“Freeway” Ricky Ross

Ricky Donnell Ross, better known as “Freeway” Rick Ross, is one of those rare figures whose experience as a drug kingpin has led him to a life of rebuilding the community in which he once helped destroy. According to the Oakland Tribune” In the course of his rise, prosecutors estimate that Ross exported several tons of cocaine nationally, and made more than $600 million in the process. Counting inflation its 1.6 billion dollars comparing 1986 to 2010. Now, he has applied the passion that helped him build an empire to helping the youth, Ross has been given a second chance to uplift his community by giving back through mentoring and sharing his story.

He plans to inspire many of today’s youths to achieve their greatest successes without following in his footsteps. Ross was a key figure in VH1′s Emmy nominated documentary “Planet Rock History of Crack and Hip Hop featuring Snoop Dogg, Rza, and B-Real of Cypress Hill. As well as the second episode of the first season of BET’s American Gangster documentary series which focused on his story and his connection to the Iran-Contra scandal. He is currently in the process of creating the feature-length film of his life story with Nick Cassavetes, his own documentary “Crack in the System” and creating his autobiographical book. Recognized as a pawn in the CIA drug game, Ross was a pioneer in the crack cocaine trade in Los Angeles, as well as other parts of the U.S. A renowned drug dealer, Ross harvested millions as an unknowing participant of Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency operatives, who provided him with unlimited amounts of cocaine. It was said that his suppliers used the profits to pay for the CIA-spawned Contra war against Nicaragua’s leftist government in the 1980s.

Website: Freeway Ricky Ross