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).

MartingroveCI
50 Winterton Drive
Toronto, Ontario, M9B 3G7
Canada

Anoshinie Muhundarajah

Dancer / Choreographer

Anoshinie Muhundarajah is a Dancer, Choreographer and Instructor based in Toronto. She is a trained Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical) and Bollywood dancer who continues to grow exploring and fusing other styles. She has been performing for over 10 years and has danced for artists from the South Asian music and film industry. Anoshinie was a finalist on Canada’s Got Talent with Broken Dance Performing Arts and went on a World Tour as a feature dancer for Lilly Singh performing in over 25 cities internationally. Anoshinie is also a huge advocate for using the arts and her love of dance to connect with people while inspiring and empowering communities globally. This led her to volunteer in Sri Lanka to teach dance in orphanages and women development centres. She believes that by continuing to use dance to guide, inspire and empower others then she is fulfilling her purpose.

Aysha Abdul

Student Speaker

Aysha grew up in India before coming to Canada. She is a Grade 11 student who enjoys school and art. She takes the TEDx stage with a driving inspiration to do something that leaves an impact on the world.

Braden Hill

Academic Consultant / Professional Speaker

Braden loves entrepreneurship, education and design thinking. His wide range of passions has influenced his career in education and the start-up world with his company ‘AdmitKit.’ AdmitKit works with many students, athletes and other international business partners to initiate conversations about change in education. Braden started his adventurous career with a move to Hawaii and then Australia. His goal was to learn how to surf. Braden decided on an unconventional path through university and self-discovery. His experience makes him relatable, his passions make him engaging and the way he integrates behavioural economics, design thinking and empathy into his work with students provides a refreshing perspective on higher education. His passion is to help find the perfect academic path for the new generation of leaders.

Carrick Felix

Former NBA Player / Motivational Speaker

When Carrick Felix stands in front of his audience as a motivational speaker, he begins by sharing the personal snapshots of his life. As a former NBA player, President and CEO and now, motivational speaker, Carrick Felix is a man of unquestionable character and spirit. He is renowned for his achievements on the court and for his track record off the court. Carrick inspires audiences by demonstrating what it means to beat the odds and encourages listeners to use teamwork to achieve their goals. Carrick's life has been characterized by incredible perseverance and great skill. From being bullied, teachers telling him he would never graduate high school or be able to go to college, being the manager on the freshman basketball team, becoming a young dad and being homeless, he managed to succeed while others predicted he would fail. He gave more, even when less would have been satisfactory. “All Heart” is the story of a young man guided by fierce determination.

James Esemu

Student Speaker

James Esemu is very well known throughout the school community for being outgoing, involved, and committed as a student and athlete. He is the MCI Book Club President and has a fondness for the writing of James Baldwin. James was born in Nigeria and has lived in the Cayman Islands. MCI is fortunate that he also pursues a love of volleyball. And, much to everyone’s benefit, he’s never afraid to speak his mind.

Mark Cueto

Student Speaker

Mark is a Grade 10 student at Martingrove and moved to Canada from the Philippines when young. He is very well known throughout the school community for being outgoing, extremely compassionate, and a poet at heart. Mark is inspired by Tupac Shakur and hopes to lift others with his own poetry. He shines as a lover of knowledge and truth.

Samra Zafar

International Speaker / Author of “A Good Wife”

After escaping a decade of abuse living as a child bride in a forced marriage in Canada, and sharing her story, Samra became a beacon of hope for many people facing exclusion, abuse, and gender-based violence. She now engages audiences around the world, speaking about collective resilience, authentic leadership, inclusive workplaces, youth, human rights, mental health and more. Samra graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master’s in Economics, earning herself the highest distinction and over a dozen awards and scholarships. Her book, A Good Wife was released in March 2019. Samra is also the founder of ‘Brave Beginnings’, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting abuse survivors in their journey to build a life of freedom. Her passion is to motivate and empower all people to believe in themselves – no matter their circumstances. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her two daughters and enjoys a rewarding corporate career.