please join us wednesday, 30 june, for a socially-distanced conversation at dallas contemporary, presented in partnership with our community partner dallas hope charities— local dallas non-profit dedicated to providing food, shelter and services that instill dignity, stability and hope for all.
featuring panelists from across the dallas metroplex, this conversation will bring attention to current challenges facing today’s lgbtqia+ youth and touch on local initiatives aiming to create effective and lasting solutions for those in need. moderated by shane allen, this open dialogue will provide space to discuss these prevalent issues and offer hope through current efforts to affect change in our community. with guest speakers including dhc’s hope center manager tamika perry, smu’s women and lgbt center’s director dr. sidney gardner, dallas police department’s lgbtq+ liaison officer megan thomas, and mental health america of greater dallas’ community outreach director madalyn worley, this conversation will be followed by a short q+a.
this socially distanced panel discussion is free to attend! spaces limited--registration required.
about the panelists:
shane allen
shane allen is a 2x emmy award winning tv producer. he has also been honored by the society of professional journalists, the texas associated press broadcasters, and the texas freedom of information foundation of texas for his hard-hitting journalism. he helped create the investigative brands at kxas-tv and nbc 5 before becoming the managing editor and senior producer of syndicated programming at tribune media. shane currently serves on the board of diffa/dallas and provides event and broadcast consulting services to companies and nonprofits nationwide.
tamika perry
tamika perry has a proven track record of success in program development, fundraising and management in nonprofit organizations. tamika became associated with dallas hope charities in 2018 as a volunteer in the meals program. she has now joined the team as the director of the hope center. she has dedicated her career of over 24 years to improving the lives of our most vulnerable populations. a program she is truly proud of included the program management of assessing over 1200 individuals for permanent mixed income housing for units throughout the city of chicago - many of whom are still housed and participating in the local chicago economy today. during her time in dallas, she has developed a network of local donors, community leaders, built a coalition of volunteers, and partnered with nonprofit organizations to serve the community. her natural passion for seeking equality and justice for underserved communities is the reason she joined dallas hope charities.
dr. sidney gardner
dr. sidney gardner serves as the director for the women and lgbt center at southern methodist university. dr. gardner comes to smu form montclair state university in montclair, nj. in her role at montclair state, she served as the director for the office of equity and diversity which was comprised of the women’s center, the center for faith and spirituality, the lgbtq center, and the multicultural center. prior to her time at montclair state, she served as the program coordinator for the glbt resource center at texas a&m university. she also served as the multicultural coordinator for lgbt and women’s services at metropolitan state university in st. paul, mn from. she developed her passion for this work as a graduate assistant and only paid staff member running the lgbt center at minnesota state university, mankato. she earned her a.a. degree from cottey college, her b.a. in english at texas woman’s university, and her m.s. degree in women’s studies from minnesota state university, mankato. she earned her doctorate in higher education administration from st. cloud state university in st. cloud, mn. dr. gardner lives in waxahachie, texas and is also the founder of the pride alliance of ellis county. the first lgbtq+ community organization in ellis county, texas.
megan thomas
megan thomas currently serves as the lgbtq+ liaison for the dallas police department. she joined the dallas police department 2018 and was previously stationed at northwest division. she was a correctional officer, kane co ill, security sergeant miami transit authority and a us navy veteran, master at arms petty officer. megan graduated form columbia college chicago with a bachelor of art in theater in 2003. megan began working with and volunteering for lgtbq+ organizations 1999 in chicago illinois.
megan's current role as the lgbtq+ liaison includes; educating police officers and community members, organizing activities to enhance and spotlight the history, diversity and strength of the lgbtq+ community, assisting with departmental needs as they pertain to lgbtq+ victims and fostering a safe and productive relationship between lgbtq+ citizens and the dallas police department.
madalyn worely
madalyn “maddie” worley is a licensed master social worker with significant experience working directly with children and families, crisis management, school based social work, and community mental health. in addition, maddie is a highly requested educator and presenter as well as a certified trainer in mental health first aid. she also works as an adjunct professor at baylor university in their social work department. maddie worley serves as the community outreach director with mental health america of greater dallas.
about dallas hope charities:
dallas hope charities is a dallas non-profit united to care for those in need. by collaborating and hosting several programs, dhc fulfills their mission of providing food, shelter, and services that instill dignity, stability, and hope for all. through their lgbtq-focused transitional living center (tlc), dhc is dedicated to better serving north texas lgbtq+ youth experiencing homelessness by providing safe shelter, medical services, life skills + more.
collective hope coalition (chc) was formed as an initiative of dallas hope charities due to the alarming statistics regarding suicide among the lgbtqia+ community. because of the minimal resources available in the dallas area to address this issue, dhc knew something had to be done to bring about positive change. the only initiative of its kind in the dallas, texas community; this coalition aims to create effective and lasting solutions for our lgbtqia+ community.
about dallas contemporary:
dallas contemporary’s mission is to present the art of our time to the public: to document new directions in art through rotating exhibitions, publications, and learning programs for visitors of all ages. as a contemporary arts institution that grapples with timely and complex issues in one of the fastest growing metroplexes in our nation, we firmly believe in the power of artists' ideas and voices to chronicle and transform society.