Ryan Hicks

Ryan Hicks (born June 18, 1983) is an African American basketball player and philanthropist. He is best known for his active participation in the Ballin’ for Peace Movement, an NGO operating for the past three decades, organizing entertainment events to uplift the youth of the country.
Ballin’ for Peace Movement was established by Hicks’ father, Kenn Hicks, best known as the Godfather of Streetball, and furthered by Hicks as a legacy. As of 2021, Hicks serves as the At-Risk Youth Program Director of this organization. He is also in charge of the Domestic Violence Prevention Boot Camp.
Hicks, in his career, has won several awards for his excellence in basketball and has also been featured in several media outlets for his philanthropic endeavors. These include CNN, ABC, NBC, Yahoo, Latestly, Daily News, The Philadelphia Sunday, and others. 
==Early life and education==
Hicks was born on June 18, 1983, in Panorama City, California. He is the son of Kenn Hicks, popularly regarded as the Godfather of Streetball and the founder of Venice Beach Basketball Showdown, which was active for two decades. World-renowned NBA and WNBA players participated in this showdown, including Chris Childs, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Derek Fisher, and Lisa Leslie, to name a few. 
After graduating from Granada Hills High School (where he was a double letterman), Hicks went to the California State University of Northridge, and Kansas Wesleyan University, where he acquired a degree in Communications. 
==Career==
Hicks began his professional career as a basketball player when he was in college. During his time at Kansas Wesleyan University, he was a part of both the basketball and soccer teams. In 2004, Hicks played for UCLA Bruins in the Say No Classic alongside Jordan Farmar and Aaron Afflalo (former NBA players).
Apart from his career as a basketball player, Hicks has also endeavored into philanthropy by establishing the renowned Ballin’ for Peace nonprofit organization. It aims at facilitating positive recreational activities for youth and adults in the community. Since its inception, Ballin’ for Peace has organized numerous programs worldwide, uplifting the underprivileged youth. Many of these events have been endorsed by numerous celebrities and professional athletes through sports and music. Hicks himself has been the executive producer of the three Ballin’ for Peace Mixtapes with multiple artists and DJs such as Tang Clan, Redman, G-Unit, Wu, Dj Felli Fel, Dj Drama, and others. Overall, these projects have accumulated 3,000,000+ streams.
==Awards==
* Communications Student of the Year, 2004
* Communications Student of the Year, 2005
* Certificate of Appreciation from Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, 2008
* Marriott Year of Surprises Award Winner, 2014
* City of Philadelphia Citation, 2015
* Hero Among Us Award from the Philadelphia 76ers, 2015
* Kansas Wesleyan University Young Alumnus Award, 2019
==Gallery==
==In the media==
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==References==
==External links==
* Official Website
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Category:1983 births
Category:African-American basketball players
Category:American philanthropists
Category:African-American people
Category:Kansas Wesleyan University alumni