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).

217 South Main Street
Lexington, North Carolina, 27292
United States

Antionette Kerr

Antionette Kerr is a non-profit leader, syndicated journalist, author and grant writer. Kerr is a native of Lexington, North Carolina, where she spent her youth living in pockets of economically distressed neighborhoods. As a student of journalism and African American history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kerr began researching topics on poverty-related issues that included the influence of race, gender and politics. As Executive Director of LHCDC, Antionette combines her love of journalism and economic empowerment to improve her community. She is the founder of Empowerment Magazine, a free resource of knowledge published by the Lexington Housing Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit agency that seeks to assist families in obtaining decent, safe and affordable homeownership opportunities. She was recently named as an inaugural recipient of The Yale Publishing Course Innovative Leader Scholarship.

Brian Wade

Brian Wade is a Nationally Board Certified AP World and US History Teacher at Lexington Senior High School where he is completing his 9th year. He has degrees in History from both NC State and UNCG, where he completed his Masters Degree in 2005. Brian is a native of North Carolina, never living more than a short drive from where he grew up in Randleman. Yes, he has met Richard Petty. Brian is a born educator who is passionate about his subject of History and is willing to carry on at length with anyone willing to listen. Brian was lucky enough to meet the love of his life, Diana, while she was in the US in 1999 for what she thought was a short work experience for an Italian furniture company. A wedding in Italy and a ton of pasta later they have a son, Lorenzo, who brings them a great deal of joy and also teaches them daily the meaning of the word, patience.

Chad Killebrew

Chad Killebrew has served as Executive Editor of The Dispatch since 2006. He first came to Lexington, NC in 1989 after graduating from Wake Forest University with an English degree. He immediately knew he made the right decision when he saw all the barbecue restaurants. He started as a reporter and held several editor positions before being promoted to his current position. He’s proud of the staff, who won third place this year in their division for General Excellence in the N.C. Press Association contest; Chad won first place for serious columns. His favorite quote about journalism is it's the "first rough draft of history." He grew up in Bryson City in the mountains of western North Carolina and graduated from Swain County High School. He's married to Sheila, the manager of the Lexington Library, and has two sons, a college freshman and high school sophomore.

Clarke D. Allen

Clarke D. Allen, DMCP, owner/president of Clarke Allen - an event, design, and show production company specializing in social events, meeting planning, historic tours and ground transportation, and non-profit assistance. Since 1994, Charlotte Arrangements, has grown into an award-winning, multi-million dollar company producing over 350 programs annually. With a degree from ASU in Boone, NC, Clarke has been working in the hospitality industry since the age of 14. Following college, he worked nine years in the hotel business and for the past 20 years, he has owned and operated his own design and event company. Clarke’s book, The Inevitable Box: One Man’s Quest for Significance, is the story of his own personal journey of self-discovery through his entrepreneurial experience. Clarke coaches business leaders and non-profit start-ups and believes in giving back with the goal of sharing what he knows in order to help others succeed.

Dawn Poole

Dawn Poole began her career as a middle school language arts teacher in 1996, but the majority of her time in education has been spent working in and with public high schools. Currently, she works as an Instructional Coach with the Lexington City School System. While earning postgraduate degrees in Secondary Education and Educational Leadership, Ms. Poole’s research focused on the areas of achievement gaps among student populations, and the implementation of service-learning within small learning communities. She had the opportunity to speak on these two areas at the Association of Secondary School Principals National Conference in 2004, and then again in 2007, at the Dropout Prevention National Conference. She and her husband, Rick Kriesky, have five children of whom they are very proud, but, their two grandchildren, Lynnlee and Brayden remain the bright spots in their lives.

Jonathan Bush

Jonathan Bush is helping to define cities across globe in research and practice. Beginning with a passion for Urban Planning, he was appointed to the South Elm Street citizen advisory team which focused on the redevelopment and economic health of one of the largest single sites in Greensboro. In his latest role, he responsible for managing subcontracts for the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). With a passion for urban planning, youth, and financial literacy -- Jonathan shares his passion through civic engagement. Jonathan is working to create a scholarship called ‘Jonathan Will’ awarding tuition assistance to minority students of exceptional aptitude. Jonathan’s writing has been featured in several publications including Empowerment Magazine, (a cofounder) and urban planning blogs. Jonathan holds a B.S. in Economics NC A&T State University, and is currently enrolled at Georgetown University pursuing a Masters’ in Urban Planning & Regional Planning.

Kevin Ferris

Kevin Ferris is a native of Reidsville, North Carolina. After graduating from Wake Forest University, he joined the Greater New Orleans corps of Teach for America, where he taught middle and high school English for four years. In 2013, Kevin returned to his hometown and began teaching in the English department and International Baccalaureate program at his alma mater, Reidsville High School. Outside of the classroom, he works with student government, the theatre program, and the Gay - Straight Alliance. He uses his position as a teacher to build meaningful relationships with his students, and dedicates himself to helping them sort through issues and problems in their own lives.

Kristen Dalton Wolfe

Kristen Dalton Wolfe, Miss USA 2009, a model, writer, speaker and author. During her reign she represented Donald Trump, NBC and the Miss Universe organization as spokesperson for Breast & Ovarian Cancer Research and Legislation, the USO and women's empowerment. She finished in the top 10 at Miss Universe. She holds a Psychology degree from East Carolina University Honors College. Kristen also models & acts in Hollywood. Kristen is the Founding Editor of SheisMore.com, a faith-based online women's magazine dedicated to "Revealing Her Radiance," encouraging women and girls through love and relationship advice, guest stories, devotions, inspirational articles, daily declarations and prayers. She and her husband Kris are motivational speakers who are passionate about revolutionizing a generation of men and women to rise up to their true identities and ultimately cultivating healthy & loving relationships. Kristen is the author of Rise Up Princess: 60 Days to Revealing Your Royal Identity.