Theme: Break the Mold!

On Labor day weekend (Saturday, September 5th), TEDxAlief, the local and independent extension of the popular TED Talks series, will debut its first-ever conference at Coble Studios in Southwest Houston. The live virtual broadcast will kick off at 5:00 PM (CST).

Coble Studios
1000 West Oaks Mall, 112
Houston, Texas, 77082
United States

Constance Carter

Best Selling Author + CEO + Serial Entrepreneur

Constance Carter is a wealth activator, real estate maven and founder of Catalyst Real Estate Professionals, the largest African American owned real estate firm in California. An expert at coaching people to power, Constance’s career has been one bold move after the next. But it was her own bounce back from bankruptcy that opened her eyes to what she now knows is her destiny-driven mission— to empower and equip people to create the lives of their dreams. Known for her refreshing honesty, humor, and relatable advice, Constance walks her clients down a path paved with possibilities for amassing wealth. She is a captivating and unforgettable speaker who brings her wealth wisdom to stages across the country. She’s the author of several bestselling books and was featured in several publications and platforms, including Black Enterprise, Rolling Out Magazine, Fox and dozens more. While changing lives is her mission, her family is her passion.

Crux Conception

Author + Behavioral Profiler + Negotiator

"Crux resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has over 20 years of Law Enforcement (LEO), Criminal Profiling and teaching experience. Law Enforcement experience: •Homicide Detective •Criminal Profiler •Gang Unit Specialist Detective •Hostage Negotiator •Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer •School Resources Officer (SRO) •Five years as a Special Agent with the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND (DHS) Crux, now retired, worked as a Homicide Detective, Criminal Profiler and Hostage Negotiator with the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Police Dept. Teaching experience: Currently, Crux is an Adjunct Professor: •Psychology •Business Psychology •Social Media Psychology •Criminal Profiling •Criminal Behavior •Computer Psychology •Sociology (Group Dynamics) Education: •Bachelor of Science degree; Criminology (Ball State University, 1994). •Master’s degree; Forensic Psychology (Walden University, 2012). •Currently, a Ph.D. Candidate (Forensic Psychology), at Walden University"

Essi Bagheri

Author + Addiction and Trauma Coach

Child sexual assault victim. Boy soldier. Teen father. Adult recovering drug addict.This is a story of life – the way it knocks you down, lifts you up, and pulls you apart, makes you not want to breathe again. This is the story of Essi’s struggle to pick himself up against all adversity period.From a traumatic childhood to a boy soldier in the Revolutionary Guard, Essi Bagheri’s life is as fascinating and compelling, as it is dark and turbulent. 17 treatment centers, 29 detoxes,To become transformational mentor stop Fearing the Dark, that’s Where the Light Lives.

Judith Arnold

Innovator + Educator for Sustainable Development

Judith Arnold has shared life with children, families, and youth in 6 countries spanning over 35 years. She has vast experience in education models and ideals that “Break the Mold” of learning and teaching concepts and family dynamics. Judith’s unique story of working alongside her 6 children in Thailand for 25 years reflects a model of hope for families currently facing challenges while educating and parenting their children during this pandemic. Her true-life stories, swimming against the current and standing strong when faced with opposing and questionable standards offers novel perspectives and thought provoking challenges in how we are raising our next generation. She and her husband launched a non-profit: “The Destiny Portal” and she is working with a team to start programs in Sarasota FL to assist families facing challenges during the pandemic to “Inspire, Equip and Unleash” the strengths, unique qualities and abilities ‘buried’ within each individual.

Nike Famojuro

Time Management + Productivity Strategist

Nike Famojuro is a Time management /Productivity strategist for mom entrepreneurs. Her passion is to see moms evolve to living their best lives without sacrificing family time and dreams. Her approach involves simple and practical steps that meet each mom entrepreneur at their level. This shows moms ‘why didn’t I think of that’ ideas, keeps moms motivated and accountable so they can create the life they love. When she is not working with her clients, speaking, or facilitating a training, you can find her with her family and loved ones. She is the founder of MOMLEADER. She is also part of the JohnMaxwell team of coaches, speakers and a trainer and also a DISC Assessment Trainer.

Uchenna Umeh

Pediatrician + Author + Global Speaker

A former Lieutenant Colonel and commander in the US Air Force, Uchenna L. Umeh, MD is a mom, pediatrician, global speaker on youth suicide, bestselling author, and youth suicide activist. She is Nigerian-born, and the CEO of Teen Alive, and Dr. Lulu’s Youth Health Center, both dedicated to serving high-risk teens and suicide prevention. No stranger to suicidal ideations herself, she started speaking publicly about suicide prevention in 2018 after losing colleagues and a patient to suicide. Her mission is to end youth suicide globally through her work with at-risk youth, parents, and communities. She is a regular on media outlets, freelance-writer, podcaster (Suicide Pages with Dr. Lulu), blogger (Words by Black Butterfly) and parent coach. She has been recognized by the Texas Medical Association, Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), “Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission”, and the Texas State House of Representatives.

Vivian Elebiyo-Okojie

Food + Faith + Culture Conversationalist

Vivian Elebiyo-Okojie is a Food, Faith, and Culture Conversationalist, who uses her platform to share the art and philosophy on food, faith and culture. She is also an entrepreneur, inventor, author of over 10 books and the Creator of Designed Life. Vivian is the founder of Eleviv an idea and product development company and spends her spare time cooking up recipes at Vivys Lab. Vivian is a powerful and engaging speaker and has spoken at numerous events, universities, colleges, high schools, and on several platforms around the world. Vivian and her team at Designed Life are focused on transforming lives and businesses around the world through Designed Life Academy and the Idea Club, an incubator for those ready to take on the world. She has appeared in top media outlets like Bloomberg, Business Wire, Inc. Magazine, Impact Africa, Staars of Africa, Phenomenal African Woman Blog, Empowered Magazine, LadyBrielle, Sormag, Mimi Magazine, HCC Biz Connect, and more.