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Executive Director at Weave: the Social Fabric Project from Washington, D.C.

I talk about: Bridging Divides, Community Building, Economic Mobility, Education, Equity & Inclusion, Family, Personal Development, Youth

Frederick Riley grew up in a tough neighborhood of Saginaw, Michigan where he didn’t have a lot, but he did have a community. His mother taught him that when times were tough, you shared what you had, offered emotional support, and showered love abundantly on everyone.

That’s what he gave and received from his community. His pastor convinced him he could be grow up and be somebody. His high school English teacher regularly sent notes of encouragement with fifty dollars tucked inside while he was in college. She knew it was not an expected or easy rite of passage for someone like him. This network of people helped him weave a life path.

Now Riley leads the Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project, which supports people in communities everywhere who are weaving trust, connection, and hope. To pay forward the love of weavers in his life, Riley spent 16 years at various levels of the YMCA organization around the country. He helped build and fund programs that gave youth a sense of value and belonging while helping them prepare for life beyond high school.

Riley has nurtured community wherever he has lived – Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, and now Washington, DC – yet he remains a proud son of Saginaw, Michigan. Among his many roles in professional and civic groups, he covets most the time he spends with his own family as a son, brother, uncle, and godfather, and with all the people who became family because of their care.

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Hello Frederick, it’s John Stanley from SW Wisconsin. Having now joined the network, spoken to Kate in MN, Megan in NE and had John Noltner for dinner a week ago here in our home, I wonder if I could find time on your calendar. Why? It might be fun to talk about the Y since we both have that history and I’m curious about how Weavers intersect with what wants to happen in my part of the rural heartland. I’m now in my encore season, only doing what I’m best at and with those I love. I’ve learned through 100+ interviews in five counties that there is a tremendous amount of latent energy to help. I want to help awaken this energy and sense Weavers platform might be helpful. Let me know of your interest and availability. I’ll accommodate. John Stanley, john@generositygameplan.com. 414 429 1353

John Stanley
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