Frederick Riley

Originally from Saginaw, Michigan — once voted one of the most miserable places to live in the U.S. — Frederick Riley’s early childhood memories include food insecurity, evictions, poverty and more. Yet there were always people at home, school, church and in the neighborhood who showed him strength and love. Riley’s life was stitched together by those people and, for him, is a testament to the power of community, relationships and mutual caring. He spent much of his career working to help lift 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, supports and celebrates the people who are building trust within their communities, weaving a strong and inclusive social fabric.