Theme: Showtime: Chi✶Time

// Event Overview & Theme

There is a moment for every one of us when we must call upon our best: The moment the curtain opens, the spotlight shines, the clock runs down, the meeting begins, the bell tolls, the inning nears its end, or the phone call rings. In each of these moments, we must draw on courage, bravery, integrity, and the will to take a leap. Let's celebrate these moments, and do so with the vigor, love, pride, and boldness that we are as Chicagoans. Its showtime Chicago: It's Chi✶Time.

This year, TEDxChicago has arrived at its own curtain call moment: We have transformed the experience and the vision to be deeply focused on the richness of Chicago: Its people, its taste, its culture, and its pride. Chicago has a long list of incredible thought leaders, artists, and movement makers who give their hearts and minds to ideas greater than themselves, all the while catalyzing off of and within Chicago as a platform.

// The TEDxChicago Experience

Join us on Saturday, September 10th at the Harris Theater for talks from 8 amazing Chicagoans, a number of incredible performances, opportunities to engage the arts, delicious food and beverage from local artisans and chefs, and become part of this massive celebration of ideas about our shared future.

// Included in Every TEDxChicago Ticket

A ticket is all inclusive to the TEDxChicago experience. You’ll enjoy a full delicious dinner from an amazing local caterer, hosted beer and wine and other beverages, snacks and desserts from local artisans, 7 TEDxChicago talks and 3+ live performances from the TEDxChicago stage, and many opportunities to engage local art and fellow Chicagoans.

// Schedule

3:30 PM: Registration Happy Hour
4:30 PM: Session 1
6:15 PM: Dinner Party
7:15 PM: Session 2
8:30 PM: Celebration

Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 E Randolph St
Chicago, Illinois, 60601
United States

Christopher LeMark

Hip-Hop Artist, Mental Health Advocate

Christopher LeMark is a community-passionate organizer and the founder of Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health (CHHAMH 6453 NFP), a Chicago-based 501(c)3 charitable organization. They provide free individual and group therapy to those facing financial barriers, particularly in Black neighborhoods. LeMark’s donation-based coffee shop model funds the program, builds community and is a space of refuge for those in need of support. Hip-hop is intentionally infused into everything they do, from the beverage menu to the creatively curated events they host throughout the city. Hip-hop was LeMark’s saving grace and his own personal therapy.

Deepti Vempati

Author, Social Influencer, Reality TV Star on Netflix’s Love is Blind

Deepti is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, social influencer, and reality TV star best known for her leading role on Season 2 of the Netflix dating show, Love Is Blind. Fans from across the globe fell in love with Deepti for her authenticity, confidence and vulnerability. Her powerful words "I’m choosing myself" have become an empowerment motto for thousands of women. With over one million followers on social media, Deepti uses her platform to inspire others to find their voice and stand up for what they believe in. Deepti’s debut book I Choose Myself is available now on Amazon. IG: @lifewithdeeps ● @loveisblindnetflix The Chi✶City Chat is facilitated by Snigdha Dur, Founder & CEO of The Juggernaut, a premium publication and community that publishes smart takes and well-reported stories about South Asia and South Asians. IG: @snigdhasur ● @_thejuggernaut

Dr. Mesmin Destin

Social Psychologist

Mesmin Destin is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University in addition to a fellow of Northwestern’s Institute for Policy Research. In collaboration with his lab group, Dr. Destin uses experiments and other methods to investigate factors shaping the experiences and outcomes of students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. His work carries implications for institutions and the development of learning environments that recognize and leverage student strengths and identities in ways that support motivation, achievement, and well-being.

Dr. Prof. Manijeh Razeghi

Quantum Device Inventor

Manijeh Razeghi is the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the director and founder of the Center for Quantum Devices at Northwestern University. She is one of the leading scientists in the field of III-V semiconductor science and technology of quantum materials and devices. Her work has led to major advancements including some of the technologies which were at the core of the late 20th century optical fiber telecommunications boom. Her current motivation is to educate future generations, advance quantum semiconductor science and technology, and develop optoelectronic devices which span from ultraviolet to THz frequencies. This technology will impact all areas of human life, as well as improve the functionality of our bodies and minds. Some near term examples include development of fast and reliable chemical and biological agent sensors, portable water purification systems, high speed wireless communications, and space UV astronomy.

