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Today, at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Ray Rickman received the Outstanding Philanthropic Citizen Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals: Rhode Island Chapter. Friday, November 22, marks National Philanthropy Day; Ray, along with other notable Rhode Island individuals (like those pictured above) enjoyed a beautifully-made breakfast while honorees received their awards.

Bow Ties Take Over The University Club at Stages of Freedom Event The annual Stages of Freedom's Published by GoLocalProv Bow Ties for Boys event packed the University Club on Saturday morning. The event sponsored by Awoken Apparel, Starbucks, the University Club, Franklin Rogers, and GoLocalProv.com provides young boys of color an opportunity to learn important skills that will enable them to accomplish their goals and be successful in life. More than a dozen mentors assisted the boys in learning skills like shaking hands, introducing themselves, and tying a bow tie. "Each boy leaves with his very own classy bow tie," said Stages of Freedom co-founder Ray Rickman. One of the Stages of Freedom's major missions is "to provide youth of color access to swimming programs in order to reduce the number of drownings in the minority community. Six Annual Bow Ties for Boys Published by Providence Journal Sixth Annual Bow Ties for Boys, and event hosted by Stages of Freedom, was held Saturday morning at the University Club in Providence. This annual free program provides young boys of color an opportunity to learn important skills that will enable them to accomplish their goals and be successful in life. Male mentors assist them in shaking hands, introducing themselves, and tying a bow tie. Each boy leaves with his very own classy bow tie. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig]

To see the list, visit https://travelnoire.com/50-in-50-museums-that-capture-black-american-history-in-every-state/

A new exhibit “Do Lord Remember Me — The Black Church in Rhode Island” is up at Stages of Freedom, the non-profit museum and shop right across from the Turk’s Head on Westminster. https://providencedailydose.com/2018/02/01/black-church-ri-stages-freedom/

FROM THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL In more than three decades of introducing city kids to the arts, Robb Dimmick has developed an eye for spotting students with the drive to make a career in the entertainment industry, like a young Viola Davis, back in 1982. “You could tell from minute one she had drive, conviction and passion and this is something she wanted to do,” Dimmick said of Davis. “Ninety-nine percent of kids don’t go on to careers in the performing arts, but you can see the potential in some that just make a beeline for the brass ring.” Oscar-winner Davis is one of the hundreds of teenagers Dimmick has worked with as a volunteer over the years, combining teaching and performing and mixing in history with acting and jazz. The program director for the nonprofit group Stages of Freedom, Dimmick’s first theater work with Providence teens came at the West End Community Center, which is where he worked with Davis. “My passion is teaching both theater and jazz to urban youth as ways for them to connect to their personal identity and heritage and getting a sense of who they are,” Dimmick, 62, said in a phone interview. A theater major at the University of New Hampshire, Dimmick realized that he enjoyed teaching as much as acting and decided to double-major in education. As an actor, Dimmick is probably best known for portraying President Abraham Lincoln in touring productions, a role he played for 30 years before retiring his beard in 2013. Stages of Freedom, which Dimmick started with executive director Ray Rickman, promotes African-American history, teaches swimming to children of color and connects them with mentors. While he has moved on from the West End Community Center, Dimmick still directs two plays each year at two public schools in Providence. For the last 15 years, Dimmick has also run Jazz as a Rainbow, an intensive summer program that teaches children of color the history of jazz, the songbook and vocal techniques. Each year, Dimmick takes the program’s participants to the Newport Jazz Festival. What has he learned over the years from teaching children history and the arts? “The primary thing I have learned about young people is they are underappreciated by our society at large,” Dimmick said. “They are willing to take risks and be challenged. They are not set in their ways, so you can accomplish extraordinary things by pushing them.”

33 religious leaders joined Bishop Jeffery Williams (l) and Bishop H. Curtis Douglas (r) as Stages of Freedom's Ray Rickman (c) led a walking tour of African American sites on Providence's College Hill in 92 degree heat. They stand in front of a plaque commemorating Sissieretta Jones, America's first Black opera diva, who lived on College Hill in her retirement, and sang with the Congdon Street Baptist Church choir.

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island nonprofit Stages of Freedom is helping empower inner-city youth of color by teaching them how to swim. “It’s hard to raise money because a lot of people see swimming as fun,” said Ray Rickman, executive director of Stages of Freedom, speaking at the organization’s new museum, book shop, and event space at 10 Westminster St. But for black Americans, swimming is not always viewed as a leisure activity, he said. “The majority of people of color are afraid to swim,” Rickman said.

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Stages of Freedom Executive Director Ray Rickman stops by GoLocal LIVE to talk about the significance of Black History Month and the importance of providing programs for youth in Rhode Island. Rickman describes an idea they have at Stages of Freedom, “If everyone understood, knew about, was educated about, felt something about Black History, everything would change." Some of the events the non-profit hosts are the Bow Ties for Boys Event, and the Girls Tea Party at Lippitt House. “It’s about manners” Rickman says. He explained the children have opportunities to make connections, see role models and put their cell phones down. Another mission of Stages of Freedom is to give youth of color access to swimming programs. Rickman says the powerful benefits behind swimming are beyond health. Stages of Freedom works to provide swim lessons to children of color so they can in turn experience mental and physical benefits of swimming, have access to jobs, and not face social discrimination" (GoLocalProv).

Stages of Freedom Program Director, Robb Dimmick, offers his masterful programs. "Being Lincoln" and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol are among the many in his repertoire. A seasoned actor and storyteller, Dimmick offers an unforgettable evening for any setting. For more information, visit our Speaking Engagements page and scroll to the bottom.