About Us

    Our American Roots began in 2023 as a series of lectures. Originally called Roots of America, it
was based on the following premise:
 

    The “us vs. them” mentality is pervasive in many areas. And yet, as members of the human
race, we are all more alike than we are different. Even so, there are differences among us –
differences in culture, language, beliefs, and values. If we can understand, respect, and
appreciate these differences, we can bridge the gap between “us and them.”
 

    The name was changed to Our American Roots in 2024 and offered another four lectures. In
2025, the series branched out to include various forms of performing arts, but its purpose
remained the same: to build bridges, expand horizons, and celebrate our diverse history as a
country.
 

    In 2026 the Our American Roots program also looked forward to try to understand the implications of potentially divisive new developments on the horizon, such as artificial intelligence.  That program year concludes with an exploration of what the next 250 years of the United States might look like.