Theme: Build a Better Livingston Parish

Livingston Parish Library is excited to announce its first ever TEDx event. Join important voices from your community as they share big ideas. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Livingston Parish Library, Denham Springs Walker Branch
8101 US Highway 190
Denham Springs, Louisiana, 70754
United States

Amber Stuver

Data Analysis and EPO Scientist - LIGO

Amber Stuver is a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration that made the first direct detection of gravitational waves in 2015 and specializes in computational searches for gravitational waves in data collected by LIGO and other partnered detectors. When not performing her research, she also specializes in communicating the search and potential for gravitational waves to the public. She currently holds a dual appointment with Caltech as a Data Analysis and EPO Scientist at the LIGO Livingston Observatory and as an instructor of physics and astronomy at LSU. You can follow her on Twitter at @livingligo.

Celton Hayden

CEO CC's Coffee House

Celton, a native Texan, moved himself and his family to Louisiana in 2003. Having spent 16 years holding various roles with CC's Coffee House, he is now its CEO. Over the course of a career spanning nearly 30 years, he has developed a style of leadership and service to his community that truly sets him apart from others. The knowledge that creates the foundation for that leadership was provided by his wife Dana, his parents Celton Sr. and Virginia and the thousands of men and women that he has worked with and for during his lifetime. A passion to serve. A willingness to be led. The drive to succeed. He believes that these qualities are embodied in all of us. Celton seeks to tap into those traits and unlock the full potential of those around him with one goal in mind: leave the world around you better off because you were there.

Dawn Birdsong

Nonprofit Director - Mighty Moms

Dawn Birdsong is the Founder and Executive Director of Mighty Moms, a nonprofit organization based in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. Through monthly food pantries and their Full Tummy Project, Mighty Moms feeds thousands of families in the parish throughout the year.

Jay Labarre

CEO/President - Labarre Associates, Inc.

Jay has been a practicing architect since 1982 and founded Labarre Associates in 1984. Jay attended Louisiana State University where he received a B.A. in Architecture and a Bachelor of Construction Technology. Jay is also a licensed general contractor, a Certified Facility Manager, and a Sustainable Facility Professional. Jay is a member of the Livingston Chamber and is an Executive Board Member on the Livingston Economic Development Council Board of Directors. He is the past president of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the International Facilities Management Association and past Chairman of the American Institute of Architects Facility Management PIA.

John Cavalier

Owner Cavalier House Books

John Cavalier is a DSHS Yellow Jacket class of '02 and a Southeastern Lion class of '09. He is a lifelong resident of Livingston Parish with a proud sense of place and a firm commitment to his community. John is the owner of Cavalier House Books in the Denham Springs Antique Village. He is committed to the ideals of localism, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning and hopes to use those values to help arrest the problems of our post-flood community and to redefine them as opportunities.

Joni Smith

2017 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year

Joni Smith is a proud 7th grade Science teacher at Albany Middle School in Livingston Parish. She is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and has been teaching for 9 years. She was awarded as the 2016 LSTA Middle School Science Teacher of the Year and also the 2017 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year. She embarked on a journey to remove the negative labels from her students and replace them with positive ones. The students owned up to their identity and became leaders both in the classrooms and in their community. This small town teacher has a big vision to be a bold advocate for students no matter their background.

Julie Cantrell

New York Times Bestselling Author

Julie Cantrell is an award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling novelist whose work focuses on contemporary issues such as domestic violence, human trafficking, family dynamics, and faith. She is a speaker and teacher who is known to inspire readers to live their best life.

McHugh David

Associate Publisher - Livingston Parish News

J. McHugh David Jr. is the publisher and editor of the Livingston Parish News, Official Journal of Livingston Parish since 1898. To have a positive impact on his community, McHugh is part of the leadership team for the Rotary Club of Livingston Parish. He is engaged to Melanie Coker, and they are co-owners of Third Coast Realty Group, LLC.