"When Pigs Fly" presents movers and shakers from the Wayne State University Community to create the first ever TEDxWayneStateU Conference. Students, alumni, and faculty will come together to share stories of how they pushed their limits and made 'Pigs Fly'. From medicine, to music, and from stylists to lawyers, TEDxWayneStateU brings the brightest minds together for an intellectually stimulating experience for audience and speakers alike.
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Amal Shah
Amal, a junior undergraduate student majoring in Finance and Information Systems Management, founded his own company with a group of friends. Having started a consulting firm focused on helping develop startups and small businesses around the greater Detroit area, he is passionate about entrepreneurship and getting students out of the classroom to act on their goals.Blake Bowman
Blake Bowman is a Corrective Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer. After graduating from Wayne State University in 2013, Blake now owns and operates his own personal training studio, GuerrillaZen Fitness. He also conducts an online coaching business through his YouTube channel.Claire-Marie Brisson
Claire-Marie is a Masters candidate in French language and literature. Having done extensive research on the role of French Literature during the Second World War, she has spent considerable time overseas, particularly in the South of France. She had also worked as a bilingual intern within the Canadian Senate in an office representing Montréal. Her love for the languages is what drives her career path.Elena Past
Elena Past, Associate Professor of Italian and Associate Chair of the Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Her research and teaching focus on modern and contemporary Italian literature and film, in particular crime fiction, the eco-noir, and ecocinema studies.M.L. Liebler
M. L. Liebler is a internationally known & widely published Detroit poet, professor, literary arts activist and arts organizer. Liebler has read and performed his work in Afghanistan, Palestine,Israel, Russia, China, France, UK, Macao, Italy, Germany, Spain, and most of the 50 States. Currently a senior lecturer at Wayne State University, Liebler aims to bring poetry and music together to explore universal themes.Richard Diggs
Richard Diggs is currently a first year law student at NYU and a Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault Scholar of Law in the AnBryce Scholarship Program. However, he is a true Detroiter at heart. Born and brought up in Detroit, he attended WSU for his undergraduate degree. He then deciding to take some time to go back to his community to teach in the very schools that gave him a chance at success.Yasmeen Bazzi
Our next speaker is Yasmeen Bazzi, a junior undergraduate student studying Electrical Engineering with a concentration in biomedical electronics. As the President of the Society of Women Engineers and a member of several different student organizations, Yasmeen hopes to show the world that female engineers are capable of leading and inspiring others.Organizing team
