entertainers and athletes see ways to open doors.”
Ross says he abandoned the drug trade and is proud to have played a small role in Vickery’s victory.
“We believe in the positive impact global sports like tennis can have on an inner city child’s exposure,” Ross toldABS. “Through tennis at Dorsey High School, I got to see beyond South Central LA. Literacy is about academic, financial and social language.”
“I want her to succeed and work with me and the foundation to do tennis and academic literacy camps across the country. I believe the impact Venus and Serena Williams had was monumental, and they really opened the door for Sachia to push forward with a message of social justice. “
Sachia Vickery, of Miramar, Fla., gets to live out her dreams and hopefully inspire others like Venus and Serena Williams. Maybe the rapper Rick Ross, who also hails from South Florida, should take more notice of Freeway’s current endeavors rather than base his image on Freeway’s past exploits.
“It feels unbelievable,” she said after the match. “It hasn’t sunkin that I’m going to be playing at the U.S. Open. “It’s been my dream since I started playing tennis. I can’t even put it into words how happy I am.”
