뉴스노믹스 김지혜 기자 |

On 23 August 2025, the Cultural Talk for Diversity series hosted its 20th session under the theme “Religion” This monthly event, held every fourth Saturday on Zoom, brings together volunteer speakers and participants from around the world to share perspectives on diversity and inclusion.

This session featured Dionne Holder, who offered a moving account of her evolving relationship with faith across different stages of her life and in various cultural contexts, including Barbados, China, and San Francisco.

Faith Beyond Religion

Dionne began by reflecting on her early years in Barbados, where the Christian church was central to her upbringing and provided her with community and belonging. Her worldview shifted when she moved to Beijing to attend Peking University—often called the “Harvard of China.” While she stopped attending church regularly during this time, her personal connection to God deepened. She discovered that faith could exist outside the structures of organized religion, emphasizing the power of direct and personal prayer.

Trials, Loss, and Renewal

Her journey was not without its challenges. Dionne shared openly about going through difficult times that tested her beliefs and left her feeling lost and withdrawn. Yet, she chose to reconnect with her faith, describing it as the “net that catches you when you hit rock bottom,” offering hope and support during life’s hardest moments.

This renewed perspective opened new chapters in her life. She stepped into an executive leadership role, made transformative personal changes—including ending a 20-year relationship—and navigated relocations back to Barbados and later to San Francisco during the pandemic.

Dionne wrapped up her story by sharing how life can open new doors in unexpected ways. She reminded the audience that moments of joy and purpose often appear when we least expect them, and that our faith and sense of belonging continue to grow as life changes.

The conversation expanded with reflections from participants across diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Attendees shared their own experiences of faith while living abroad, discussing how different societies, such as Indonesia, China, and Korea approach religion and spirituality. Topics ranged from finding belonging in foreign church communities to the professional importance of respecting personal faith in multicultural workplaces.

This session highlighted the sensitive yet essential role faith plays in shaping personal identity and community bonds. By sharing lived experiences, Dionne and the participants reminded everyone that while religion can divide, faith has the power to unite through empathy, resilience, and respect for difference.

Cultural Talk For Diversity is a Platform for Understanding and Inclusion

It aims not to deepen divides but to build a platform where diverse perspectives can be heard with respect and openness—fostering a culture of inclusion.

For those interested in joining future Cultural Talk for Diversity sessions or contributing as speakers, please visit:

Cultural Talk Group:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14364384/

Participant Registration for next month:

https://tinyurl.com/cultural-talk

For those interested in joining future Cultural Talk for Diversity events or collaborating as a speaker or participants, feel free to reach out.* Contact: janekimjh@naver.com

Monthly sessions are held via Zoom and are open to individuals passionate about diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding.Stay tuned for the next session and be part of a global conversation that bridges cultures and fosters mutual respect.