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).

200 County Line Road
Hobart, Indiana, 46342
United States

Andre "Add-2" Daniels

Since the release of his mixtape Tale of Two’s City Vol.2 in 2008, Add-2 has been captivating listeners & taste makers ears and imagination with his unique blend of Hip Hop, Soul and Jazz. From his acrobatic word play, his detailed story-telling and his no holds barred social commentary; Add-2 has emerged as a respected voice of clarity in the midst of the noise in a chaotic world. After years of perfecting his craft, Add-2 has earned a list of accomplishments many emcee’s dream of. From being on Mtv2, MtvU, FUSE, HOT97, Shade 45, EBONY, he is currently sponsored by major clothing company LRG, he has performed alongside legendary hip hop band The Roots, featured on songs with Talib Kweli, BJ The Chicago Kid and is one of both Kadeem Hardison and Common’s favorite new emcee’s: “With artists like Add-2, he is somebody who seems like he really cares about the culture and cares about uplifting people, and that’s inspirational to see, I get inspired by people that do that. No matter what age you are, where you’re from, when you’re really trying to do something good, I see that and I’m like, ‘man…’ It’s a good reminder of what I should be doing.” - Common Add-2 grew up on Chicago’s notorious south side surrounded by an environment that exposed him to many harsh realities at an early age from gang violence, drug use and poverty. Born the second of three kids, Add found refuge in his writing determined not to suffer the mistakes of his friends and peers. In song Add-2 began telling his story; a story that he felt wasn’t told often but was desperately needed: A story about survival. Add-2 has released several critically acclaimed projects such as “Save.Our.Souls”, “More Missed Calls”, “Between Heaven And Hell” and “Prey For The Poor”. In 2016 he created Haven Studio which is a free music mentoring program that gives teens on the southside of Chicago a positive outlet to express themselves creatively. Add-2 continues to use his voice and his platform to change the world around him.

Dr. Sandra Rogers

Dr. Sandra Chimon-Rogers obtained her Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Nuclear Neurochemistry from the University of Illinois. She has brought her Alzheimer’s disease research to Calumet College of St. Joseph and is utilizing various high-tech bio-analytical techniques and orthomolecular compounds to find a preventative. Her experience and passion include encouraging students to present their research findings at various conferences from around the nation to around the world and currently, even as far as the International Space Station. As a graduate student and post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Chimon-Rogers has successfully published papers in the top rated scientific peer-reviewed journals, such as Nature and JACS. Her contributions have changed the way the scientific Alzheimer’s disease community thinks. The focus of the scientific community has shifted from the fibrils or plaques to the soluble intermediates as a result of her findings. With this knowledge, she has implemented her learnings and research techniques while maximizing the resources at CCSJ to continue to carry out research with her undergraduate students. Due to the increased activity of her students at CCSJ, her results are in the process of leading to an extremely large number of presentations and publications. These findings are on their way to being collected and compressed into a few manuscripts to be submitted to peer-reviewed scientific journals. As a faculty member, Dr. Chimon-Rogers is a contributing member to the institution, one who gladly steps up to the plate to help develop and revise curriculum, and provide various opportunities of interest to her students. She also takes that extra step to discusses with her students the various types of careers and/or graduate school opportunities that are available to them based on their area of interest. Scientific service also entails encouraging female scholars to strengthen their passion in science and scientific careers/graduate school. As an active member of WISE (Women in Science and Engineering), female minority scholars in the sciences are amongst one of the smallest minorities. She strongly encourage ALL her students, sometimes giving the extra push to her female and minority scholars. She continues to strongly encourages all her students to take full advantage of the various grants/scholarships and careers opportunities that present themselves. Dr. Chimon-Rogers’ idea of mentoring not only includes the above-mentioned aspects, but also entails providing a holistic mentoring for success, helping improve her students’ self-image by having them succeed at challenging tasks, become comfortable with the scientific background and discussing their research and scientific learning in a positive, effective manner. A new and innovative way to teach the science at CCSJ.

Emerson Spartz

Emerson Spartz is the CEO of Dose, one of the world's fastest-growing digital media companies with 50 million unique visitors per month. Dose, the company behind Dose.com and OMGFacts.com, has raised $35 million in funding. Named "The Virologist" by The New Yorker, Spartz is one of the world's leading experts on internet virality and has been featured in major media including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc, CBS, CNBC, and CNN. Spartz was named to both Forbes' and Inc Magazine's "30 Under 30" lists. At the age of 12, Spartz founded Mugglenet, the #1 Harry Potter site and one of the largest websites of the early 2000s, which attracted 50 million page views per month. By the age of 19, Spartz became a New York Times bestselling author after publishing his first book.

