On Wednesday, April 4, at 6:30 pm in the Commons at 1088 Tucker Road, North Dartmouth, Friends Academy will hold their annual Speaker Series, hosting Kip Bordelon whose presentation is entitled “Are There Really Two Americas?” It is free and open to the public.
This “real-talk” presentation directly addresses how and why we often see national matters differently based on race. It is a very thought-provoking and eye-opening presentation that is certain to leave the audience with a new perspective and better understanding of the African-American experience. For many, being Black and being American are at times conflicting realities. Perspectives about the United States and prevailing national issues can be vastly different depending on one’s race.
“Are There Really Two Americas?” takes a critical look at events that have separated us. Until we better understand the source of our differences, this social variance will persist, making acceptance and ultimately advancement much more difficult. The presentation explores these social realities and challenges our society’s behavior on these matters.
For more than a decade, Bordelon has worked at the United States General Services Administration where he has awarded and managed contracts worth millions of dollars and written, implemented and enforced federal acquisition policy. Bordelon’s interest in policy affairs began at an early age. Although he is a life-long Chicagoan, he attended Lawrence Academy, a New England independent/boarding school, where he discovered his passion for American history, the law, and the importance of diversity.
Bordelon graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He then earned a master’s degree in Public Policy from the same university, where he also won the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Award for leadership. While matriculating at UIC, he founded the student group Diversity in Demand. In 2012, Bordelon established The ASSI Group, now The Picardy Group, where he has provided recruiting and consulting services to federal agencies, New England independent schools, Chicago Public Schools, and local private schools and has been a guest participant on panels at conferences and similar events.
In response to community requests, the doors at Friends Academy will open at 5:45 pm to provide tours of the school. For directions to Friends Academy and more information, go to www.friendsacademy1810.org.