Theme: Made In The Future

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).

The Brit School For Performing Arts
60 The Crescent
Croydon, Croydon, CR0 2HN
United Kingdom

Ben Towers

Tech Entrepreneur

Ben Towers is a Multi-Award Winning Young Serial Entrepreneur. At the young age of 11 he ventured into the digital media industry. After a number of challenges Ben managed to grow his business whilst still at school and now (aged 17) in his largest business he employees 15 full time professional members of staff. Ben is also an ambassador for a number of business organizations helping promote Young People in business. Alongside his work the entrepreneur is currently studying for his GCSE exams taking place later this year. Ben has had the opportunity to lobby with some of the UK’s most powerful Politcian’s as well as raise awareness for some of UK’s best up and coming small businesses. Ben’s story is extremely inspirational and not one to be missed. Listen to how Ben has taken the corporate world by storm and the challenges he had to face along the way.

Boy Blue Entertainment

Hip Hop Dance Company

Boy Blue Entertainment is an Olivier Awarded Hip-Hop Dance Company founded in London by choreographer Kenrick 'H2O' Sandy and composer Michael 'Mikey J' Asante. As joint Artistic Directors, they work together on the creation and development of all of Boy Blue Entertainment's productions and projects. Acclaimed for presenting "the perfect marriage of music and dance", Boy Blue releases boundless creative energy in its performances, laying down the beats and delivering thrilling and raw dance sequences. The company is proud to be home to some of the UK's most sought after hip hop artists.

Erica Campbell

Erica Campbell has released 2 solo albums as well as 7 albums with her sister as part of the dynamic duo “Mary Mary”. Campbell has received numerous awards and accolades. Most recently her album “Help” won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album as well as 8 Stellar Awards. She is currently on her solo tour, “Erica Campbell & Friends: The Help 2.0 Tour”. Erica is the proud wife of Grammy-award winning producer and pastor of California Worship Center, Warryn Campbell II. The couple has 3 children - Krista, Warryn III and Zaya (Zay-yah).

Georgio Savvides & The Hip Hop Orchestra

Classical Musicians

We are The Hip Hop Orchestra, an exciting music group aimed at popularising Classical Music amongst a wider array of people by mixing the best elements of both Hip Hop And Classical into one by fusing live classical instruments such as Strings and Piano, along with the grittiness of Hip Hop with a live Dj and bass player. Over the past 3 years, we have performed at venues such as the Legendary Maida Vale Studios For BBC Radio 1xtra, the 02, Proud Camden and XOYO to name just a few, and the feedback has been nothing short of brilliant.

Ife Tokan

Motivator

The Future Leaders Magazine, UK, listed Ife Tokan in the Top 100 Outstanding Graduates. He has interned in top global brands like Accenture, PwC, Foresight Group, Atkins and Deloitte. Ife is also a contributor to the career and self-development column for West Africa’s most viewed blog Bella Naija. He is also the Co-Founder of Africa Youth Gala (AYG), which is a platform for young ambitious Africans to connect, move forward together and create positive change. He is a big believer in giving back to the community through any capacity possible. He describes himself in three words: Purposeful, Passionate and Proactive. Ife loves building and mentoring future leaders

Jerome Harvey-Agyei & Zawdie Mascoll

Hosts

Jerome Harvey-Agyei and Zawdie Mascoll are young presenters who use their unique style to entertain all crowds. When they are not "JB" they both work within the community and between each they work with a variety of organisations such as; Barnardo's, Masquerade 2000 carnival band , princes trust, Streetlife radio, Waltham Forest College and many more. They believe that they are oneof few young, double acts in London representing diversity, fun and opportunity. They aim tobean ethnic version of Ant and Dec with a bit more energy and also highlight issues that they have experienced growing up with a sense to use those experiences to educate, empower and evolve young people and the wider community.

Samuel King

Spoken Word Artist

Samuel King is a Spoken Word Artist from London who has performed around the UK sharing his diverse, yet humorous concepts and perceptions of life. Coming from a background off rap and grime, “actual lyrical content was thrown away which to me was the most important part of music as it allows the individual to express themselves in a way that makes sense without listeners getting lost in the music... an actual message can be passed.” Having received media attention from the likes of the Guardian and Huffington Post, Samuel is recognised for his thought provoking, impactful poems ‘Fatherless Britain‘, ‘What I Wasn't Taught In School’ and ‘Our Iconic Land’.

