Theme: Southern Moment.um

Come be a part of the TEN YEAR anniversary of TEDxSavannah and experience a daylong event created to stimulate dialogue through engaging talks and session breaks, designed to give individuals and organizations in Savannah a platform to meet, share ideas and collaborate. This year's thought-provoking speakers will offer their unique perspectives on our theme.

Yamacraw Center for the Performing Arts
649 W. Jones St.
Savannah, Georgia, 31401
United States

Blake Rushing

Blake Rushing is a full-time community activist following a 10-year career in ministry. In 2018, she came out as transgender and started her life over. Her goal is to advance the quality of life for people everywhere.

Caleb Brown

Caleb Brown is a studio artist specializing in portraits for clients including a former U.S. President, a Grammy winner, bestselling authors, world-renowned entertainers and professional athletes. While incorporating a realistic painting approach, his work offers a unique perspective on the human form.

Faith M. Parks

Fayth Parks is a psychologist, writer and teacher who is an expert on healing traditions. She teaches at the university level, has been published in many formats and lectures widely on the subject of finding pathways to greater well-being.

Fayth M. Parks

Fayth Parks is a psychologist, writer and teacher who is an expert on healing traditions. She teaches at the university level, has been published in many formats and lectures widely on the subject of finding pathways to greater well-being.

Grace Sotomayor-Mantri

Grace Sotomayor-Mantri is a teacher at St. Andrew’s School in Savannah, Georgia who came with her family at a young age to the United States, spending her formative years in Richmond Hill, Georgia. After graduating college, she taught English and Spanish in Poland for two and a half years.

Greg Parker

Greg Parker is the founder and CEO of Parker’s, overseeing more than 57 award-winning convenience stores throughout Georgia and South Carolina. He’s won numerous awards for his business acumen, community service and philanthropy throughout the region and beyond.

Harrison Scott Key

Harrison Scott Key is the author of Congratulations, Who Are You Again? and The World's Largest Man: A Memoir, winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. His nonfiction has appeared in The Best American Travel Writing, The New York Times and Oxford American. He is a frequent speaker at book festivals, universities and conferences around the country and lives in Savannah, Georgia with his wife and children.

Heather Joesting

Heather Joesting is the Senior Scientist of the Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah, Georgia. She was introduced to aquaponics while researching water remediation at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory of the University of Southern Mississippi.

Jalin Alexander Graham

Jalin Alexander Graham is currently a student at Savannah Arts Academy, with plans to become a professional violist in a world-renowned symphony orchestra one day. He became interested in music at the age of 11 while studying with the Oglethorpe Orchestra in Savannah. He has performed with many orchestras and also at The Kennedy Center.

Jessica McBride

Jessica McBride is an educator with a 25-year career spanning teaching from elementary to graduate school. She founded the Imani Dance Program for Youth Development, a nonprofit that teaches adolescents self-esteem through the performing arts and is the author of several books.

Josua Rine

Josua Rine is a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor who has devoted most of his practice to helping individuals experiencing both severe mental illness and homelessness. He is also the Director of Operations for Union Mission in Savannah, Georgia and previously served as a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army.

Kim Michael Polote

Kim Michael Polote is an American Traditions Gold medal winner who travels around the world singing and serving as an inspirational speaker. She is also an artist in residence in the music department at Thomas Heyward Academy in Ridgeland, South Carolina.

Luke Geiger

Luke Geiger is an 18-year-old student from Palm Bay, Florida whose dream is to work as a neuroscience research physician. He’s an (almost!) straight-A student who recently won Second Place at 2019 Florida State Science and Engineering Fair. He’s headed to Princeton University in the fall.

Nola Blackwood:

Nola Blackwood is a scholar, educator and museum professional with two decades of experience looking closely at art and architecture around the world. She works with several historic houses and gardens in the city, serving as a consultant, interpreter and advocate for nuanced historical narratives. She also runs an art appraisal and design firm.

Patt Gunn

Patt Gunn is a “daughter of the soul” of Savannah and a Gullah Geechee Master Storyteller for over 25 years. She is the CEO of Underground Tours of Savannah and the Founder and Artistic Director of The Saltwata Players, a local folk art performance group.

Srikankth Raviprasad

Srikanth Raviprasad works at Gulfstream Aerospace as a Stress Analysis Engineer and is a diversity and inclusion ambassador. He is also the Director of Products and Services at ARISE Impact, a disability non-profit startup working to empower individuals with disabilities through education.

Srikanth Raviprasad

Srikanth Raviprasad works at Gulfstream Aerospace as a Stress Analysis Engineer and is a diversity and inclusion ambassador. He is also the Director of Products and Services at ARISE Impact, a disability non-profit startup working to empower individuals with disabilities through education.

Tony Foy

Tony Foy is a Savannah-native and educator with 11 years in the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools System. He is also the founder and director of Educate Savannah, Inc.

Truck Carlson

Truck Carlson is a retired military veteran with 30+ years of service who has lived all over the world and now calls the South home. He works for the Savannah Riverkeeper, leading the Veterans for Clean Water program.

Urban Mentoring Academy

Urban Mentoring Academy (UMA) is a non-profit corporation whose primary goal is to provide kids from 6th to 12th grade in Savannah, GA with the opportunity to learn skilled trades that are not taught in schools anymore, due to lack of funding. UMA also provides tutoring and weekly life skill lectures based upon a shared curriculum from partnering mentoring organizations.

Wayne Willcox

Wayne Willcox is the Police Chief and Director of Public Safety at Savannah Technical College, following many years in law enforcement and cybersecurity. He has been recognized with a number of awards including the Georgia Governor’s Public Safety Award.