Theme: RE

TEDxPaloAltoCollege is coming back this Fall! This year’s theme is “RE”. We believe that after a year and half of this pandemic, with its countless hardships, it’s time to RE -

RE-IMAGINE
RE-START
RE-FRAME
RE-FRESH
RE-IGNITE

This year’s event will feature speakers and performers from the PAC & Southside Community. We’ve decided to offer a hyper-local event to honor and enrich our beloved Southside San Antonio!

Palo Alto College Performing Arts Center
1400 W Villaret Blvd
San Antonio, Texas, 78224
United States

Adriana White

Adriana White is an autistic librarian, former special education teacher, and children’s book writer. After being diagnosed with autism and anxiety in her 30s, Adriana now advocates for more inclusive schools and libraries. Her writing on neurodiversity and mental health in children’s books has appeared in KQED’s MindShift and We Need Diverse Books, and she advises educators and librarians about the importance of these books through workshops and presentations. Adriana has a Master’s in Education with a specialization in Special Education, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science with a certificate in Storytelling. She is a staff editor for the website A Novel Mind, and writes a bimonthly column for Geek Club Books.

Alberto Crane

Alberto Crane is an American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pioneer, World Champion, UFC Veteran, Author and Podcaster. He was Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2012 – told by doctors he would probably end up in a wheelchair. Instead he was able to heal himself through a lifestyle change, involving movement, physical exercise, nutrition, lifestyle and he is living his best life. Alberto now dedicates his life to sharing this “health-first” approach and is the CEO of TACFIT whose mantra is “The Worlds Smartest Workout” with a mission to change a billion lives.

Andrew Anguiano

Andrew M. Anguiano is the CEO and Co-Founder of Southside Craft Soda. The San Antonio based craft soda company launched its first beverage, TexaCola, in 2019 and immediately found itself in over 150 H-E-B’s and all eleven Central Market’s throughout Texas. Under Anguiano’s leadership, the company introduced two new products in 2020 and in 2021 brought to market a Root Beer that incorporates mesquite bean. Recently, the company was selected by National Public Radio’s Planet Money to produce a special edition soda that gave the brand national exposure. A portion of the sale benefits National Public Radio. Andrew has served on many boards and commissions, including the City of San Antonio’s Arts Board, Zoning Commission and the Board of Directors of Port San Antonio. As a member of Port San Antonio, he was part of significant transitions that propelled the former Air Force base to invest heavily in cyber. As a result, that early groundwork, Port San Antonio has built two tech buildings and will be opening a $60 million-dollar E-Sports Arena and innovation center. He is a graduate of Texas State University, a proud Southsider (Harlandale Class of 1995), a multi-generational Texan, the husband of Marcie, the father of Natalie, Andres and Winter and the handler of the family dog Pebbles.

Cristina Santiago

Cristina Santiago, often called Tintin by close friends, was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico – but don’t let that fool you! She loves to call herself a woman of the world. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, she studied medicine at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and finished up in San Antonio, Texas Cristina’s self-proclaimed goal in life is to break the stigma against mental health issues, through the use of creative outlets. In 2018, she was able to fundraise and create a photography exhibition called “Lo invisible no es tan invisible”, which translates to What’s Invisible Is Not That Invisible. The exhibition was filled with photographs that represented different mental health disorders and stories from her friends that explained what it meant to live with these disorders. This safe space was created to respond to the lack of awareness and conversation she saw among her peers as a medical student. Besides helping to raise awareness about mental health disorders in her community, Cristina loves dancing, exploring museums, reading, writing, listening to music… the list is endless. Filled with vibrancy and passion, she wishes to use everything she has to make the world a better place.

Eddie Brickerson

Eddie Brickerson is a modern-day renaissance man. A consummate entrepreneur who utilizes his talents to inspire excellence and encourage others that the impossible is possible. From the gritty streets of Detroit, Mi, Columbus, Ohio, and San Antonio, Texas, Eddie grew up as one of seven boys struggling with the perils of the ghetto. Through hardship he found music and the arts as a form of escape and reconciliation. His passion for writing led him to pursue his calling as a performer despite the innumerable odds he faced, ultimately placing him before industry great David Sonenberg known for developing such talents as The Fugees, The Black-Eyed Peas, John Legend, and Lauryn Hill among others. Impressed by his talent and drive, Sonenberg signed Eddie as one of the key contributors of the R&B group Fatty Koo. After enjoying success with their hit realty tv show Blowin’ Up: Fatty Koo featured on BET and released their debut Album, House of Fatty Koo via Sony/Columbia Records. Their hit single, “Bounce” can be heard in movies such as Fat Albert and Like Mike 2. Eddie has since embarked on a career behind the scenes collaborating with the likes of Nipsey Hussle, Timbaland, Madonna, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, and even international NBA superstar Tony Parker to name a few. Eddie’s zeal for the arts led him to create BriQ Media Group LLC dba Fly Underdog, serving as founder/CEO. Eddie graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing Magna Cum Laude. He earned his MBA from the University of Memphis and is currently pursuing his PhD in Leadership studies at Our Lady of the Lake University. In addition, he is an Adjunct Professor for the Alamo Colleges teaching Principles of Marketing and Customer Relationship Management at Palo Alto College.

Eric Rubio

Officer Eric Rubio started Law Enforcement September 2005 with the Ector County Sheriff’s Office. He was an intake officer, Special Operations Response Team Leader, and patrol Deputy. He accepted a job at the Odessa Police Department to further advance his career and experience. He started June 2008 and while he was employed with Odessa Police Department, he received a promotion to the rank of Corporal and became a certified Defense Tactics Instructor. Rubio has been awarded a Chief’s Commendation of Merit and Letters of Accommodation for successful Narcotic and Burglary Investigations. He later accepted a job at the University Of Texas System Police Department and is employed there at present day. In his career with The University of Texas, he has received his Master’s Peace Officer License, Field Training Officer Certification, and awards for police officer of the year. He is passionate about training new police officers who have no experience in the field of Law Enforcement. In addition, Rubio is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and currently holds the rank of Blue Belt. As an Field Training Officer he encourages all officers to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because, he believes, it helps people build confidence within themselves and teaches them how to safely handle a combative situation with minimal to zero injuries to either party.

Judith Rendon

Dr. Judith Rendon (Pharm.D.) is a first generation immigrant raised in the southside of San Antonio and proud graduate of Harlandale ISD where she graduated valedictorian. Rendon received the Bill and Melinda Gates full academic scholarship and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned two bachelor degrees and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. After graduation, Rendon completed a post-graduate pharmacy residency program with CHRISTUS and is currently employed as a clinical pharmacist with Steward at Texas Vista Medical Center. Rendon is committed to giving back to the community that has helped shape her. She cofounded an educational nonprofit named Building A Purpose. Rendon married her high school sweetheart and is a mother to two beautiful daughters, one three-year old and one on the way.