Fed Listens events provide an opportunity for the Federal Reserve to hear from community stakeholders about the way the work of the Fed impacts them.

In 2019 and 2020, the Federal Reserve undertook a comprehensive, multiyear review of its monetary policy strategies, tools and communication practices. An important pillar of that review was Fed Listens, a series of events held around the country that engaged a wide range of organizations—employee groups and union members, small business owners, residents of low- and moderate-income communities, workforce development organizations and community colleges, retirees, and others—to hear about how monetary policy affects peoples’ daily lives and livelihoods.

Given the valuable insights that were gained from these conversations, the Federal Reserve decided to continue its Fed Listens initiative. Since 2021, these sessions have focused on listening to diverse perspectives on how communities were impacted by and are recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.