Frederick Edwards, Jr.

Frederick Edwards, Jr., has dedicated his life to building unity and belonging. Raised in north Minneapolis as the youngest of 10 children, he faced heartbreak early in life, losing loved ones to gun violence. He found support in community leaders and programs and turned his grief into writing poetry — something he credits for saving his life. He moved to North Dakota for college and faced and embraced the limited cultural diversity of his new surroundings, which sparked the idea for Umoja (which means unity) Writing Workshops, a student-centered program within Fargo Public Schools that is rooted in his vision to create an ecosystem of belonging for all youth. Through that work, he has spearheaded culturally relevant curriculum and invested in the leadership development of youth in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He will use his Bush Fellowship to travel to places where he can increase his knowledge of oppressive systems and how to overcome them, earn a Ph.D. in educational leadership and find the time to heal himself as fully as possible.

What has informed your approach to leading change in your community?  

My mother was a Gangster Disciple who showed me how to deal with grief. My father was an apostle who showed me how to heal through words. And being the youngest of 10 children and having a daughter and wife of my own at age 27 helped me grow into my leadership role. 

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? 

When you know better you do better. Know that every challenge you face will contribute to your growth. You’ve faced struggles, wondering if you were an accident or a miracle. You’ve been kicked off school buses, asked to leave schools, survived a tornado, and lost friends to gun violence while getting degrees. The systems trying to break you are made up of individuals, and hope is a powerful discipline. Take to heart Bayard Rustin’s words: “Let us be enraged by injustice but let us not be destroyed by it.” Be thankful for the guidance of the Griots and your resilient ancestors. 

What is your favorite quote or expression?

Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” I have yet to live in a world in which grief, racial injustice and bigotry haven’t impacted my movement and where I’m headed. Amidst all of that, I’m still, what I would consider, a pretty decent person.