Theme: CREATE

THE BACKDROP
The King-Lincoln Bronzeville District is a historically African American area in Columbus, Ohio. Originally known as Bronzeville by the residents of the community, it was rebranded as the King-Lincoln District by former Mayor Michael B. Coleman in hopes of revitalizing and highlighting the historical significance of the district. Home to the historic Lincoln Theater and the King Arts Complex, this near east side neighborhood was the heart of an affluent African-American business and entertainment district in the 1930s and ‘40s. The name TEDx King-Lincoln Bronzeville commemorates the history and contemporary vibracy of the area.

Although there are many great TEDx events in the midwest there aren’t any that are intentional about pushing to the surface the ideas, narratives and hard work everyday diverse people are creating, sharing and living to make their neighborhood a better place. Our goal is to highlight the unique and creative lives of this diverse neighborhood and show how their experiences connect to national and global narratives and solutions.

Held at the home of the Tigers, East High School provides a perfect venue as a heart of this neighborhood. Live speakers will include physicians, researchers, and creative activists, such as Dr. Deena Chisolm of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dr. Carlotta Penn of The Ohio State University, Carnell Willoughby of Willowbeez SoulVeg, and Sheri Neale of Maroon Arts Group (MAG) respectively. With CREATE as the theme, TEDxKLB will prove that a neighborhood’s history is not destined to be lost in the midst of gentrification and that culturally-focused creative placemaking can be led by neighbors. This trailblazing event will demonstrate how this neighborhood is a microcosm of innovation that can be replicated across the country and the world.

OUR AUDIENCE
The event will cater to King-Lincoln residents and frequent visitors of the area. Our attendees are parents, educators, entrepreneurs, visual artists, performers, and business owners. Our audience is also global with the incomparable reach of the TEDx platform.

Since the beginning of the TEDx program in 2009, nearly 15,000 events have been held in every corner of the globe. And now, a new TEDx milestone has been reached: one billion views of TEDx Talks.

East High School
1500 E Broad St
Columbus, Ohio, 43205
United States

Carlotta Penn

Educator and Daydreamer

Carnell Willoughby

Culinary Activist

Chante Meadows

Counselor and Therapist

Deena Chisolm

Public Health Researcher

Harrison Poku-Yeboah

Community Facilitator

Jessica Roach

Reproductive Justice Advocate

Kimberly Brazwell

Trauma-informed social justice advocate

Krate Digga

DJ and music producer

Maroon Arts Group (MAG)

Community Arts Organization

The Maroon Arts Group (MAG) is a collective of creatives who have galvanized to develop and provide a platform for conscious art centered around the preservation and promotion of cultures of African descent. As a result of being turned away from local theaters that promote

Shavonda Johnson

Social Worker

Sheri Neale

Community Arts Collaborator

Stephen Spottswood

Violinist

Toni Smith

Landmarks Conservationist

Dr. Toni Shorter Smith works to cultivate and preserve African American culture of the Near East Side of Columbus. From the Opera Columbus Outreach position where she shepherded commissioned Black opera Vanqui to completion, to the King Arts Complex Development Director position where her grant awards included the largest ever for Summer Camp, Smith’s work often connects her to the grass roots of the community. A native of Columbus, Smith recalls the places and spaces that underpinned the thriving Black community of her childhood that was economically viable and culturally remarkable. Yet many of the built structures that contributed to the safe, vibrant Black community are being or have already been erased. An Adjunct Professor at Columbus State Community College, Smith chairs the James Preston Poindexter Foundation, a non-profit partnering with Ohio History Connection to develop two remaining historic Poindexter Village public housing buildings into a museum and cultural center.