Theme: Spheres of Influences in our Changing World

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).

Central Texas Home Buider's Association
445 East Central Texas Expresway
Harker Heights, Texas, 76548
United States

Anita Roberts

What it's like to be a woman in venture capital

Anita Roberts is the Founder & Managing Partner of Silicon Hills Capital where she Invests in women & African American founders seeking pre-seed to seed-level financing. The mission is to bridge the gap to venture capital for women, with a focus on Black and Brown founders, building scalable, growth aggressive companies. Anita is also a Founding Partner of Mvmt Ventures, a studio and venture fund creating accessible technologies, empowering millions of people to live healthier, happier, and more productive lives. Anita is also a retired army officer and combat veteran, Anita served as a logistics & public relations officer, achieved the rank of Lt. Col, and served on the first black POTUS' inaugural public relations team and executive spokesman as Chief, Public Affairs in Afghanistan.

Brandt Kingsley

Brandt Kingsley is an ambassador for good energy and the initiator of Peace. Mr. Kingsley founded the international organization Pedal 4 Peace USA in 2018. This program teaches youth how to repair, ride and race bikes all while helping to rejuvenate, educate and innovate the minds of youth. Brandt has traveled to over 11 countries and 3 continents riding with the President of Burundi and staying with foreign diplomats in the name of Peace and Development. While in Africa Brandt re-discovered one of his long-lost passions for music. In 2022 he launched his debut 1st album entitled “Prince Of Africa” which helped push him onto the charts in Angola Africa, Kenya Africa, and on the islands of St. Marteen and St. Lucia. “As an Afro RnB artist, I just want to give the world a story through music that they can relate to life with.” His favorite quote is “Whatever the mind of man conceives and believes it can achieve.” Napoleon Hill

Brandt Kinsley

Purpose is more powerful than object.

Brandt Kinglsey is an ambassador for good energy and the initiator of Peace. Mr. Kingsley founded the international organization Pedal 4 Peace USA in 2018. This program teaches youth how to repair, ride and race bikes all while helping to rejuvenate, educate and innovate the minds of youth. Brandt has traveled to over 11 countries and 3 continents riding with the President of Burundi and staying with foreign diplomats in the name of Peace and Development. While in Africa Brandt re-discovered one of his long lost passions for music. In 2022 he launched his debut 1st album entitled “Prince Of Africa” which helped push him onto the charts in Angola Africa, Kenya Africa and on the islands of St. Marteen and St. Lucia. “As an Afro RnB artist, I just want to give the world a story through music that they can relate to life with.” His favorite quote is “Whatever the mind of man conceives and believes it can achieve.” Napoleon Hill

Dr. Ashley Lowe-Simmons

The Magic of Social Learning

Dr. Ashley Lowe-Simmons, LCSW-C, FSW is a God-fearing wife, mother and servant leader. Dr. Ashley has accomplished a lot in her personal and professional life, but none of her accomplishments have been obtained with ease. Dr. Ashley sees her life as a boxing match, round after round she has been presented with numerous challenges, but when the bell goes off, she takes a breather and gets back in the ring for the next round. Dr. Ashley's greatest challenge was being a Black, single mother; during this part of her life, she became extremely passionate about single mothers, particularly those of Black and Hispanic descent. Dr. Ashley's life mission is to assist Black and Hispanic families headed by single mothers with the right resources, support, and education to accomplish the goals and aspirations of their families. Dr. Ashley says that she is all things mom, money, and mental health.

Dr. D. Ivan Young

Good Trouble - The Power of Disruption

Dr. Young is an ICF Master Certified Coach, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, a Credentialed Master Practitioner in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment, an American College of Lifestyle Medicine | WellCoaches Certified Health and Wellness Coach, a Certified Professional Diversity Coach credentialed through the renowned Coach Diversity Institute and an esteemed member of the Forbes Coaches Council. Dr. Young was co-lead for the Institute of Coaching's Council on Race, Equity and Inclusion, and a Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Coaching an affiliate of the Harvard University Medical School. His in-depth emotional intelligence theories helped launch his career as a world-renowned public speaker and one of America’s most sought-after life coaches.

Dr. John Oberg

Chronic Disease is Everywhere

Dr. John Oberg, is a Founder, CEO, Board Director, Advisor, and Investor who is trusted by organizations to navigate growth, conflict, and change. He founded two Austin-based healthcare innovators, Sedera, a community-based medical cost-sharing organization, and Precina, a chronic care virtual medical practice currently solving diabetes. John serves on the board of directors for both organizations along with the boards of OnlineMedEd and Point Health. Through JOA Advisory, John advises large institutions, healthcare industry leaders, professional services firms, and nonprofits. John received his doctorate from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.

Dr. Keonna White

Kids Need Real Models Not Role Models

Dr. Keonna White has spent the last 20 years as an educator in some capacity. Dr. White has held positions as an early childhood educator, middle and high school teacher, district-level Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, Adjunct Professor, Principal, and Executive Director of Professional Development. In addition to serving as the Executive Director of Professional Development and Curriculum for Waco Independent School District, Dr. White also serves as the District Liaison for professional development partnerships with Baylor University, Tarleton State University, and Texas Tech. Dr. White completed a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Effective Schools from Grand Canyon University. She holds a master’s degree and principal certification from Tarleton State University, received her teacher certification from the University of Mary Hardin- Baylor, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern MS

Dr. Yvette Maureen Holmes

Even The Silly Things Are In The Tapestry Of Life

Dr. Yvette Maureen (Holmes) is a business professional and a passionate entrepreneur who has distinguished herself as an innovative scholar, accomplished professor, insightful business advisor, prolific author, engaging host, and dedicated community leader. Her vision, wisdom, and energy have propelled her career to prominence in the business world. Dr. Yvette is dedicated to facilitating the growth and evolution of business leader consciousness. Aside from her profound impact in academia, Dr. Yvette is a highly sought-after strategy consultant to business and thought leaders offering development and consultative services to entrepreneurs in search of critical solutions to their organizational challenges. As a professor and philanthropist, her numerous roles have led to experience in consulting for high-profile clients.