Sean Spooner

Editorial Director of Magnate Media

Sean is Editorial Director of new media startup Magnate Media, the publisher of men’s lifestyle title Magnate. Sean started his publishing career aged just 14 when he launched ‘Corby Magazine’, a local magazine which saw him named as ‘The World’s Youngest Publisher’. He later appeared on BBC 1’s ‘Young Apprentice’, with the BBC hailing him a ‘publishing prodigy’.

Shadez The Misfit

Music Artist & Creative

Shadez The Misfit is a Music Artist & Creative from South London who aims to push the boundaries as a multi-layered artist. Known for delivering thought provoking and cleverly assembled real life related lyrics, on a combination of Alternative & futuristic sounding tracks, Shadez adds value by providing vivid branding and distinctive aesthetics to accompany everything he does. With performances on Channel 4, G-shock, Lovebox and more, to working with brands such as Adidas, PlayStation & Samsung. In addition having features from the likes of MTV , Complex, and Dazed & Confused among others, The Misfit continues to prove why standing out is more important.

Siân Cleaver and Vedika Dalmia

Software Developer and Mission System Engineer

Vedika is a Software Developer at Bloomberg LP, developing features for their news platform. She graduated from the University of Surrey in 2012, securing a BSc, with First Class Honours, in Computer Science, a software patent, the prestigious Anita Borg Scholarship for Women in Technology, and a love for travelling. Siân works in the space industry as a Mission Systems Engineer, designing and developing future space missions that will go on to explore our solar system. She graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Physics and Astrophysics from Durham University and is passionate about all things ‘space’. Both Siân and Vedika are enthusiastic about promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), particularly to young women. Siân is an active STEM ambassador who regularly visits schools, and Vedika is a co-organiser for Ladies Who Code London. Both are members of the Women Into Science and Engineering (WISE) Young Women’s Board.

South London Samba

Youth Drumming Ensemble

South London Samba is a youth drumming ensemble based in New Cross. Although they use instruments usually associated with 'Samba' they aren't confined to one style.

Stephane Alexandre

Presenter and Blogger

Stephané Alexandre is passionate about creating content in a positive and engaging way. She launched her career in journalism as a TV Host and has since interviewed a range of entertainment's finest from Gregory Porter, Jason Isaacs, Bishop TD Jakes, Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry and many more. Keen to be a positive influence through the media, in 2011 Stephané launched online hub Milk & Honey UK. Shortlisted at the 2012 Cosmopolitan Blog Awards for best lifestyle blog (Top 5). Aimed at young women, this online platform is passionate about protecting moral values and bringing an awareness of self-value and worth to young women around the world. In 2012 she was listed as Virgin Media Pioneer of The Month and featured in Powerful Media’s 2011 Top 100 Black Graduate List in the UK.

Zachary Jarvis

Digital Marketer

Aged 16, Zachary left school in order to pursue his digital marketing career with his startup, Speechless Digital. Six years since founding Speechless Digital, Zachary continues to thrive as a digital marketing specialist with a vast amount of experience aged only 22. In the digital market age we find ourselves in, the market has become oversaturated, however Zachary continues to set personal records in terms of client numbers, and client results considerably above industry standards. With average client return on investment at 700% it’s no surprise that Zachary’s clients describe his work as “transforming” for their business. These successes have seen his revenues triple in the last year alone and they continue to augment. Zachary is also co-founder and Engagement Director of Magnate, London's lifestyle content platform for men.

Zusi Inegbeniki

Student

Zusi is involved in competing in athletics competitions around the country to fundraising for the Wings of Hope charity. Throughout her life she has lived in several countries and had an insight into the two extremes of wealth. Having attended a boarding school in a terrorist affected area in Nigeria and North London Collegiate, one of the most highly esteemed all girls institutions in England, Zusi has experiences have given her a link and a bridge between two very different worlds.