Overcoming Racism

This level of solidarity is inspirational and reminiscent of previous movements…Let’s retain, maintain, & sustain these unity efforts going forward on behalf of all equity efforts.

Just to clarify and eliminate any potential confusion: Human beings are depicted in the top picture and garbage is in the bottom picture.

Research from our recent conference highlighted that some of our best strategies for overcoming racism are actually getting to know our neighbors, breaking bread with people who are different than us, and having courageous conversations with others.

Other strategies include:
-Challenge the false narratives we hear about others & fact check
-Listen to their stories and ideas -Break isolations (and algorithms)
-Be willing to learn & unlearn along the way.


ReImagine relationships by
considering &

“Cultivate relationships through dialogue and radical invitations”

Sending gratitude to everyone who helped make the “Weaving a Wider Community: Seeing and Countering Racism in our own Backyard” conference successful!

On October 10th, we had people at 14 satellite sites in urban and rural MN & 1 in Manitoba, Canada come together to listen, learn and discuss how to address racism & racial inequity. So thankful for our moderator, facilitators and keynote speakers. What were your key takeaways?

Mrs. Eryn Gee Killough M.Ed. moderated will style and grace as we navigated keynote content. She grounded us with our FREC agreements, land acknowledgment and her own personal and professional stories.

Dr. Grey Eagle taught us that geography does not divide us; yet the false narratives we’ve been told about one another can divide us! Practice accountability through reflection, relationships and truth telling -that includes fact checking! Join ACT’s next dialogue circle!

Dr. Ferguson shared some compellling data that simply remined us the importance of getting to know our neighbors. He challenged us to broaden our relationships and “radically invite” people who are a different race and ethnicity than ourselves.

One final thank you to our conference sponsors: Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, West Central Initiative Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, MN Conference UCC, MN NOW Foundation, The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, Synod of Lakes Prairies and Culture Brokers.

We are also thankful to our fiscal host Cherokee Park United Church.

We encourage everyone to get actively involved in creating more inclusive communities and countering racism in your local area. Sign up for more information! https://overcomingracism.org/signup/

Just 12 days! Register now! Join us at the Twin Cities gathering https://overcomingracism.org/programs/2025-overcoming-racism-conference/ or
find your local community gathering here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Uqp0NI9XJCDYwwjT2UuDqet2lUzeZRJs

We're just one month = 4 weeks away from the Weaving a Wider Community conference!

Register Today!! Space is Limited!

Registration is OPEN for the Twin Cities location of the FREC Greater Minnesota Partnership Racial Equity Conference "Weaving a Wider Community: Seeing and Countering Racism" in Our Own Backyard happening Friday October 10th! https://overcomingracism.org/programs/2025-overcoming-racism-conference/

Registration is OPEN for the Twin Cities location of the FREC Greater Minnesota Partnership Racial Equity Conference "Weaving a Wider Community: Seeing and Countering Racism" in Our Own Backyard happening Friday October 10th! https://overcomingracism.org/programs/2025-overcoming-racism-conference/

Overcoming Racism: Reflecting on collective action by Carrie Zelin Johnson M.Ed.; FREC Volunteer

FREC is most known for its “Overcoming Racism” conferences—and its website logically bears the same name.

Yet, what does it mean to overcome racism? What does it even mean to overcome?

The Greek word nikaō is translated as "overcome", which means to conquer, prevail, vanquish, subdue or gain victory. The word
“overcome" is used primarily in the context of battles against adversaries. It often signifies that victory will be achieved through perseverance, collective efforts and intentional strategy. After all that is how most battles are won. They most certainly are not won by ignoring the problem, minimizing it, or denying its existence.

The iconic song “We Shall Overcome" is a powerful expression of hope and determination in the face of adversity; while in the midst of the battles. The adversity is racism and the adversaries are the whom perpetrate racism. And the battles include fighting individuals, groups and the systemic racism realities of injustice, discrimination, and oppression.

Racism is not just a pernicious social problem perpetrated by individuals; it’s more than that.
It’s baked into our systems, our policies, our cognitive biases, our behaviors— it is the hate filled root cause problem driving other disparities and inequities. It kills, destroys and dehumanizes people when we ought to be speaking life, building one another up and seeing each other’s humanity in all its gloriously diverse forms. It prevents people from accessing water, food, housing, jobs, economic opportunities, generational wealth, healthcare, education, justice and so much more. Overcoming Racism is about collective action. It means everyone is invited to the frontlines, to actively join the battle to conquer and vanquish racism and to manifest victory by ensuring all people are humanized and given a chance at a fair and just life.

Join us today:
https://overcomingracism.org/signup/

Register for the next convening:
https://overcomingracism.org/programs/2025-overcoming-racism-conference/

2025 Overcoming Racism Conference - Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC) FREC Greater Minnesota Partnership Racial Equity Conference Weaving a Wider Community: Seeing and Countering Racism in Our Own Backyard Join us for the only Twin Cities – based community gathering to experience this Greater Minnesota focused virtual event Happening Friday October 10, 8:30 am – 4...

Save the date! Let us know if you're interested: https://forms.gle/uYq7wBuLKYMBdNSP8