Fred Edwards, a distinguished Creative Director and accomplished teaching artist hailing from the Great Plains, holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, demonstrating extensive expertise and visionary leadership. As a driving force behind groundbreaking initiatives like Umoja and Fred’s Dissonance, Fred has spearheaded transformative programs fostering narrative justice and community empowerment.

Umoja, a 16-week leadership endeavor in the F-M area, stands as a testament to Fred’s commitment, redirecting youth towards meaningful careers while addressing societal gaps through writing, leadership, and cultural awareness. Fred’s Dissonance, a multi-generational initiative, serves as a benchmark for positive community development, championing narrative justice and cultural empowerment, reshaping educational paradigms with culturally relevant curricula.

Fred's compelling talks and impactful spoken word performances, drawn from a rich personal journey, resonate across diverse audiences, from collegiate forums to middle schools, showcasing his ability to inspire and catalyze change. Fred embodies resilience, emerging as the unlikely tenth child following his mother's tubal ligation. His life story underscores his unwavering commitment to fostering positive change and narrative justice through community empowerment and creativity.