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).
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Songwriters of No BS! Brass Band
Songwriters of No BS! Brass Band
No BS! Brass Band, the 11-piece brass and drum group from Richmond, VA praised by SPIN for their “sternum-rattling” sound is back with ‘Brass Knuckles’ (out 11/20), their most politically urgent record to date. With a signature blend of jazz and hip-hop infused horns and foot-stomping rhythms, the album features killer rapped and chanted vocals on more than half of its tracks as a fierce response to recent police brutality and social unrest. Instead of feeling hopeless, the 11 original new songs call listeners to action: to stay positive and strong, and seek fun in the midst of tragedy. Indeed, with this record No BS! doesn’t lose any of the “booty-shaking, fist-pounding brand of brass ferocity” Paste praised last year. The songwriters from the new album will speak to the fact that, to make the future, we must see many as one.Tomahawk Creek Tech Club
Youth Technology Innovators
In the summer of 2014, students from Tomahawk Creek Middle School's Tech Club made their first hand for Enabling the Future, a volunteer organization that makes hands for people with limb deficiencies. As more Tech Club members have joined the original 10, they are now working on our 4th hand. They named their group Hands Building Hands. Although they use their 3D Printer for many things, their biggest projects are the hands that they make and give away.Ajay Reddy
Aspiring Teen Composer and Instrumentalist
From an early age, Ajay Reddy has loved music. His first instruments were pairs of chopsticks, plates and cups courtesy of Chinese restaurants in California. He appeased his hunger for rhythm by playing drums and then transitioned to teaching himself piano at the age of 10. Formal music lessons were painstakingly challenging due to his learning style until he met incredible music mentors here in Richmond. Ajay is an enthusiastic participant in Live Art which is a cutting edge all-inclusive program produced by SPARC. One of his dreams is to compose for Cirque Du Soleil. But more importantly, he hopes to bring peace to one’s soul through the power of music.Caryn Foster Durham
Brand Communication Strategist
Caryn is a wife, Type B mom and small-business owner looking for inspiration and humor in each day. She strives to make the world a little more creative, technologically savvy, informed and, of course, fun! Recognized countless times for creative and strategic excellence as the co-owner of Charles Ryan Associates (CRA), Caryn uses her love of market research, trend analysis and consumer behavior to provide strategies that help brands grow and thrive. Her work with brands includes Google, McDonald’s, Virginia is for Lovers, Wellpoint/Anthem, Southeast Tourism Society, Richmond Region Tourism and the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild.Chad Moses
To Write Love on Her Arms Advocate
Chad Moses began working with To Write Love on Her Arms in 2008 with the hopes that his past battles could bring about a positive change in someone else’s life. His college years at the University of Virginia (B.A., Jewish Studies and Religious Studies) were spent serving the student body as an R.A., yet were contrasted by his private struggles with depression, substance abuse, and self-injury. Through the help of caring friends, he was able to take steps away from isolation and into supportive community. Since graduating from UVA, Chad has taken TWLOHA’s message of hope and healing to music venues and schools all across the U.S., Europe, and Australia.Craig Dodson
Founder and Executive Director of Richmond Cycling Corps
A poor high school student, a former elite cyclist, a bio-mechanist, and big thinker, Craig Dodson is the unlikely Founder and Executive Director of Richmond Cycling Corps. Craig runs the visionary and directional-joystick of the organization…obsessively.Dominic Barrett
Executive Director of Shalom Farms
Dominic Gibbons Barrett is the Executive Director of Shalom Farms. He was drawn to the work by a lifelong passion for social justice, a desire to find equitable and sustainable ways to empower communities, and a belief in the transformative power of food. In addition to providing leadership on a number of local and regional food access initiatives, he works to develop statewide strategies to improve the food system in ways that benefit the most poor and marginalized communities. In 2010, Bread for the World recognized Dominic as one of the “the best and brightest young advocates” on issues of hunger. He is most proud that his “Little Brother” Devonte still wants to hang out after being paired for 4 years and that his jump shot is only slightly worse than it was 10 years ago.Ellen Cockerham Riccio
Executive Director of Classical Revolution RVA
Ellen is the Executive Director of Classical Revolution RVA, a nonprofit organization which seeks to integrate classical music with Richmond’s vibrant music and arts scene by performing in bars, restaurants, galleries, and other non-traditional venues. The group includes several members of the Richmond Symphony, VCU students and faculty, and local freelancers—over 200 musicians in total. Ellen has drawn on this pool of local talent to present monthly concerts at Balliceaux, an opera at Hardywood, concerts which pair classical music with other genres, and the annual Mozart Festival in Carytown. More information can be found at www.classicalrevolutionrva.com. Ellen Cockerham Riccio has served as Principal Second Violin of the Richmond Symphony since 2009. She has been a featured soloist with the Symphony and served as acting concertmaster from January to May 2011. Previously, she served as principal second in the Canton (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra and in CityMusic Cleveland.Garth Callaghan
Napkin Notes Dad
