Our Keynote Speaker will be “Freeway” Rick Ross. Freeway is one of those rare figures whose experience as a drug kingpin has lead 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. 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.

In the last year Switch Lanes has created a mentorship/mediation program at Waukegan High School, mediated a gang truce between five Lake County gangs leading to an 80% reduction in crime within that area, assisted 21 individuals with enrolling in community college, mediated over 100 gang disputes with various street organizations, and has allowed those ordered to do community service to do so through Switch Lanes. With your attendance and donation to this event we can do so much more.

Proceeds from this event benefit Switch Lanes as we continue our work helping individuals who may be going down an unproductive path to “Switch Lanes” to a more focused and productive path by providing the necessary tools, resources, and guidance to help individuals make better informed life decisions. The four main pillars of Switch Lanes are education, entrepreneurship, economic development, and legal justice.

Join us to hear Freeway's story of redemption, enjoy some amazing food, and help us honor those who are breaking the cycle of violence and recidivism right here in our own community.