Diversity Week

Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” What happens when a Christian community is known more for being cultural warriors than peacemakers? Should a Christian community be a reconciling community? In this talk, we’ll explore what is a reconciling community and what we could do to live into this hope-filled vision.  

David M. Bailey is a public theologian, culturemaker, and catalyst focused on cultivating reconciling communities. David is the Founder and CEO of Arrabon, a spiritual formation ministry that equips the American Church to actively and creatively pursue racial healing in their communities. He is the co-author of the study series, A People, A Place, and A Just Society. David is an ordained minister rooted at East End Covenant Fellowship, serving on the preaching team.  

How does sound produced by our musical instruments impact how we move? How can we use auditory feedback and feedforward processes to improve our movement? Can rhythm be applied therapeutically to aid motor skills for individuals who may struggle with aspects of movement? This interactive lecture with Dr. Nicole Richard Williams will explore fascinating concepts about the interaction between auditory cues and motor planning and control. It will also reveal how auditory cueing – and thus music therapy – can benefit autistic individuals and others who may struggle with movement.

Dive deep into the heart of Nashville's music scene with "Making Noise," a captivating long-form podcast collaboration between WPLN/WNXP that chronicles the incredible journey of Lovenoise, a locally founded and Black-owned concert promotion company that has reshaped the city's live music landscape. For two decades, Lovenoise has been at the forefront of championing hip-hop, soul, and R&B in a city traditionally known for its country roots.

Are only certain people called to the work of reconciliation? Is it something we can be involved in no matter our job or vocation? Sharing his own vocational journey of finding his way into the work of reconciliation, David M. Bailey will help us to explore how our lives can be a part of God’s work of reconciliation in the world.

It is not a secret that our American culture is increasingly polarized. As our news, media, and even local communities become more of an echo chamber for our own beliefs, biases, and ways of engaging people different than ourselves we are losing basic skills needed to interact with and build relationships with people across meaningful difference. Unlikely Friends helps Belmont students from different backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs to develop skills that enable them to live and thrive in our increasingly diverse world. These skills necessarily include inhabiting a posture of curiosity and humility, which is essential to character formation. 

The Unlikely Friends Roadshow is a quick introduction to these skills and understanding why building relationships across difference matters. 

This event will be limited to 40 participants.

Nicole Richard Williams (Music Therapy faculty member) will facilitate a workshop for faculty to maximize the learning outcomes for autistic students in their courses.

As part of the University's Diversity Week, this special event will celebrate the rich history of the Lee-Buckner School, one of the historic Rosenwald Schools that provided education and opportunity to African American students in the early 20th century. The event will focus on the lasting impact of the students who attended Lee-Buckner, sharing their stories of resilience, perseverance, and success. Additionally, it will highlight the ongoing efforts of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County in preserving this vital piece of educational history. Join us for an inspiring evening of reflection, celebration and legacy-building as we honor the contributions of these students and their enduring impact on education and community.

As we operate on a daily basis, it is easy to make snap judgements, especially when we are fluent and comfortable in our current cultural environment. Come out to this hands-on workshop to learn skills to operate more effectively in different cultural situations by building self-awareness, objectivity and avoiding misunderstandings.

Join us on the Freedom Plaza to learn more about organizations and businesses in our community! We will have free Frothy Monkey coffee!

Join us as we hear from Curtis Chang, founder of Redeeming Babel and author of The Anxiety Opportunity, as he addresses three underlying problems driving the chaos and confusion of our world: a mistaken spirituality of anxiety; a missing theology of organizations; and a misshapen approach to politics. He teaches at American University's School of International Service and is a consulting professor at Duke Divinity School and is a Senior Fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. Curtis hosts the Good Faith podcast and helped create The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics to offer a hopeful alternative to the polarization currently besetting our nation. [Co-sponsored by Be Well BU]

The University Staff Advisory Council (USAC) in co-sponsorship with Real Talk Leader, Gary Hunter, invites all Belmont staff and faculty to this event to connect and challenge one another through a game centering on diversity discussions. Come celebrate diversity of all kinds by bringing your unique perspective, your desire to belong, and your heart to help others belong within our Belmont community and God's larger beloved community.

Join JSA for a service to celebrate the first day of the holiday Rosh Hashanah and kick off the start of the new Jewish year, led by our very own Rabbi Schiftan. There is Spiritual Wellcore offered! All students are welcome to attend regardless of religious background.

Join us on October 3rd for a vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! Enjoy a day filled with delicious offerings from diverse food truck vendors, live music, and captivating performances that showcase the rich cultural traditions. This year's theme, 'Unidos Somos Más Fuertes, United We Are Stronger,' reminds us of the power of unity and community. Come celebrate, connect, and embrace the beauty of our shared heritage!

Guggenheim fellow Tamara Reynolds will talk about her documentary photography project, "The Visitation," the story of the Melungeons - in which she hopes to inspire the viewer to reflect on the amalgamation of people that make up our country. Learn more about Tamara's photography practice here!

Join us for an engaging panel discussion focusing on the importance of respect and collaboration in the workplace across different generations. This event will explore the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of colleagues from various age groups within our university community. Our panelists will share insights on how generational diversity strengthens teams, fosters innovation and enhances inclusivity. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or staff, this event offers a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of multigenerational dynamics and build a more inclusive work environment.

Asian American InterVarsity will host a Multilingual Worship night as the Belmont Ministry Center. We will worship together being led in a few different Asian languages, and have time for fellowship. It will be a great way to learn about how others praise in different cultures, and celebrate one another!

This weekly meeting of Women in Film will discuss DEI in film and TV throughout history. We'll chat all about the members of marginalized communities who have made the film industry what it is and those who continue to make history today.

What does it mean to bring your whole self to work, feel valued and have a voice? Join us to learn from organizations who have made a commitment to practicing equity and inclusion and how today's students can identify companies and demonstrate the awareness and skills needed to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Conversation will also include when/if to disclose documented disability in the job search. Cosponsored by College of Education and The HUB.

When we hear the acronym DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion), we might think of race, gender, the LGBTQIA+ community, religion, and more- all of which are incredibly important and necessary to discuss, especially in the workplace. However, one group that often gets left out of the conversation is disabled people. At this event, we discuss what inclusion of the disabled community looks like within this movement and how we can better include, understand, and support disabled people, particularly in the professional world.

Inspired by the Diversity Week 2024 theme, Life Together: Building a Community for All, voting and civic engagement is central to life together in community. In this session we will discuss historically underrepresented populations at the polls, current voting trends and strategies to ensure that all voices are heard to truly have a community for ALL.

Faculty who have ADHD or similar neurodiverse perspectives will join for an informal lunch conversation. The time together will include ideas for adapting your life and work environments to fit your strengths and needs. Those who participate will determine whether to explore a follow up of some kind (for example, a reading group around the topic). The Teaching Center will simply provide an informal and confidential space to share ideas, resources, challenges, realities and anything else that bubbles up in the conversation.

More information coming soon!