Majora Carter is dedicated to fighting "environmental racism" in her hometown of New York's South Bronx. She's working not just to hold back the polluters who target neighborhoods like hers, but to bring back the green.
Why you should listen to her:
Majora Carter is a visionary voice in city planning who views urban renewal through an environmental lens. The South Bronx native draws a direct connection between ecological, economic and social degradation. Hence her motto: "Green the ghetto!"
With her inspired ideas and fierce persistence, Carter managed to bring the South Bronx its first open-waterfront park in 60 years, Hunts Point Riverside Park. Then she scored $1.25 million in federal funds for a greenway along the South Bronx waterfront, bringing the neighborhood open space, pedestrian and bike paths, and space for mixed-use economic development.
Her success is no surprise to anyone who’s seen her speak; Carter's confidence, energy and intensely emotional delivery make her talks themselves a force of nature. (The release of her TEDTalk in 2006 prompted Guy Kawasaki to wonder on his blog whether she wasn't "every bit as good as [Apple CEO] Steve Jobs," a legendary presenter.)
Carter, who was awarded a 2005 MacArthur "genius" grant, now serves as executive director of Sustainable South Bronx, where she pushes both for eco-friendly practices (such as green and cool roofs) and, equally important, job training and green-related economic development for her vibrant neighborhood on the rise.
"We could not fail to be inspired by Majora Carter's efforts to bring green space for exercise to the South Bronx. We need more ideas like these to bring solutions to minority communities."Time
Blog Posts on TED
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MacArthur "genius" grant to TEDster Saul Griffith – September 25, 2007
Saul Griffith (watch his TEDTalk) has been awarded a 2007 MacArthur "genius" grant.
Griffith is one of the brains behind Instructables, a community website that lets users share directions for ... almost anything, from building your own home lathe to "How to Kiss." His think-tank design firm, Squid Labs, has invented an array of new devices and materials -- such as a "smart" rope that senses its load, or a machine for making low-cost eyeglass lenses through a process inspired by a water droplet -- and has now spun off several separate companies to dig deeper into some of the technologies it has pioneered, including Potenco, which makes the groovy pull-string power source for the XO laptop.
Look for other talks on TED.com from MacArthur grantees, including Majora Carter (2005), Anna Deavere Smith (1996) and Amy Smith (2004). With more to come ...
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A Macarthur for Majora – October 13, 2005
Among the newly minted 2005 MacArthur Fellows: Majora Carter, the charismatic pioneer for urban renewal who will speak at TED2006. Carter, who will receive one of the legendary $500K "genius grants," founded Sustainable South Bronx, an organization that's improved air quality, adopted green-roof technology, launched exercise programs, and built parks in a community that's long gone without green spaces or opportunities for healthy living. The MacArthur is just the latest chapter in Carter's remarkable story. We can't wait to hear her tell it ...
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Majora Carter on TEDTalks – June 27, 2006
Majora Carter is the Macarthur-winning founder of Sustainable South Bronx, an organization dedicated to holistic community development, sponsoring projects that create jobs, protect the environment and bring beautiful green space to the inner city. In this charismatic presentation (which received a prolonged standing ovation), she explains her commitment to environmental justice and her vision for a renewed South Bronx. [Recorded February, 2006 in Monterey, CA. Duration: 19:14]
Download this talk: Audio (MP3) | Video (MP4)
More TEDTalks: TEDTalks website | iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video)
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Jill Sobule and Ethel: Together in Central Park – September 20, 2007
Wednesday night, Jill Sobule (watch her TEDTalk performance) and the modern string ensemble Ethel (watch their TEDTalk performance) paired up to play a charming set together in Central Park, a preview of the upcoming album from this partnership that began at TED2006. Backed by Ethel's wall of sound, Jill's sweet, funny, wise pop songs -- including a knockout version of "I Kissed a Girl" -- take on a new richness. The bill, which also included the New Standards from Minneapolis and the evening's star, Lesley Gore, was assembled by Bill Bragin of Joe's Pub, who works with the TED team to help choose some of the musicians for each TED. At the show: Rives (watch his TEDTalks) and Majora Carter (watch her TEDTalk).
Photo: Jill Sobule and Ethel's Cornelius Dufallo. Courtesy Marla Mitchnick
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Inspired by Al Gore: TEDTalks – October 12, 2007
The TEDTalks archive is rich in proof that Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore, speaking at TED and elsewhere, truly has the power to inspire action. Producer and activist Jeff Skoll heard one of Gore's PowerPoint lectures and started the ball rolling on An Inconvenient Truth -- a film and website that became an incredibly effective way to share the message on climate change. John Doerr, the Silicon Valley financier, talks about a mind-changing conversation (like many of us had after An Inconvenient Truth) -- sitting with friends at a dinner party asking, "What can we do about what Al Gore has told us?" Doerr, it turns out, is doing quite a lot. Speaker Tony Robbins was moved by the way Gore -- after the legendary disappointment of that 2000 presidential race -- rebounded and found his passion. Look for the moment when Gore and Robbins share a high-five down in the front row. Majora Carter, meanwhile, offers new ways for Gore to share his passion -- by working with the thousands of people who are cleaning up the environment, starting in their own neighborhoods. And after hearing Al Gore's first talk at TED, Jill Sobule sat backstage and learned a new song.
