SPEAKER: Lamar Thorpe
TOPIC: African American Women’s Incarceration: My Life
DATE: Thursday, January 24
TIME: 7:15 pm (Dinner option begins at 6:15 pm)
Lamar Thorpe
Lamar Thorpe was born in prison and he will tell you his story.
Lamar Thorpe is a proud United States Navy veteran and a two time graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Lamar served for a total of eight years. His service introduced him to diverse cultures as he traveled to countries such as East Timor, the Philippines, China, Japan, and South Korea. As he progressed from an “undesignated sailor” to his final rank of Legalman, 2nd class, he earned several medals, including the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for his service in the Global War on Terror following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
After Lamar’s return stateside, he extended his term of service in the United States Navy. During his second tour of duty, he re-enrolled in community college. While completing community college and still on active duty, Lamar applied and was accepted to the George Washington University (GWU), a school with a reputation for fostering social responsibility and public service.
At the George Washington University, Lamar continued to serve in the military at the Washington Navy Yard. He chose to double major in Sociology and Women’s Studies. In subsequent years, he became active in the Black Student Union, the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, and the Organization of Latin American Students, among many others. His experience showed him that these groups had no voice and he decided to do something about by engaging in campus politics.
In 2006, Lamar was elected President of the George Washington University Student Association, a community representing a diverse constituency of more than 20,000 professional, law, medical, graduate and undergraduate students from around the world. In this capacity, Lamar focused not only on the matters of the George Washington University community but also on the issues critical to the Greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. His priorities as President included addressing sustainable community development, sexual health and domestic violence.
In 2007, Lamar graduated and was selected from a large pool of highly accomplished graduating scholars as one of seven Presidential Administrative Fellows at the University. He concurrently worked towards his Master of Arts degree in Women’s Studies.
As part of his fellowship, he was appointed to be at the forefront of university development, raising over a million dollars annually in leadership annual giving gifts. In his roles, Lamar also managed the Luther Rice Society, GW’s oldest and now largest giving society; founded the GW African American Alumni Advisory Board for philanthropic priorities; and traveled the country on behalf of the University. In 2009, he earned his Master of Arts degree in Women’s Studies focusing on women’s global migration, domestic work and incarceration.
After seven years in the DC metropolitan area, Lamar ran for Maryland State Delegate in 2010 but was unsuccessful in his bid. Lamar returned education where he taught for DC public Schools and later returned to higher education administration. Currently, he is the director of development for the College of Education at San Jose State University in San Jose, CA.
6:15 pm Social Get Together
6:45 pm Dinner
7:15 pm Program
Even if you opt to attend just the meeting, please join us at 6:15 pm to talk to socialize and have fun.
Location: Crow Canyon Country Club
711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526
(925) 735-5700
Members & Invited Guests: $25
Non-members: $30 ($25 for dinner and $5 requested donation to help offset program costs)
Presentation only $5 (requested donation)
Please email Jim Donnelly that you are coming by Monday, January 21 (we need a ‘head count’ for the dinner). Thank you for your help.
RSVP: To make certain you have a dinner, please RSVP.
Mail checks, made out to Jim Donnelly, to 373 Century Circle, Danville, CA 94526
Or call him at (925) 570-9289
Lamar Thorpe
Lamar Thorpe is a proud United States Navy veteran and a two time graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Lamar served for a total of eight years. His service introduced him to diverse cultures as he traveled to countries such as East Timor, the Philippines, China, Japan, and South Korea. As he progressed from an “undesignated sailor” to his final rank of Legalman, 2nd class, he earned several medals, including the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for his service in the Global War on Terror following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
After Lamar’s return stateside, he extended his term of service in the United States Navy. During his second tour of duty, he re-enrolled in community college. While completing community college and still on active duty, Lamar applied and was accepted to the George Washington University (GWU), a school with a reputation for fostering social responsibility and public service.
At the George Washington University, Lamar continued to serve in the military at the Washington Navy Yard. He chose to double major in Sociology and Women’s Studies. In subsequent years, he became active in the Black Student Union, the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, and the Organization of Latin American Students, among many others. His experience showed him that these groups had no voice and he decided to do something about by engaging in campus politics.
In 2006, Lamar was elected President of the George Washington University Student Association, a community representing a diverse constituency of more than 20,000 professional, law, medical, graduate and undergraduate students from around the world. In this capacity, Lamar focused not only on the matters of the George Washington University community but also on the issues critical to the Greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. His priorities as President included addressing sustainable community development, sexual health and domestic violence.
In 2007, Lamar graduated and was selected from a large pool of highly accomplished graduating scholars as one of seven Presidential Administrative Fellows at the University. He concurrently worked towards his Master of Arts degree in Women’s Studies.
As part of his fellowship, he was appointed to be at the forefront of university development, raising over a million dollars annually in leadership annual giving gifts. In his roles, Lamar also managed the Luther Rice Society, GW’s oldest and now largest giving society; founded the GW African American Alumni Advisory Board for philanthropic priorities; and traveled the country on behalf of the University. In 2009, he earned his Master of Arts degree in Women’s Studies focusing on women’s global migration, domestic work and incarceration.
After seven years in the DC metropolitan area, Lamar ran for Maryland State Delegate in 2010 but was unsuccessful in his bid. Lamar returned education where he taught for DC public Schools and later returned to higher education administration. Currently, he is the director of development for the College of Education at San Jose State University in San Jose, CA.
6:15 pm Social Get Together
6:45 pm Dinner
7:15 pm Program
Even if you opt to attend just the meeting, please join us at 6:15 pm to talk to socialize and have fun.
Location: Crow Canyon Country Club
711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526
(925) 735-5700
Members & Invited Guests: $25
Non-members: $30 ($25 for dinner and $5 requested donation to help offset program costs)
Presentation only $5 (requested donation)
Please email Jim Donnelly that you are coming by Monday, January 21 (we need a ‘head count’ for the dinner). Thank you for your help.
RSVP: To make certain you have a dinner, please RSVP.
Mail checks, made out to Jim Donnelly, to 373 Century Circle, Danville, CA 94526
Or call him at (925) 570-9289