Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Sandra Williams are now patrons of the newly established Ricardo Rarriteau Drue Foundation.

The endorsement was formalized when Nicola Barriteau, the nonprofit’s founder and mother of the late musician Ricardo Drue, presented the foundation’s vision and operational plans.

The Foundation, in a statement, highlighted the late Ricardo Drue’s foresight before his passing in 2023.

He recognized “the need to establish workshops inclusive of voice training, dance, and drama for young people in the Caribbean, starting with Antigua and Barbuda. One of the strategies discussed was to utilize role models within the art form to assist in the development of the creative sector.”

Speaking on specific plans, governor general, his excellency Rodney Williams Rodney Williams, emphasizes the Halo Foundation’s enduring commitment to youth-centric activities. Sir Rodney said

“I am pleased that the upcoming legacy workshops, conceived by the foundation, are targeting the 5-17 year olds. the young people of our nation need to equip themselves with all the skills possible.”

Sir Rodney and Lady Williams are patrons to a combined total of 36 charities, spanning various sectors including arts and culture, community outreach, support for the differently-abled, education, the elderly, history and heritage, the environment, health, sports, uniformed bodies, women and girls, world peace and youth.

The Legacy Workshops is a series of workshops under the umbrella of the Ricardo Barriteau Drue Foundation.

The first workshop block is carded for July 31, 2024- Ricardo’s birthday and will continue three times per week throughout the month of August.

During the series specific emphasis is placed on those who may not have access to camps, creative classes, and or simple extracurricular activities that some may take for granted.

Thirty applicants will be chosen for the Legacy Workshops, there is no fee attached to the sessions or cost attached to the participants.