Dallas Dinner Table formally announced Dionne Kirby, M.Hum. as its first Executive Director to help launch its national expansion as America’s Dinner Table.
“The board was impressed with Dionne’s credentials and leadership experience. She brings a unique set of skills that are a perfect fit for the Executive Director role,” said Dallas Dinner Table Board Chair Beverley Wright. “This is a critical time in our nation, and we are so grateful to have the support and recognition of our work by the local community and the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, which made this hire possible.”
Kirby most recently served as the Senior Director of Philanthropy at Literacy Achieves, a local nonprofit that serves adult immigrants, refugees, and their families. Kirby is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, has years of experience teaching, developing curriculums, and supporting nonprofits in Dallas and Washington, D.C.
“I want to ensure the impact of this homegrown gem is nationally known for its attributes of peace and transformation,” Kirby said. “Dallas Dinner Table provides the opportunity to listen, see ourselves in others, and rethink the stories we tell. Many Dallasites know about our annual event held on Martin Luther King Day, but many aren’t aware that local, national corporations, and nonprofits engage us throughout the year.”
The vision of America’s Dinner Table is to achieve an America without racism, one conversation at a time. America’s Dinner Table mission is to engage people and challenge assumptions to build understanding while strengthening connections. The mission is accomplished through shared experiences, increased knowledge, and the development of true fellowship that unites people of different races, ethnicities, and economic status. The Dinner Table experience is a strong start on that long road.
