The Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC) seeks ways to connect with and support organizations in Greater Minnesota working on racial justice and equity in their communities.  FREC follows the MN State Demographic Center definition for Greater Minnesota as “the area outside the seven counties of the Twin Cities region”.  Those counties within the Twin Cities metro region include  Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington.  All counties outside of those seven fall within the definition of Greater Minnesota.  Goals for FREC’s Greater Minnesota initiative are as follows:

  1. Help FREC learn about the issues and challenges of racial justice in different parts of the state.
  2. Help FREC build new relationships around the state.
  3. Support collaborative anti-racism/racial justice work around the state, including financial support
  4. Strengthen Minnesota’s anti-racism infrastructure.

To further these goals, FREC has several online programs available in Greater Minnesota.

FREC’s online Shared Learning Community circle is a way to continue racial justice learning through presentations & sharing ideas with others who are interested in learning together to gain new perspectives, exchange bold ideas and build knowledge.  Join us every second Tuesday of the month from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Free and open to all via the link found on the web site at https://overcomingracism.org/community-learning/

FREC’s  Racial Equity Leadership Institute (RELI) is offering its series again in 2024. Starting Jan. 11, this 6-part online series is designed to empower participants to learn about racism and oppression in the United States, to explore social conditioning in themselves, their organizations and communities, and to learn skills for antiracist action.

While the series is entitled Driving Racial Equity for Education, this program also provides a good, basic introduction to anyone who is interested in learning about systemic racism. It uses curriculum from the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as resources for learning about Native American history in Minnesota. Participants will have opportunities to engage with interactive content from knowledgeable speakers and in small-group conversations.

2024 Overcoming Racism Conference – November 8 & 9 (In person and streaming) Participate in person at Metropolitan State University or become one of the growing number of Greater MN communities and organizations streaming the morning keynote presentations and organizing their own afternoon workshops.  The keynote presentations are made available for free to local collaborations hosting a satellite conference that is open to the community.  There is a group fee cost for organizations wishing to keep the programing in house.  For more information contact FREC at info@overcomingracism.org.

FREC’s mini-grant program has been suspended until additional funds are obtained.

2019 Greater MN Grants Summary Read about great work folks did around the state in 2019 to overcome racism in their communities, including satellite Overcoming Racism conferences.

2018 Greater MN Grantee Projects.  Learn more about the powerful work folks are doing around the state to overcome racism in their communities.