COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
The Village
FREDA G. SAMPSON
Freda G. Sampson, MFA, CDP
(Pronouns – she, her, hers)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategist • Author • Entrepreneur • Influencer
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Freda G. Sampson is an advocate for equity, justice and radical inclusion. She is entrepreneur, creative, and author. Her passion stems from growing up and observing her father, Rev. Dr. Frederick G. Sampson, II, a civil rights leader and pastor fight for equality for all people. Witnessing that love in action has formed the direction of her personal and professional journey. A diversity and inclusion professional, Freda provides consulting, training and facilitation services to corporations, governmental agencies and organizations throughout Michigan and Canada on diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency.
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Diversity & Inclusion Professional
Currently, Freda consults and facilitates with Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion (MRDI) for corporations, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations throughout the region on diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competency. She was formerly the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Prior to that, Freda worked for MRDI where she managed multiple community initiatives that focusing on racial equity.
Entrepreneur
Freda is an entrepreneur having owned and operated several coffeehouses in midtown Detroit. Currently, she owns three businesses:
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Pause Detroit, LLC – A Weekend Café and Intimate Facility Space specializing in food, art, and music (Projected Opening Spring 2021)
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Vision Publishing, LLC - A company focusing on multimedia projects including books, audio and video projects, and apparel.
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Freda G. Sampson, LLC – A consulting company on diversity, equity and inclusion
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Non-Profit / Faith
Freda is the president of the Frederick G. Sampson Foundation a 501c3. The Foundation’s mission focuses on theological education, social justice and community engagement.
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Volunteer for Gift of Life Michigan Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program.
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Boards currently serving:
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Board Chair – Frederick G Sampson Foundation
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Board Member – Detroit Public Television
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Board member – Fair Housing Center for Metro Detroit
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Past Immediate Board Vice Chair – Board of Ethics, City of Detroit
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Board member – Ecumenical Theological Seminary
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Member Emeritus – Community Advisory Panel, Detroit Public Television
Lifelong Learner
Freda’s educational background includes a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Tennessee State University, and an Associate of Arts Degree from Brooks School of Design in Long Beach, California.
Additionally, she has completed leadership programs including New Detroit’s Multicultural Leadership Program, Harvard University School of Divinity Leadership Program and Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Detroit, Class XXXIII.
Certification
Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) – Qualified Administrator 2016
Certified Diversity Professional – CDP 2020
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MY PASSION PROJECT
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My passion project is about elevating, articulating, and incorporating the power and relevance of the Black Church into the American narrative.
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The collective history of this institution is deeply embedded into the story of African Americans, and to reveal the many hidden figures of spiritual and intellectual genius that informed the movements of justice in this country from 1619 to today.
Meet the Team
ReAnne Young-Upchurch
Consulting
Reanne has worked with a variety of organizations as a consultant for 22 years. She is also a licensed psychotherapist and specializes in creating emotionally safe environments for people to gain awareness about themselves and learn new life skills.
Tiffany N. Alexander
Graphic Design
Tiffany is a freelance graphic designer and owner of Visual Voice Design, LLC. She possesses a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Communications from the College for Creative Studies. Tiffany engages her visual voice through a variety of platforms.
Khary Frazier
Media, Podcasts, Marketing
Khary Frazier’s intersecting background in Detroit is vast: Frazier’s depth of understanding of Detroit culture has been most impacted by his experience for over two decades performing hip-hop music, hosting cultural celebrations (Kwanzaa’s since 2007 Juneteenth’s since 2008), partnerships with Alkebulan Village, Focus HOPE, National Association of Black Lawyers, Community Movement Builders, and Broadside Press.