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Day four: The day in quotes – February 25, 2006
"We are seeding the area with 'green-collar' jobs, people who have both an economic interest and a personal stake in their environment"— Majora Carter on her organization's efforts to 'green' the South Bronx
“If you're not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original” – Ken Robinson
"Creativity is now as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status". — Ken Robinson
"He was in someone's English class wasn't he? ... How annoying would that be?" —Ken Robinson imagining the challenge of educating William Shakespeare
"You see that the artist had no idea how to use colors, or maybe he was in a hurry" —Ursus Wehrli on “tidying up” Paul Klee’s 1930 colored chalkboard “Farbtafel”
"Live a "carbon neutral" life, it's easier than you think: reduce, and then offset the rest" – Al Gore
"On behalf of the elephants, thank you for listening" — Photographer Gregory Colbert
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Beyond the Top 10 TEDTalks: user favorites – July 1, 2008
Last week, TEDTalks celebrated our 50 millionth view by counting down the Top 10 TEDTalks of all time (so far) -- and inviting people to share their own favorites. Here are a few: My favorite is still Susan Savage-Rumbaugh and those bonobo apes. -- S.F., Boynton Beach, Florida Stamets (mushrooms), Isabel Allende (passion), Dave Eggers (schools), and Ballard (ocean) -- not to be missed. -- Marian Angele Majora Carter's talk on her environmental work in the Bronx. -- lydia chadwick Majora Carter's is my absolute favorite! -- Ariel, a TED fan I am dropping a line to say how much I enjoyed Aubrey de Grey's speech on aging. -- Diana Pasley I think Malcom Gladwell is that hidden gem. -- +Jono I nominate Theo Jansen's talk on creating new creatures as one of the "Hidden Gems." -- Paul If your own favorite TEDTalks aren't on the Top 10 list yet -- or you'd like to share your own hidden gems -- write to us at contact@ted.com or post a comment.
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Web-based ways to make a difference – January 1, 2008
To help those of us making resolutions this week, here is a sampling of web tools for making a difference, inspired by TEDTalks speakers: + Share Ron Eglash's cool math tools, for studying math via breakdancing, Latin beats and cornrow braids + Dive into Richard Baraniuk's Connexions, a massive repository of open-source class materials + Visit Phil Borges' Bridges to Understanding site, which rounds up student films from all over the world + Browse Erin McKean's booklist "So You Want to Be a Lexicographer?" + Check out the beta of Gapminder World, powered by Hans Rosling's Trendalyzer software + Watch video and take action at The Hub, a platform for human rights media and action -- presented by Peter Gabriel's WITNESS + Discuss sustainable design and materials on the Cradle to Cradle forums, inspired by the work of William McDonough + Learn more about Nicholas Negroponte's One Laptop per Child + Catch up with Majora Carter's Sustainable South Bronx -- or make a specific gift to SSBx via Changing the Present + Calculate your personal CO2 production -- and start helping the planet -- at the website for Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, produced by Jeff Skoll TEDTalks is full of ideas for making change for oneself and for others -- many more than we can list here. Please share your suggestions for other TEDTalks-inspired change!
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TEDTalks turn 2! – June 27, 2008
Two years ago today, TED.com posted its first six TEDTalks. It was a radical notion to share these powerful talks and ideas with the world -- but it looks like it was the right notion. This week, TEDTalks notched its 50 millionth view, and we moved to a daily publishing schedule to keep up with the demand for more great talks, performances and conversations.
Celebrate with us by suggesting your favorite TEDTalks over the past two years. Count down the Top 10 TEDTalks in a special Theme page, where you can discuss the talks and suggest your own hidden gems from the archive.
Watch the first six TEDTalks, posted two years ago today:
Al Gore on 15 ways to avert a climate crisis
David Pogue says "Simplicity sells"
Majora Carter's tale of greening the ghetto
Ken Robinson asks, Do schools kill creativity?
Tony Robbins talks about why we do what we do
Hans Rosling shows the best stats you've ever seen
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Embrace the zen of presentation – February 16, 2008
More presentation news: Garr Reynolds pulls examples from his favorite TEDTalks (Majora Carter, Hans Rosling, Sir Ken Robinson) for his new book, Presentation Zen-- to help his readers refine, simplify and focus their own presentations and talks.
What makes a great TED speaker? Passion, connection, a story to tell. As Reynolds points out, "If your idea is worth spreading, presentation matters."
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Introducing TEDTalks – June 27, 2006
Today, for the first time ever, we're thrilled to present some of the most remarkable talks from TEDs past. We launch with six from this year's conference — Al Gore, Tony Robbins, David Pogue, Majora Carter, Hans Rosling and Ken Robinson — with more coming weekly. All the talks are downloadable as audio or video, searchable and free.
It's a big moment for us: Until now, the TED experience has been limited to 1,000 people each year. But we believe passionately that these talks deserve a much wider audience. Now — thanks to the maturation of online video and podcasting, and a visionary sponsorship from BMW — we can share them for the first time.
TEDTalks are designed to fit into your life: You can subscribe, to easily receive updates each week. There's an audio series (produced with WNYC/New York Public Radio) that commutes well, as well as the video series, offered on this blog and TED.com, and downloadable through iTunes. Plus, the talks are fully searchable, so you can always find exactly what you're looking for.
Our intention here isn't to draw attendees (TED2007 already has a long waiting list), but simply to share these profound talks — which have had such great impact on us — with the widest possible audience. They're ideas worth spreading. So whether you're a TED veteran or virgin, we encourage you to clear your schedule and watch at least three talks, back to back. They have a cumulative effect ... — Chris
