Theme: The Power of Positivity

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).

Walter Payton College Prep
1034 N Wells St
Chicago, Illinois, 60618
United States

Antwann Green

Graduate of Growing Home

Antwann Green is a 2015 Growing Home graduate, who now works for DMK Express Trucking Company, and will be starting his own trucking company, TT&J Transport, in April of 2018. Mr. Green holds a CDL license, forklift certification, custodial maintenance certificate, and ServSafe certification in addition to being a Growing Home graduate. Mr. Green believes he can provide hope and inspiration to others that may be facing adversity in their life. Mr. Green says he does what he does because he wants to be a positive example for others, to show others that you can overcome, that you can succeed, you can be the best you can be, and all you have to do is face your fears. Mr. Green works to provide a life for himself, his wife, and his beautiful daughter, and to inspire anyone that is struggling with life’s challenges. Mr. Green is excited to be sharing his outlook on the power of positivity today.

Jeff Poole

Head of Workshop at The Second City

Jeff Poole is a University of Arkansas alum and graduate of The Second City Training Center's writing, conservatory, and directing program. He currently serves as the Program Head for the Second City Training Center Kids and Teen program. Jeff was the assistant director to Matt Hovde for the Second CIty's 31st e.t.c.revue, Campaign Supernova, and the 98th Mainstage revue, Spoiler Alert: Everyone Dies. He has directed, performed, or taught workshops at The Second City, iO, The Playground, Loyola University, The Alliance Theater in Atlanta, and countless school and universities across America. He would like to thank his wife, Nicole, for supporting him through it all.

Mià Bahr

Aspiring Data Scientist

Mià Bahr, a senior at Walter Payton, is an aspiring data scientist currently researching the impact of intergovernmental organizations on interstate conflict.

Noreen Russo

Manager of the Junior Board of Catholic Charities

Noreen Russo is currently the Manager of the Junior Board of Catholic Charities. The Junior Board is an organization of adults committed to promoting the compassionate works of Catholic Charities and becoming leaders in the church through effective community action, including volunteer service, social fundraising, and theological exploration. She has had many roles at Catholic Charities including; Director of the Homelessness Prevention Call Center (HPCC), Program Director of the HPCC, Supervisor for the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Helpline.

Sybil Derrible

Associate Professor of Sustainable Infrastructure Systems in the Department of Civil and Materials Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Sybil Derrible is an associate professor of Sustainable Infrastructure Systems in the Department of Civil and Materials Engineering, a research associate professor at the Institute for Environmental Science and Policy, and the director of the Complex and Sustainable Urban Networks (CSUN) laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His research is at the nexus of civil engineering, urban metabolism, data science and complexity science to redefine how cities are planned, designed, and built for smart, sustainable, and resilient urban systems. In 2016, he received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his work, and he obtained his PhD from the University of Toronto in 2010. Learn more his research at csun.uic.edu and the Department of Civil and Materials Engineering at UIC at www.cme.uic.edu.