Ray Franks grew up mostly in Knoxville, TN. After deciding at an early age to become a Jazz saxophonist, he left high school early to study at the University of Tennessee and William Patterson College. Ray moved into the Harlem neighborhood of NYC in 1989 to continue his career in music. While busy touring, playing in clubs and Broadway pits, and recording, he also taught hundreds of kids how to swim at the Westside YMCA. In 1998 he met and married his wife and bought a brownstone in Harlem. Two years later, they had the first of three children, so Ray transitioned to stay-at-home dad while still taking gigs. After the third child, with encouragement from his wife, Ray started a custom furniture and woodworking business (HarlemBuilt).
Ray always loved sports of every kind, soccer, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, tennis, golf, etc., he mostly just used the bike as transportation. During covid, he pulled a road bike out of the garbage, gave it some TLC, and began putting more miles in on the bike. With the results of the recent election, the rise in attacks LQBTQ+ lives, particularly the trans community, Ray felt he needed to do more. Hence the inspiration for Trans America Ride.
Trans America Ride is not only a fundraiser, it is a chance to visit communities all across America to show support for LGBTQ+ lives, spark conversation, and to make some new friends. Please show your support in any way possible. Donate, join the team, sponsor, host, share on social media, etc. Anything you can do to make this ride a success and help extend equity, is greatly appreciated.
