Theme: CONNECT

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDxColePark is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

Cole Park in Corpus Christi, Texas
2600 Ocean Dr
Corpus Christi, Texas, 78404
United States

Aislynn Campbell

Garden and Wellness Consultant

Aislynn Campbell has been growing food on family land, in community gardens, and in her own backyard for over three decades honing her hands-on expertise while developing edible, 100% organic gardens in South Texas. A communication professional with a background in agriculture, non-profit management, pediatric and senior health, Aislynn recognized South Texas’ need for access to affordable, locally-grown food and created the Corpus Christi Downtown Farmers’ Market in 2012. One year later, she founded GROW Local South Texas, a non-profit organization that provides affordable access to nutrient-dense food and promotes a healthy lifestyle, to develop and cultivate South Texas’ local food system. Throughout Texas, Aislynn is a well-respected speaker and local food advocate with a focus on marketing, edible landscape, seed-to-plate nutrition, social entrepreneurship, and community leadership.

Belkis Clarke-Mitcham

Owner at Belkis Clarke LLC

Belkis is a captivating, insightful Communication Teacher, Empowerment Expert, Catalytic Life Coach, and International Speaker. Belkis was born on the island of St. Kitts but her parents later moved to St. Maarten. Growing up, she learned values such as hard work, tenacity, resilience, discipline, and commitment. Belkis applied these to her life and eventually attended the University of the Southern Caribbean, graduating summa cum laude and valedictorian with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She went on to get her master’s in Human Communication. Belkis teaches women globally how to rescue themselves by overcoming past hurt and trauma and teaching the tools and strategies for online financial success. A sought-after speaker and author Belkis has spoken to audiences ranging from corporate, non-profit, personal development seminars, and workshops to audiences across the Caribbean, The United States, and Canada.

Diana Walker

Entrepreneur

Diana Cordova Walker is a Communication professional whose primary focus is to strengthen interpersonal relationships in couples and families. She is originally from La Paz, Bolivia, and has been living in the United States for 20 years. Her background is in international relations and military resilience. She is happily married to her husband, Luke. Diana is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Interpersonal Communication at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Isaac Garza

Senior Student at Veterans Memorial High School

Greetings, my name is Isaac Garza and I'm currently a senior in high school. I consider myself to be immensely curious about the world around me, as well as passionate about helping others. I plan to double major in Astrophysics and Biochemistry, then further my academic career in medical school. My favorite colors are grey and blue, I was born and raised in Corpus Christi and love my city. Overall my main objective in life is too look back and know that I made a lasting change in the world for the better.

Lorena Parada-Valdes

Chief Immersion Officer at Passport2Fluency

Lorena Parada-Valdes is co-founder and Chief Immersion Officer at Passport2Fluency, which provides online foreign language instruction, based out of Corpus Christi, Texas. Fluent in six languages, Lorena is a Federally Certified Court Interpreter through the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and a Nationally Certified Court Interpreter and Translator through the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators. She has over twenty years of experience in translation, interpretation, foreign language instruction and cross-cultural training, working in overseas locations in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, as well as in Alaska and Guam. Lorena’s passion for language learning and experiencing new cultures began early in childhood and have been a driving force throughout her life. She has served as a public speaker for many years, helping individuals and organizations to discover new global opportunities for growth.

Maria Perez

Community Relations Specialist at Council on Alcohol + Drug Abuse

Maria Perez is the Community Relations Specialist at The Council on Alcohol + Drug Abuse in Corpus Christi, TX. She is also a Steering Committee Member for The Corpus Christi 7 Day Film Festival, a member of the Nueces County Opioid Taskforce, volunteers with several local organizations, and was a finalist for The Bend Magazine’s H.E.R event in 2019. She is an advocate for civic involvement and addiction recovery within the community and works towards bettering her hometown through this.

Michelle Eccellente Stevenson

Founder, Cultivate Caring / Artist, MES Studio Art

Born in West Germany to a military family, Michelle Eccellente Stevenson's earliest memories involve needing to observe, adapt, and navigate her ever-changing relationships to people and places. Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Political Science and Sociology from Colorado State University where she was chosen as the Keynote Student Speaker for her university graduation. Michelle’s career was spent in the training and development sector, working for major corporations as an educator. Teaching others, speaking in front of others, is Michelle’s calling. Later on, she discovered her artistic side and she is currently an abstract artist and writer. Clients purchase Michelle’s work because it is bold, expressive, speaks to them, and makes them feel something. Michelle is also the founder of “Cultivate Caring,” a non-profit, online community-building initiative with the goal of helping others learn to cultivate more caring about themselves, others, and the world.

Rudy Garcia

Revolve One Podcaster

Rudy Garcia is a native of Corpus Christi, Tx, and one half of the founding duo of the Revolve One Podcast. Rudy decided to co-create the podcast to engender a platform where diverse voices and generally uncommon subjects could easily come together. As a graduate with a B.A. & Sc. in Speech Communications (TAMUK), he cultivates clarity through being such an avid communicator. While he may present a more soft-spoken demeanor compared to his sister Crystal, his words are no less eloquent and profound. As a self-described political nerd, news junkie, and student of leadership, he seeks to build bridges that bring communities of diverse thought and creed in connection with each other through every podcast episode. Rudy is an enthusiast of fostering community and currently resides in Corpus Christi with his wife and 5-year-old daughter. When he isn’t recording, he enjoys working out or reading on topics such as meditation, leadership, and empathy.

Tammy Francis

Educator, Strategist, and Consultant, Catalyst 4 Change Global

Dr. Tammy Francis is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas. Affectionately called Dr. Tammy, The Catalyst, she is an edupreneur. She is the owner and CEO of Catalyst 4 Change Global, LLC, Catalyst 4 Change Travel, T. F. Donaldson Global Enterprises, LLC, and Catalyst 4 Change Apparel. She is also the founder of the Catalyst 4 Change Global Community. She is an Assistant Professor who is also a Life Strategist, Literacy Educator and Consultant, Educational Researcher, Speaker, Author, and Traveler. She supports you on your journey toward more and manifesting more. She helps those who are stuck or lack the knowledge or strategies to move in the direction of MORE and prepare for what’s next by providing them with the tools and strategies needed to plan and live on purpose in their life and/or business.

Tim Tate

Licensed Professional Counselor

I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. I became a hairstylist before going back to school at the age of 33 to receive a BA in Sociology and an MS in Counseling Education. I was inspired to major in a helping field after witnessing the events of September 11, 2001. I followed in the footsteps of one of my greatest teachers who was a hairstylist/licensed counselor. I decided to specialize in working with clients experiencing depression and anxiety after my own experience with mental illness. I recovered from three major depressions and have prevented relapse using everything I have learned along the way. I'm currently in private practice alongside a team of psychiatrists and nurse practitioners. I enjoy books and movies about self-help and personal growth. I enjoy kayaking and practicing mindful meditation at Corpus Christi Bay. I have a cat and a dog named Waylon and Willis.