#IAMRIVIERABEACH Ricky Aiken, Inner City Innovators, Hosts Ann McNeill Artie Williams

After reading the book ACRES OF DIAMONDS by Russell Conwell, I am convinced we are all leaving the diamond mines in our own backyards as we travel around the world looking for larger diamonds, when in fact the diamonds we seek are found within us and our hometown, from whence we came. Therefore, we are calling the podcast, #IAMRIVIERABEACH.  Today's Guest: Ricky AikenFounder and Executive Director of Inner City Innovators, Ricky Aiken has made it his life’s mission to inspire and empower inner city youth to embody the change so desperately needed in their communities. Ricky is a boots-on- the-ground, “all-in”, agent of change who believes that real change happens when the people who need it, lead it. As a child raised in the inner city of West Palm Beach, Ricky has seen firsthand the plights associated with growing up in communities of concentrated disadvantage. He has suffered homelessness, witnessed familial addiction, lost friends to gun violence, and was expected to be another statistic; in fact he admits to being well on his way to fulfilling that destiny until he vowed to change the trajectory of his life. Well known in West Palm Beach for his community activism, Aiken has found a way to use his life experiences and social capital to bring hope to his neighborhood and promote the value of resilience. A celebrates speaker and mentor, he has big plans for the inner city and is working hard to change the image and climate of inner city neighborhoods throughout Palm Beach County.Connect with Mr. Aiken: 561-674-7652Website: InnerCityInnovators.orgCall into the podcast dial 661-554-9219. Join me Ann McNeill, and co-host Dan Callaway 561-531-9184 or 561-848-4991 as we discuss the history, the present, and the future of our great city. Any questions or comments you can reach Ann McNeill at 786-546-0184