Ever since his daughter was in kindergarten, Garth Callaghan put a small inspirational note, written on a napkin, in his daughter’s lunch box. When he was diagnosed with cancer a third time, Garth worried that he wouldn’t make it to his daughter’s graduation, and neither would his notes. He decided to write them in advance just in case, and he did, for all 826 days left until she was done with school. Today they’re stored in a special box for safe keeping. He wakes up each day looking to inspire other parents to write napkin notes to their children, and to inspire cancer patients to fight and live well! Garth shares the daily napkin inspiration to help inspire others. He encourages people to write notes and create deeper connections and relationships.Jendayi Johnson
ART 180′s Teen Leadership Council Member, Spoken Word Poet
Jendayi Johnson has served on ART 180′s Teen Leadership Council since 2013. She has helped create and perform ART 180 plays PowerFULL and #BlackLivesMatter in partnership with The Conciliation Project. Jendayi is a sophomore studying musical theater at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School.John Marshall
Administrator, Glen Allen High School
John Marshall is a high school administrator in Henrico County and program coordinator of the Student Transformation and Empowerment Project for at-risk students. He has spent a decade as an award-winning educational leader, teacher, coach, and administrator at Varina High School and Glen Allen High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of William & Mary and a Masters in Education from the University of Virginia. He lives near Ashland with his wife Amy and their two sons.Joshua Bailey
Co-founder and CEO of the Gray Haven Project
Joshua D. Bailey has spent the last 10 years exploring what it means to live a life engaging complex issues. Joshua is the Co-founder and CEO of the Gray Haven Project, a Richmond-based non-profit that is committed to providing hope, freedom, and opportunity to victims of human trafficking and slavery. He is also the Executive Producer of the upcoming documentary film Reclaim: Freedom Beyond Rescue, a film exploring what life looks like after trafficking. With a primary focus on the impact that systems have on oppressed populations, Joshua actively engages in complex conversations that bridge gaps between different groups and beliefs. He believes story and the art of listening can shift our collective understanding of one another and the issues that impact communities.Justin Graves
Universal Design and Access Avocate
Recognized in 2012 by First Lady Michelle Obama, “life is all about what you have done for other people” is more than just Justin Graves’ life motto. Sure, you’ll find it on the front page of his advocacy blog, HESONWHEELS.com, but Justin really lives this motto out everyday. Acquiescing to nothing, Justin does not recognize the potential limits of his quote-unquote “disability”, but rather uses it is an opportunity to demonstrate his passion for helping others in a unique way. Today, Justin will share stories that relay what he thinks the future can be made to look like if we all focus just a little bit more on service to others, no matter our situation.Kate Nezelek
Spoken Word Poet
She is a poet and spoken word artist, whose work often centers around themes of relationships and internal struggles. She draws her inspiration from her own personal experiences, and uses poetry as a way to clear her mind. Creative Writing is something Kate has been doing since elementary school, but her love of poetry wasn’t found until her freshman year of high school, a time in which she was largely inspired by the works of Andrea Gibson and Shinji Moon. At the end of her junior year, she was honored with the Hollins University Book Award for her passion for creative writing. Kate hopes to pursue spoken word in the future as a possible profession, and continuously searches for the opportunity to do so.Kenneka Cook
Jazz Vocalist
Kenneka Cook is an up-and-coming Jazz vocalist from Richmond, Virginia. Her love of Jazz started at the young age of 10. Kenneka’s musical style is inspired by the vocal Jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Betty Carter, and Sarah Vaughan, as well as R&B, Gospel, and Soul. She has combined her Jazz roots with the art of “looping” to uniquely produce popular covers as well as her own songs, performing around the city for the past few years.Luke Tyson
Youth Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Founder SEW for SOS
As a youth social entrepreneur and philanthropist, Luke Tyson launched a non-profit initiative called SEW for SOS in 2013. His project, with the mission of uplifting individuals going through rough times, gave youth a platform to make a positive impact through the sewing of miniature pillows with kind or inspirational sentiments stitched inside. These pillows were sent to mental health patients, veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), wounded soldiers, and others in need of uplifting across the globe. Over the two years that SEW for SOS ran, it garnered the support of youth volunteers across the nation, raised nearly $2,000 through both crowdfunding and grants, was featured on both local and national news, and was able to impact nearly 1,000 individuals.May Donahue
Mental Illness Advocate
May Donahue is a senior at Collegiate School and has been attending since kindergarten. She has been in recovery from an eating disorder for over a year and is enthusiastic about raising her voice for others who have suffered from mental illness. May loves helping others overcome their struggles and having been through thick and thin, is always there to lend a helping hand. You can usually find her playing with her three dogs or visiting her favorite coffee shop, procrastinating so she doesn’t have to do her homework.Sara Surface
Vice President of One Less, Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate
Sara Surface, born and raised in Richmond, graduated from Maggie Walker Governor’s School in 2012 and is currently a 4th year student at the University of Virginia. She’s studying Global Development Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality. Sara is the Vice President of One Less, an organization which focuses its efforts on advocacy for survivors of rape and sexual assault in the UVA community. Her academic work has focused on racism, sexism, and advocacy and activism surrounding both.Organizing team
