We are a Learning and Growing Community
One of the chief aims of the Kenan Scholars program is to foster an inclusive and open space where students can critically reflect and engage in collective action that addresses complex societal issues. Arguably, at this critical juncture in our country’s history, there are no more pressing issues than COVID-19 and racism. As you know, the mission of the Kenan Scholars program is to develop future business leaders committed to changing the world for the better. This entails empowering them to use their business skills and knowledge to address the world’s problems. It is in that spirit (and in the spirit of the Kenan Institute’s commitment to addressing systemic racism in our operations and programming as well as in Kenan-Flagler’s recent decision to add a sixth core value—Inclusion) that we have determined that this year’s programmatic theme is structural racism in business and the economy.
This means that in this year’s workshops, panel discussions, trainings, research, symposium and other programming, we will examine the complex ways that both racial prejudice and institutional racism operate in today’s marketplace and economy.
To that end, I am pleased to share the exciting news that the business school at NCCU has agreed to partner with Kenan Scholars in planning and hosting our annual spring symposium. A committee comprised of six undergraduate students from NCCU and six Kenan Scholars, including members of our Student Leadership Council, will plan, organize and host this historic conference. Kenan Scholars and NCCU students will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships across several dimensions of difference, learn from one another and develop life-long friendships and networks, all while making meaningful progress in the fight against racism. Exciting times indeed!
If you have ideas for topics or speakers or would like to be involved in any of the planning, please reach out to me at Kim_Allen@kenan-flagler.unc.edu. We’d love to hear from you!