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).

Antilles School - Prior Jollek Hall
7280 Frenchman's Bay #16-1
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, U.S., 00802
United States

Alanna John

Educator

Alanna John is the founder and president of IAB, Inc.- a non-profit organization on the island of St. Thomas for young women between the ages of 12-26. The mission of the organization is to "Foster positive self-image in young women and encourage initiatives through proactive incentives." After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Design and a Master’s Degree in a track of Arts and Entertainment Management, Alanna is currently pursuing a career as a Special Events Producer. She believes that "life has a way of testing your abilities by throwing adversities your way, if you are determined you can achieve anything."

Claire McFarlane

Activist

Claire McFarlane is a South-African born Australian and founder of Footsteps To Inspire. She is currently on a mission to run over 3000 kilometres of beach across 184 countries to support survivors of sexual violence. It is a world first, both as an expedition and social cause. Claire knows how hard it is to be a survivor because she is one. Through peaceful outreach and sharing her own personal story, Claire is fast becoming a voice of hope and inspiration to many. She will be running in St Thomas on Sunday 16 July.

Darren Brin

Entertainer

Darren "Buttahman" Brin Became one of entertainment's "movers and shakers" after leaving his birth place of St. Thomas, USVI. After graduating from Morgan State University, he took an internship at the local radio station WERQ and worked his way to the top receiving his name "Buttahman" due to his over usage of the word "Buttah" to describe everything when on the radio. His career has spanned from MTV Jams, to hosting the first nationally televised hip hop game show "Hoodfab," to Director for Music & Development at BET Networks and now to comedy. Buttahman has performed in such notable comedy clubs as The Comedy Store, Inside Jokes, and Comedy Union and has made comedic appearances on a variety for radio, internet, and TV programs.

Joanne Simon-Walters

Leader

Joanne Simon-Walters is a resourceful leader with 20 years progressive management experience in financial services, information technology, healthcare consulting, education, and human resources. Joanne has earned degrees in finance and technology management and is currently pursuing her PhD in Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change at the University of the Virgin Islands. Joanne is the author of 3 HR certification preparation manuals and currently works in an HR leadership position locally. Joanne was born and raised in St. Thomas to Antiguan parents and is a wife and mother to a 9 year old son and 5 year old daughter.

Kristin Grimes

Research Assistant Professor of Watershed Ecology

Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes is a Research Assistant Professor of Watershed Ecology at the Center for Marine & Environmental Studies at the University of the Virgin Islands and is actively engaged in community outreach, most recently on the topic of marine debris. She is also the Director for the Virgin Islands Water Resources Research Institute which is a network of 54 federal- and state-funded institutes across the United States dedicated to water resource issues and education; in this role, she is 1 of 7 women directors. She is the project lead for 1 of 37 projects funded in 2016 by the National Science Foundation through its Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) Program. Dr. Grimes obtained her Ph.D. in Ecology & Environmental Sciences, M.S. in Marine Biology, and M.S. in Marine Policy, from the University of Maine, Orono, ME and B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Middlebury College, Mid

Nicolas Drayton

Assistant Director of the Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR)

Nicolas C. Drayton is the Assistant Director of the Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR) at the University of the Virgin Islands. He holds a Master's degree in Coastal Biology from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and a Master's in Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State. In his spare time, Nick teaches Creative Thinking and Creative problem Solving to high school and university students, and facilitates similar sessions for individuals and groups.

Ryan Heiob

Technology

Ryan Heiob, originally from Michigan, Ryan moved to the Virgin Islands in 2008. Ryan has worked in all fields of Technology over the past 17 years and believes in continuous education to keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape. His main focus is now Internet Security and how we can protect our privacy by education and being aware of the new threats that we’re facing.

Viktor Brandtneris

Marine Biologist

Viktor Brandtneris Is a marine biologist and Technical Diver at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Center for Marine & Environmental Studies. Before moving to St. Thomas, he worked as part of a research team on the remote Isla Contadora- a Panamanian island on the Pearl Islands archipelago. His time on Isla Contadora was difficult and life changing in a way that has shaped his perspective on himself and his mission in the world today. Since 2010, Viktor has been part of a team of researchers at UVI studying magnificent mesophotic coral reefs along the south side of St. Thomas. These deep water reefs, occurring between 100 feet to 230 feet, were largely unexplored by scientists despite the fact that coral reefs have been extensively studied in the region for the past 30 years. Viktor is working to document and preserve these deep reefs which already show sign of damage.