Michael Miller

Michael Miller is the founder of JobReadyScore.com, a startup organization working to create a new measurement for job-preparedness. Mike is a consultant for Ivy Tech Community College’s Workforce Alignment department, working to align the country’s largest community college with the industries it serves. A former pastor, Mike’s passions are his family, his faith, and the development of innovative ideas.

Stewart McMillan

Stewart McMillan has been in the fire industry since childhood. His earliest recollection is riding back to the fire station on the knee of a Chicago Lieutenant on Squad 2 when he was six years old. All through his childhood years, Stewart found hanging out at the fire station to be far more interesting than hanging out with other kids. As Chief Clyde McMillan, Stewart's father, grew the Gary Fire Task Force, Stewart was there weekend after weekend helping rebuild and maintain the menagerie of old fire apparatus that the Civil Defense Fire Department had managed to obtain. In 1968, at the age of 14, Stewart drove a 1947 International Pumper to a lumber yard fire, and connected it to the hydrant with a hard suction all by himself. From that point on, he was involved with the Gary Fire Task Force up through 1973. Stewart attended Purdue University Calumet where he received the first interdisciplinary degree in engineering, while working full-time to help his father in the struggling family business. In the early years of the company, he was involved with the manufacturing of the company, while his father and brother, Doug, handled the sales aspects. Task Force Tips continued to grow rapidly, and in May of 1976, groundbreaking took place for their first facility in Valparaiso, Indiana. In the fall of 1982, a great tragedy struck the McMillan family when Chief Clyde McMillan died suddenly. It was at this time that Stewart, age 28, became President of Task Force Tips, Inc. Stewart takes an active role in all aspects of the company's operations. He is a visionary leader that continues to look for new technology and better ways of manufacturing equipment. Under his leadership the company continues to expand and meet market demands. As a result of the innovative computer systems he has employed and has highly committed employees. Task Force Tips sets the industry standards for on-time deliveries, product quality, and follow-up service. Stewart is a member of the Valparaiso Rotary and The Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. He is also active in the World Presidents Organization, active member of the Ivy Tech Board of Trustees, MAAC Foundation and National Association of Manufacturers. Stewart has also been a member of the Union Township Fire Department and Washington Township Fire Department, and has held officer positions on both departments at the same time. An aviation enthusiast, he is also a certified instrument multi-engine pilot, a member of Experimental Aircraft Association, and the Airplane Owners & Pilots Association. In addition, on various occasions, Stewart has flown several "missions" for LifeLine pilots--a non-profit organization that flies patients with healthcare needs to the proper facilities, entirely through the donation of the pilot's time and aircraft. Stewart and wife, Kathryn, have two children, Kelly and Ian. Most recently became grandparents to their grandson Mack.

Will Glaros

As a lifelong resident and business owner in Northwest Indiana since 1977, you have probably had the pleasure of meeting Will. Or maybe you’ve heard him on the WJOB interviewing local people on Positive Attitude, or read his Times newspaper column, Limbwalkers or met him at a business seminar informing people about healthcare reform. For decades, business owners have relied on Will to deliver the highest quality benefit services to companies throughout the region. A graduate of Indiana University, he began his career in 1973 as an insurance agent with Prudential Life. Then in 1978 he founded Employer Benefit Systems (EBS), which was one of the largest locally owned employee benefits firm in Northwest Indiana until the company merged with HIA Insurance in 2014 to form the Meyers Glaros Group. In his current role as managing partner at Meyers Glaros Group, Will continues to work with the area’s leading employers to develop their benefit plans. As a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) for more than 30 years, Will has been very active in the healthcare industry. He has led the Northwest Indiana Wellness Council, served as past president of the Northwest Indiana NAHU chapter, sits on an advisory board for the Indiana Department of Insurance, and is a member of the Leading Producers Roundtable and Anthem Broker Advisory. Will has been interviewed by numerous news outlets for his wealth of knowledge about healthcare reform and speaks to organizations about trends in healthcare. He is recognized throughout the state of Indiana as being one of the industry’s most dynamic businessmen and his unique outlook helps Meyers Glaros Group stay ahead in the industry. Throughout his life, Will has also been involved with many community and civic organizations including serving as past president of Habitat for Humanity and current board member for the Early Learning Partnership (formerly Parents as Teachers). Will lives in St. John with his wife Marcia. Son Matt works by his side at Meyers Glaros Group and daughter Megan is Chicago Weather Woman (CBS Channel 2). In his spare time, he enjoys reading, golfing and spending time with his six grandchildren.