Our Church and Society’s Speakers’ Series continues with Dr. Maria Dixon Hall, Chief Diversity Officer of Southern Methodist University. In her presentation, “From Babel to Pentecost: Moving Beyond DEI,” Dr. Dixon examines how the contentious debates surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) stem from a flawed framework developed over the past 40 years. Drawing on the biblical stories of Babel and Pentecost, she explores how Cultural Intelligence can help us transcend division and work together authentically in a diverse world.
Dr. Maria Dixon Hall is an Associate Professor of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and serves as the Director of Mustang Consulting and an Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor. She is also the Senior Advisor to the Provost at SMU. Her research focuses on organizational strategy, power, identity, and culture within corporate, nonprofit, and religious organizations. Her work has been published in leading academic journals, including Management Communication Quarterly, Southern Journal of Communication, Liturgy, and the Journal of Communication and Religion. As a recognized leader in organizational consulting, Dr. Dixon founded mustangconsulting, an SMU-based communication firm where top students provide strategic consulting for clients such as Southwest Airlines, Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Ugandan American Partnership Organization, and the United Methodist Church. Dr. Dixon has received multiple teaching and service awards, including the Golden Mustang for Outstanding Teaching and Research, the Willis M. Tate Award for Service to Students, and SMU’s highest honor, the “M” Award for exceptional service to the university. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Th.M. and M.Div. in Theology from Emory University, and a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Alabama.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 25 at 7pm
WHERE: First United Methodist Church of Denton, 201 S Locust St., Denton, TX 76201
in the Sanctuary, located on the 2nd floor on the corner of Locust & Mulberry.
ENTRY: Please enter through the doors at the intersection of Mulberry and Austin Streets (wheelchair accessible)
PARKING: FUMC Denton offers parking behind the church, accessible from Mulberry Street, and in the lot on Sycamore Street. Accessible parking spaces are available on Mulberry Street.
This free event is open to both the FUMC Denton congregation and the wider community. We look forward to seeing you there!