TIDEL Speaker Series – Interactive Design and Engagement: Creating Stronger Digital Communities
Union Theological Seminary’s Technology, Innovation, and Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL) invites you to the next conversation in the TIDEL Speaker Series: Interactive Design & Engagement – Creating Stronger Digital Communities. Hosted by Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes, Director of the TIDEL Fellowship, this event will explore how design thinking and creative engagement can help faith-based and justice-driven communities thrive in digital spaces. Together, we’ll examine how technology, storytelling, and interactivity can deepen belonging, foster empathy, and strengthen connections across difference.
Joining Dr. Wilkes is Rev. Bethany Stolle, designer, pastor, and Founder of Stolle Creative, an organization dedicated to cultivating meaningful learning and worship experiences through innovative design. Drawing from her expertise at the intersection of theology, creativity, and human-centered design, Rev. Stolle will share practical insights on crafting digital spaces that are inclusive, participatory, and spiritually enriching. Don’t miss this dynamic online discussion on December 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST, as these two visionary leaders explore how thoughtful design can build stronger, more connected digital communities.
Date & Time:
Thursday, December 11, 2025|
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
Online Webinar
Meet the Speakers:
Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes is a public theologian, innovation strategist, pastor and author. She is the Director of the Technology, Innovation & Digital Engagement Lab Fellowship housed at Union Theological Seminary. She studied under the doctoral advisement of Dr. L. Gregory Jones at Duke Divinity School where she completed her Doctorate in Ministry on innovation, social change and the church.
Dr. Gabby is a sought after voice in the public square. She was a featured contributor on The 2023 Oprah Winfrey Network’s documentary series: Time of Essence (HBO MAX), a contributor to The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History’s new film, GODTALK (2023) and was a featured contributor to Dr. Henry Lewis Gates’ documentary, GOSPEL (2024) on PBS. In 2022 she released her first book: Psalms for Black Lives, Reflections for the Work of Liberation. The book has sold more than 10,000 copies worldwide.
Dr. Gabby travels the nation training and equipping faith leaders to do the work of love & justice. At the height of both a global pandemic and a contentious presidential election season, Dr. Gabby was appointed to then NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s COVID-19 Clergy Task Force . She also served as an Eastern Region Convener of the Black Church PAC where she trained hundreds of clergy across the eastern region of the nation on matters of faith & voter engagement strategies. In 2024 she was appointed to New York City Public School’s Chancellor David Banks’ Interfaith Advisory Council.
She is a graduate of Duke, Yale, NYU & Hampton University. She currently serves as Vice President of The Yale Divinity School Alumni Board.
Rev. Bethany Stolle is a user experience professional with a background in design research, interaction design, curriculum development, education, nonprofit work, and entrepreneurship. She loves design, theory, collaboration, and making ideas happen.