Reimagine FREC

We realize that FREC needs to take stock of how we are relevant in today’s world. Much has changed in the world since we started sixteen years ago. In January 2023 FREC began an intensive effort called the FREC Reimagined Project to ensure that FREC’s mission, vision, values and programs continue to be inclusive, relevant and effective. We invite you to help us look at our current work with fresh eyes and share your ideas to envision our future moving forward. We also wish to be sensitive to your learning needs as we re-think our programs.

Provide Your Feedback

Initial results were shared at the annual Overcoming Racism conference in November 2023. There was a table outside of the main auditorium where you could meet the FREC Reimagined Project team leaders, ask questions and offer your thoughts. Throughout the conference participants were invited to join in a conversation about the results of the survey and together Reimagine FREC’s future.

Our Updates

In January 2023, FREC held an online listening session and dialogue about a difficult situation at the 2022 conference, sharing the steps that had been taken and giving our community an opportunity to share thoughts and feelings about what they experienced.

This episode in our history not only opened our eyes to changes we had to make, but created a new outlook on the future of FREC.

The all-volunteer Core Leadership Team (CLT-comprised of folks representing FREC programs and basic functions) wrestled with real challenges of conflict avoidance, accountability, and white supremacy culture. As part of that process, CLT updated the FREC Guidelines for Dialogue below. These now focus attention on whose voices are being centered, an acknowledgement that discomfort, disagreement and vulnerability are part of addressing racism, and several ways we can hold each other accountable within our unique, organic organizational structure.

With awareness of white supremacy culture, we are also changing how we operate and make decisions including taking more risks to be candid, enabling meetings to experiment with what emerges instead of a controlled agenda, and ongoing evaluation of how well we follow the guidelines at the conclusion of our meetings. We have created more transparent descriptions of our roles and responsibilities to enable us to be clearer about our expectations and needs as a volunteer run collaborative.

Reimagine FREC Project Leads

Eryn Killough

Eryn Killough, M.Ed. works with Diversity2 as a managing partner and principal consultant. Her experience and publications address social, economic, and political pathologies that lead to health and education disparities for marginalized populations. She has made several presentations at the Overcoming Racism conferences over the years and is excited about her new role in FREC’s work.

Leah Hicks

Leah Hicks is a long-time volunteer with FREC, serving both as an emcee and a facilitator in our Racial Equity Leadership Institute (RELI) workshop series and is excited to be co-leading the collaborative FREC Reimagined team. She has worked at Hennepin County Human Services for over 20 years in various roles. Leah strongly believes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion starts from within each person by having tough conversations, listening to and learning from others’ lived experiences. Leah received her BA in Human services, Training in Adult Development from Metro State University. Outside of work she is an avid traveler and spends time with her grandkids and animals.