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).

Valdosta State University
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, Georgia, 31698
United States

Amanda Green

Hi, my name is Amanda Green, and I am enthusiastic about life. I have the wonderful pleasure of being a mom to a little guy named Sebastian and a sweet angel named Sasha. I aim to leave each person I met better than I met them by finding a way to brighten their day. I am passionate about empowering, encouraging, and inspiring people to live their life out loud. I am a recent graduate of Wiregrass Georgia Techincal College for the Esthetics Program and a fully licensed Esthetician from Georgia. My life intends to help change the current narrative of brown and black women, which tells us there is only one type of luxury in our life. I aim to create a safe space for women of color to fully relax and recharge themselves in the form of self-care when visiting my spa, The Goddess Life Skin Bar. Life is meant to be lived, good food is meant to be enjoyed; the world is meant to be seen, great laughs are meant to be had, and one should never feel less than for wanting the best for their life.

Beverly Montgomery

.

Dixie Haggard

Dr. Dixie Haggard is originally from Warner Robins, GA, and I got my BA and MA from Georgia Southern University. I received my Ph. D. from the University of Kansas in 2005. I am a Professor of History, and I have been at VSU since 2005. I specialize in Native American history with an emphasis on Native people in the Southeast. I have been working as a pro bono consultant to the Pascagoula River Tribe on the federal acknowledgment process and liaison to the Bureau of Indian Affairs since 2013.

Evan, Autumn Judah

Philadelphia natives Evan & Autumn Judah took a step of faith and trusted they heard God as they felt led to Journey 890 miles south to a small town in Georgia. The duo has always had a passion for helping the undeserved and less fortunate. The two were willing to put themselves in the position of the people they were helping when they felt God leading them to give away their belonging to move to a place they had never heard of—trusting that God would provide.

Jimmecha Carr

JImmecha Carr is a twenty-four-year-old Communication graduate student at Valdosta State University. She was born and raised in Albany, Ga where she discovered her love for the arts and the communication field. In 2018, Jimmecha graduated from Andrew College with her Associates of Arts Degree in Communication. In 2020 she graduated from Valdosta State with her Bachelor's of Arts degree in Communication. She has traveled in several oratory competitions and enjoys research about communication in relationships .JImmecha is a graduate teaching assistant for Human communication. Her students and peers are her motivation to continue to use her voice to leave legacy for generations. She has plans on opening a nonprofit mentoring organization that exposes young woman to traveling around the world.

Mark Errol

Mark Errol is a Lecturer at Valdosta State University in the Department of Art & Design. He teaches Ceramics, 3D Design and parts of the Senior Capstone courses for graduating art majors. He is also the co-owner of Plough Gallery in Tifton GA which specializes in high-end craft and fine art with an emphasis on ceramics. As a potter and artist, Mark has exhibited both nationally and internationally, has had his work published in Ceramics Monthly as well as Studio Potter and has taught workshops at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg TN

Melissa Pihos

Melissa Pihos began dancing at a very young age and has been performing professionally for over 25 years. She has performed all over the United States. Her film work has screened in several film festivals across the country and her choreography has been performed internationally. She has danced for Flatlands Dance Theatre, Larry Keigwin, Van Dyke Dance Group, John Gamble Dance Theatre and Sidelong Dance Company. She has also performed in works by Martha Graham and Twyla Tharp.She is an award-winning filmmaker and is currently touring her work, PIHOS A Moving Biography as Alzheimer’s disease awareness events. PIHOS A Moving Biography is a documentary dance/film performance that explores the life of her father, NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver, Pete Pihos and his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The work has toured to Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Lubbock, TX, Philadelphia, New York City, Valdosta, GA and Santa Fe. She has co-written and published an interactive digital dance textbook, called Dance and Culture with Associate Professor at Florida Southern College, Erin LaSala Phillips.Melissa has also worked with NFL Films on a feature titled, NFL Films Presents, Remembering Forgotten Heroes, which was about her Dad’s story and her journey to uncover it.Pihos holds an MFA in Choreography/Dance from UNC-Greensboro and a BA in Biology. She is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Valdosta State University. Her previous dance faculty appointments include UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Charlotte, High Point University and Salem College

Mirakal Jackson

Mirakal Jackson is from the historical rebellious colony of Massachusetts. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art, and triple minored in Psychology, Entrepreneurship, and Aerospace Studies at Valdosta State University. Her art portfolio can be viewed on her company’s website: www.wimrt.com( Linked below). Additionally, she earned her Master of Public Administration concentration in Public Sector Management at VSU. She continues to unite her love for art and her community as a candidate in the Doctor of Education in Leadership program at VSU. Jackson’s commitment to academic, creative, and service excellence has resulted in many achievements. Her secret to personal, professional, and academic success will be discussed in her presentation today. She enjoys spending time with her partner, painting shoes, and playing chess in her free time. She takes pride in being a scholar, a feminist, a catalyst, and an artist.

Njeri Prigle

Dr. Njeri Pringle published author and recent graduate of the Doctorate of Education (Leadership) and held a Bachelor’s of Sociology and Anthropology and a Masters of Educational Leadership from Valdosta State University along with Associates of Sciences in (Sociology, Psychology, Mathematics, and Computer Science) from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. She also is a mathematic educator who loves to aid her students in challenging fear to make stronger connections with themselves, peers, teachers, and content.

Ryan Dixon

Ryan Dixon is a school counselor at Pine Grove Middle School. His primary interest is helping students to hone personal strengths such as motivation and resiliency to meet future goals. Spending the majority of my career working with youth facing difficult circumstances including homelessness, mental health, poverty, and family instability, he is driven by the belief in the transformative power of education to instill hope and confidence and illuminate the path forward. He was honored to be named Lowndes County Schools District Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022.

Sean Lennon

Sean Lennon is a professor in the Teacher Education Department, Dewar School of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. He earned his terminal degree in 2006 from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), after teaching for ten years as a public middle and high school Social Studies teacher. His research is on constructs related/correlated to critical thinking and controversy, including a multi-discipline and practical use development for educators in classroom settings. He is a two-time winner of the Fulbright Specialist Award. He is a published author.

Zackary Price

Zackary Price is a student here at VSU. He is currently in the process of completing his second undergraduate degree in Piano, as well as simultaneously finishing his first master’s degree in Theology. In the midst of these certifications, he is also in the process of working toward his ordination through the Center for Spiritual Awareness in Lakemont, Georgia. After he completes these degrees and certifications, his plan is to conclude this line of study with a master’s in music therapy. He began working as a Clinical Chaplain in 2016, but recently took a hiatus to complete these graduate studies. Zack was involved in a severe automobile accident at the age of 12. During this incident he had what is commonly referred to as a Near-Death Experience. This was the inciting incident that propelled him onto the professional path of Spiritual Care, upon which he is now traveling. His goal is to help his patients to navigate through the experience of suffering, and to help them to cultivate and to establish life- enhancing meaning at the end of their journey. On a broader level, he wants to help change our cultural beliefs about death, in order to positively influence how we experience life on earth.