Dr. Suzet M. McKinney

Public Health Expert, Medical Executive, Innovator

Dr. Suzet M. McKinney is a public health expert, medical executive, thought leader, strategic thinker and nationally recognized expert in emergency preparedness and response. As Principal and Director of Life Sciences for Sterling Bay, Dr. McKinney oversees relationships with the scientific, academic, corporate, tech, and governmental sectors involved in the life sciences ecosystem. She also leads the strategy to expand Sterling Bay’s footprint in life sciences nationwide.

Ertharin Cousin

World Hunger Ambassador

Ertharin Cousin is the founder and CEO of Food Systems for the Future. Her career has spanned government, academia, and the private sector. She has served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program, and Chief Operating Officer of America’s Second Harvest (now Feeding America).

Jenn Freeman, Po'Chop

Performance Artist, Storyteller, Burlesque Performer

Chicago-based burlesque artist Jenn Freeman also known as Po’Chop uses elements of dance, storytelling, and striptease to create performances and inspire students and collaborators across the country. Po’Chop is the creator and author of the blogzine, The Brown Pages and has performed at the Brooklyn Museum in Brown Girls Burlesque’s Bodyspeak, and headlined shows in New Orleans, Minneapolis, St. Louis and New York. Po’Chop is a Board Member & Cast Member, for Jeezy’s Juke Joint, an all black burlesque revue. Po’Chop performs on Netflix’s Easy (Season 2), appears in music videos for songs by Jamila Woods and Mykele Deville, and creates and performs experimental dance films such as LITANY. Jenn Freeman was recognized as a 2022 United States Artist Fellow; a 2021 Foundation of Contemporary Art Grant for Artist recipient, selected as a 2019-2020 Urban Bush Women Choreographic Fellow and as a 2018 Chicago Dancemakers Lab Artist.

Juliette Hulsizer & Jenny Just

Student & Poker Player, Fintech Disruptor, Self Made Billionaire, Poker Player, Mother of 4

Juliette Hulsizer was 14 when her father noticed a weakness in her tennis game - she wasn’t anticipating her opponent’s moves or strategies. He suggested she learn poker to develop these skills. Now 17, she is a Senior at Lake Forest Academy, a three-sport varsity athlete, and co-founder (with her mom) of Poker Power. Their mission is to prepare one million girls and women to compete and succeed by developing skills such as problem solving, risk assessment, capital allocation and strategic thinking, all through poker. Jenny Just is the co-founder of PEAK6, a fintech empire that focuses on transforming undervalued businesses into high growth companies. PEAK6’s vision is to empower today’s consumer through technology that simplifies, processes, improves performance, and creates new wealth. Ms. Just is also passionate about finding opportunities for women to succeed at every table. This led her to launch Poker Power, with her daughter, to help women uncover the skills needed to win.

Mike Strautmanis

Movement Builder

Michael Strautmanis is a proud Chicagoan and foundation leader who works to advance social impact strategies. An attorney with organizing roots, he spent over a decade in Washington, D.C., increasing access to economic opportunity, strengthening the judicial system, and championing equity and inclusion. During that time, he served in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Obama Administration. Mr. Strautmanis currently acts as Executive VP for Civic Engagement at the Obama Foundation, where he develops and leads outreach and engagement efforts to make communities more connected and equitable.

Nico Rubio

Tap Dancer, Innovator

Chicago native Nico Rubio is one of the leading Tap Dancers of his generation. The founder and director of Shuffle Liiife Productions and tap company 333 (Three Thirty Three), Nico has traveled the world, teaching, performing and choreographing everywhere from Europe to Asia, Central America to South America. Appearing locally on Windy City Live and halftime for the Chicago Bulls, as well as abroad from UCLA’s Jazz Reggae Fest to the Beijing Contemporary Dance Festival. In 2018, Nico received the Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s Lab Artist Award. In 2019, he choreographed and produced By Way Of Taps: A J Dilla Tribute, which was performed at Columbia’s Dance Center, in Long Beach California, and premiered in full at Thalia Hall in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. From 2020 to now, Nico has produced virtual and in-person events via Shuffle Liiife.

Prof. Michael C. Jewett

Synthetic Biologist

Dr. Michael Jewett is the Director of the Center for Synthetic Biology and Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University. Dr. Jewett’s research focuses on advancing synthetic biology research in support of planet health and societal health. This work is creating biotechnologies for decentralized biomanufacturing, portable diagnostics, and educational kits to serve human needs. He co-founded SwiftScale Biologics, Stemloop, Inc., Pearl Bio, Induro Therapeutics, and Design Pharmaceuticals. Jewett is a Fellow of AIMBE, AAAS, and NAI.