Frederick Riley

Frederick J. Riley’s hometown was once voted one of the most miserable places to live in the U.S. His childhood memories include food insecurity, evictions, and poverty. Yet there were always people at home, school, church and in the neighborhood who showed him strength and love. His life was woven together by those people and, for him, is a testament to the power of community. He spent much of his career lifting up young adults through community programs at YMCAs around the country. Now he leads the Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project, which connects and supports the people building trust within their communities and weaving a strong, inclusive social fabric.