Theme: CONNECT

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

1000 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, Georgia, 30144
United States

Carly Burruss

Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Carly Burruss is one of the new faces of traditional country music. Over the past two years, Carly performed “We Were Us” with Keith Urban on the Raise Em Up Tour, opened for Dwight Yoakam at Atlanta Symphony Hall, and played two music festivals alongside Florida-Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Jason Derulo, Flo Rida, Dustin Lynch, Frankie Ballard, and RaeLynn.

Chris Bruno

For the last three years Bruno has been performing improv comedy around the city of Atlanta. He has seen firsthand the impact technology has on personal connection and wants to show how basic improv skills can help overcome these challenges.

Colin Rice

As someone who has always been fascinated with the idea of creating something from nothing, Colin focuses on how to further develop his own creativity while helping others discover their own powers of originality. Colin Rice is currently studying business and computer science.

Emily Wynn

Jenny Brown

Jenny Brown is the Associate Director for Residential Education at Kennesaw State University. As an MBA, working with students everyday, and applying lessons from her own life, Jenny has found great importance in the every day actions which collectively make up our entire lives. Jenny works through student affairs to help inspire students to understand that every thing they do matters.

Katherine Leonard Reed

Katherine spent the first 10 years of her career as a successful art director in Manhattan. She joined The Coca-Cola Company in the early 1990’s and stayed with them for over 20 years. While at Coke, Katherine was given the opportunity to grow her creative thinking as well as her strategic and analytical skills. She led both complex innovation teams and individual direct reports. Katherine grew up with parents that had very different thinking patterns. Through childhood and work experiences, Katherine gained insights on different thinking styles and how to use those differences to understand and motivate the people with whom you closely interact.

Kecia Jones

Kecia Jones is an award-winning success coach, former teacher, speaker, and Millennial activist. She is the founder of Millennial Movement, an empowerment agency for youth and young adults. As a student success coach, Kecia has spent years studying education and success methods for youth & young adults. s a Millennial Activist, she’s quoted to say, “ Millennials aren't lazy. We just don't put energy into systems that don't work. Millennials are the change agents within the greatest time in history, and the first change we will make is in the realm of education. It’s a great Becoming!”

Mazida Khan

Mazida Khan teaches Peace Studies at Kennesaw State University. She specializes in helping students transform their peace ideas from inspiration to action- in their everyday lives and the world around them. The peace education she offers emphasizes the need to think, speak and act for peace. In training people on how to engage in peacebuilding initiatives, her mottos are to ‘Think big, start small’ and ‘Before going global, to think and act local’. She believes in building world peace, one relationship at a time.

Nancy Hoalst Pullen

Nancy Hoalst Pullen is an associate professor of Geography and Geographic Information Science director at Kennesaw State University. She has published on the geographies of beer, and has traveled worldwide, many times to learn firsthand about the geographies of fermented drink. She received her PhD from University of Colorado at Boulder, masters degree from Indiana State University, and bachelor degrees from Valparaiso University.

Rachel Fletcher

Rachel is a current student at KSU. She aspires to become an educator. As an educator, she loves the dissemination of ideas. She thoroughly enjoys seeing how other people think and how TED embodies the sharing of ideas.

Rachel Anne Kieran, Psy.D.

An Atlanta-area therapist with knowledge and experience in the areas of sexual, gender and relational diversity. Kieran provides individual therapy that is LGBTQIQ-affirmitive, sex-positive, polyamory-friendly and kink-knowledgeable. In addition to therapy services, Kieran also often provide talks and lectures on a variety of topics, most often on sexual, gender and relational diversity. These may be to other mental health professionals, or to the public.

Taylor Marie

Having grown up in a small town in Georgia, Taylor Marie’s influences are vividly depicted in her live performances. Starting out as a songwriter, her family is the foundation for the majority of her writing, particularly her paternal Grandmother. She also credits her for her musical influences, remembering growing up to the sounds of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker and Tammy Wynette. While country holds a special place, her edgy vocal and writing style stem from early influences and a continued fascination with Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks and Bonnie Raitt. Taylor Marie is currently recording her deput EP, blending her honest lyrics and country influences with her passion for rock and blues.

Tim Poe

Tim is expert in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) administration, development, and instruction currently holds positions in Enterprise GIS leadership and teaching innovative classes at Kennesaw State University. Tim has passion for GIS, GIS education, and enabling new visualizations of data spatially for customers to reveal the previously unseen.

Vincent Brown

Vincent is a college student and break dancer who seeks to show the world that break dancers are artists who have yet to be recognized.