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Religion is central to the story of Texas—but its rich complexity often goes untold. Texas is more than the "buckle of the Bible Belt." It's a dynamic mosaic of religions, from the largest number of evangelical Protestants in the U.S. to one of the largest Muslim populations, the second-largest Hindu population, and a rapidly growing group of Texans with no religious affiliation.
How is this diversity of faith represented in the media? What stories are being told—and what’s being overlooked?
Join us Tuesday, April 8 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas as we convene Texas journalists, public scholars, and community leaders to explore how religion shapes our state and how journalism captures its evolving role.
REGISTER NOW
Don’t miss this important conversation about faith, identity, and media in Texas.
EVENT DETAILS
Together, we’ll:
Survey the current state of religion reporting in Texas.
Examine religion’s importance in telling the full story of Texas.
Highlight underrepresented communities, issues, and perspectives.
Discuss journalism’s role in shaping public understanding of faith.
Light breakfast and lunch will be provided by The Texas Tribune.
This daylong symposium is presented by the Institute for Diversity and Civic Life, Religion News Service, The Texas Tribune and Southern Methodist University's Religious Studies department. The event is sponsored by The Eula May & John Baugh Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation and Humanities Texas.
AGENDA:
8 a.m. — Doors open, coffee light breakfast and registration
9 to 10 a.m. — Welcoming remarks
9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Opening keynote: How does religion fit in the story of Texas today? Wtih Robert Jones, president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute.
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Panel: Christian Nationalism and the Texas Public Sphere. With David R. Brockman, non-resident scholar in religion and public policy, Baker Institute, Rice University; adjunct professor, Texas Christian University; Mark A. Chancey, professor of religious studies, Southern Methodist University; Robert Downen, democracy reporter, The Texas Tribune; Amanda Tyler, executive director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty; Moderated by Jack Jenkins, national reporter, Religion News Service
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Lunch
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Panel: Religion, Migration and Belonging. With Crystal Silva McCormick, visiting instructor of missions and evangelism, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; Nancy Kasten, chief relationship officer, Faith Commons; Aleja Hertzler-McCain, reporter covering Latino faith and American Catholicism, Religion News Service; and Erica M. Ramirez, senior director, Louisville Institute.
1:45 to 2:45 p.m. — Panel: Telling the Unheard Stories of Texas. With Daniel Bolger, assistant professor of sociology, Southern Methodist University; Upneet Kaur, senior education manager, The Sikh Coalition: Rish Oberoi, Texas state director, Indian American Impact: Sumbel “Susan” Zeb, board of directors, Place 2, Collin County Central Appraisal District. Moderated by Rachel Schneider, director, Boniuk Institute's Religion and Public Life Center, Rice University.
2:45 to 3:45 p.m. — Panel: Closing conversation: Where do we go from here? With Kerby Goff, associate director of research, Boniuk Institute, Rice University; Tiffany Puett, executive director, Institute for Diversity and Civic Life; J.B. Smith, editor-in-chief, The Waco Bridge; and Michael W. Waters, lead pastor, Abundant Life African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dallas. Moderated by Matthew Watkins, editor-in-chief, The Texas Tribune.
3:45 p.m. — Closing comments
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas’ breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more.
Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025.
TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.

Join us April 8 in Dallas for a full-day symposium about faith, identity and media in Texas By Texas Tribune Events Staff March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025 • My Project Name

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