Long before he earned degrees or founded an organization, Frederick “Freddy” Shegog was digging through dumpsters, begging for spare change, and surviving on the streets.
Today, he stood before community leaders and changemakers at an event, “Transforming Lives & Strengthening Communities,” at Blackhawk Technical College to share his journey and challenge others to rethink what it means to support those in need and to explore how collective action can foster meaningful, lasting impact.
“Transforming lives and strengthening communities is at the core of what we aspire to do at the college,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk. “Freddy’s story is truly tremendous. Despite a life filled with obstacles, he found a way to overcome.”
Taking the stage, Shegog shared his personal journey—one that began with addiction, homelessness, and desperation and evolved into purpose, healing, and advocacy.
“I’ve been the person digging in the trash for food,” he told the audience. “People ask how I went from that to who I am today—educated, sober, and a responsible family man. Here’s your answer: Support.”
Shegog’s story is rooted in the complex realities of his upbringing. His parents came from very different backgrounds. His father was one of 15 children raised in Biloxi, Mississippi, where traditional gender roles dominated. His mother grew up in an all-white neighborhood with no familiarity with the domestic expectations placed upon her by her in-laws. Their differences, coupled with addiction, led to separation and lasting trauma.
For Shegog, the ripple effects of his parents’ struggles were deeply personal.
“We ask kids to be productive,” he said, “But the people they look up to aren’t producing. We celebrate alcohol and turning 21. We don’t celebrate sobriety. It’s backward. We’re celebrating the wrong things.”
After his parents divorced, Shegog’s mother entered rehab and got sober—now 30 years clean. Although it was a turning point, it also led to new challenges. Their community didn’t understand or support sobriety. He and his mother were ostracized, and Freddy was bullied and dismissed. There weren’t mental health services available to support him.
“Not crying and keeping my feelings inside had me eating out of a dumpster,” he said. “We don’t need grit. Why do I have to prove pain to be successful? Trauma does stuff to you.”
For 14 years, from ages 18 to 32, Shegog lived in the shadows of addiction. He didn’t heal. He survived. Until one day, while panhandling, a woman spat on him and called him a racial slur. It was horrific, but it was also a wake-up call.
Freddy entered rehab and began to heal. He also embraced the transformative power of education.
“I believed that education could change my life,” he said.
And it did.
Freddy earned an associate’s degree in communication arts, followed by a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. Encouraged by his wife, he pursued a master’s degree in public administration. Now, he's considering a doctoral degree in Sociology so he can influence the policies that shape access to mental health resources, addiction recovery, and homelessness services.
Freddy is also the founder of The Message LLC, an organization focused on addressing addiction, mental health, and homelessness through education and advocacy.
He ended his remarks with a pointed question:
“What is your legacy?”
For Freddy, that legacy is clear—turning personal struggle into a platform for change and encouraging others to do the same.
Freddy Shegog will be the keynote speaker on Wednesday, April 23, at Blackhawk’s annual Dream Chasers event, which is designed for high school students.