Theme: "Me"lting Pot

We all come from different walks of life, carry with us different stories, burdens, and perspectives. It is as these differences intertwine, that we call our community today— a “melting pot”. The phrase has become a buzzword, for it encapsulates what has become of the blends and fusions of identities. While treasuring the innovation and exchange that such melting has unlocked, we hope to keep a light shed on individuality, celebrating the “me” that makes up the melting pot. We do not intend to challenge the notion that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Rather, we wholeheartedly believe that our potential is maximized if we better understand each individual who makes up the collective.

Being a part of the same college community, perhaps much of our identities overlap. Aspects of what being a student, athlete, artist, and more, may to varying extents resonate with each of us. However, with the theme of “ME”LTING POT this year, TEDxClaremont McKenna College hopes to highlight the uniqueness that may be masked by surface-level similarities and how they came to be. Whether you have felt unheard in the past or simply have a story you’d like to tell, we welcome you to share with us what makes you distinctly you amidst constants and changes.

Pickford Auditorium
888 N Columbia Avenue
Claremont, California, 91711
United States

Desmond Mantle

Desmond Mantle entered Claremont McKenna College with the Class of 2023 but graduated this past December with a double major in Government and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and a Computer Science sequence. He will be headed to law school this fall after working on an archaeological dig over the summer.

Emily Ortiz

Emily Ortiz is a junior at Claremont McKenna College majoring in Public Policy and with a keen interest in education. She is a mentor and advocate passionately dedicated to supporting younger students who share similar struggles as she has being a minority student.

Sam Bastien

Sam is a leadership development expert who helps people express themselves with clarity and authenticity. With a knack for building people up and helping them shine as their best selves, Sam is a proud Claremont McKenna College alumni (’11) thrilled to be sharing her stories with those around her.

Seiya Shirabe

Seiya Shirabe is an Economics and Engineering major from Claremont McKenna College Class of '25. For years, Seiya has been exploring what identity is and what it means to him. For that exact reason, he is very excited for the opportunity to speak at TEDx and share his realizations.

Theodore Siasat

Theodore is a junior at Claremont McKenna College majoring in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. As an aspiring social change maker, he firmly believes in the great potential of insights and innovations that can come from the intertwining of unique stories within diverse communities.

Zaid Al Zoubi

Zaid is a junior at Pomona College studying economics and media studies. His hometown, Jordan, is where he first discovered his love for acting and began his journey embracing his identity on and off set.