Eben Sebastian

Is Taste a Blessing or a Curse - Adapting ESG to Ourselves

Eben Sebastian was born in North Carolina and moved to Texas a few years ago. Currently, he is a sophomore in high school and is honored to have the opportunity to speak at TEDx Harker Heights. He is a high achieving student and is intensely keen on connecting humanities with math and science. Eben has been performing since a young age and was ranked highly at the 2021 Texas Thespians festival. He believes that many are talented and born with gifts, but the ones who work hard will always achieve greatness. He is thankful to his parents, teachers, and community for their support and encouragement throughout the years.

James Clarkson

James L. Clarkson, is a devoted father to his daughter Journey. He is a business owner of New Horizon Music Studio and the Director of the Bell County Youth Orchestra in Killeen, TX. He envisions our youth being guided through modeling, mentoring, and motivating in the positive through music.

Keren Eldad

Why you should pray for a midlife crisis

Keren Eldad (“Coach Keren”) is an executive coach and trainer working with media personalities, founders, teams, and executives at organizations such as NIKE, Estee Lauder, Salesforce, Twitter, and more. Her mission is to advance teachings that help people cultivate personal agency, a positive self-image, and a strong sense of purpose so they can thrive as individuals and in teams. Keren's work has been featured in numerous leading media outlets, including; The Harvard Business Review, CNBC, The Today Show, and in 2019, Goop named her one of the 11 life-changing coaches of the year. Her first Tedx talk, “You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know,” has been viewed over 250,000 times, and her second. She holds gold-standard International Coaching Federation credentials as well as advanced academic degrees from The London School of Economics and the University of Jerusalem, and currently also serves as a guest lecturer at the University of Texas.

Keturah Rosato

"Reimagning Success through Emotional Fluency"

Keturah Rosato is a speaker, trainer, clinical therapist, and coach who works with female leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers to help them increase their impact and build success by using emotional fluency as a blueprint for taking inspired action to drive you forward. Through her process, The Emotional Fluency Cycle, she teaches you how to identify the emotional factors that are hindering your ability to take action towards your pursuits, achievement, and embodiment of success so that you can begin to see the shifts that will begin to attract and invite success into your life, business and relationship.

Mark Walker

Mark A. Walker is a celebrated, seasoned, and well-respected live and session bassist with more than 250 recording credits. He has worked with International Jazz, Gospel, and R&B recording artists and producers throughout the world, some of whom are: Yolanda Adams, Gerald Albright, Pattie Austin, William Becton, Shirley Caesar, Will Downing, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Maysa, Phil Perry, Karen Clark-Sheard, Richard Smallwood, Spur of the Moment and Vicki Winans. He has participated in projects that have garnered 1 NAACP Image Award nomination, 4 Grammy Award nominations, and 7 Stellar Award wins. Additionally, he's earned various regional and local honors and awards. As a man with a firm spiritual foundation, you can find him supporting the music ministry at Greater Mount Calvary Church in Washington, D.C. when he's not on the road

Mark A. Walker & Ronnie Coleman

Mark A. Walker is a celebrated, seasoned, and well-respected live and session bassist with more than 250 recording credits. He has worked with International Jazz, Gospel, and R&B recording artists and producers throughout the world, some of whom are: Yolanda Adams, Gerald Albright, Pattie Austin, William Becton, Shirley Caesar, Will Downing, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Maysa, Phil Perry, Karen Clark-Sheard, Richard Smallwood, Spur of the Moment and Vicki Winans. He has participated in projects that have garnered 1 NAACP Image Award nomination, 4 Grammy Award nominations, and 7 Stellar Award wins. Additionally, he's earned various regional and local honors and awards. As a man with a firm spiritual foundation, you can find him supporting the music ministry at Greater Mount Calvary Church in Washington, D.C. when he's not on the road.

Misty Biddick

Invisible Victims of Gender Based Violence: Advocacy, Awareness and Influencing the Movement.

Misty Biddick is currently the Executive Director of Aware Central Texas, a dual domestic violence/sexual assault program located in Central Texas. Misty received her B.S in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M Central Texas and her M.S in Applied Criminology from Lamar University. She has spent her career working with both survivors and perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence. Ms. Biddick established the first family violence specialized caseload in Bell County, Texas which focused on the community supervision of high-risk domestic violence offenders. Ms. Biddick is a passionate advocate and educator, now focusing her efforts on bringing awareness to the barriers experienced by IPV survivors in rural areas.

Nyaja Nyaja

Nyaja began singing at the age of two when she first heard "Pretty Wings" by Maxwell. The high school freshman loves singing, as well as dancing, acting, and writing. Her goal as an artist is to make her audience feel the emotions she pours into every performance. When she's not singing, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. Nyaja's Instagram: @iamnyaja

Renita Garrett

Your Role Is Important

Renita Garrett is the Founder and CEO of High Aim Consulting LLC, where she provides business coaching to add value to individuals and organizations. Renita is also the founder of Pretty Eye Catching LLC an accessories company where she is able to offer affordable accessories to women and men. She’s also an Independent Consultant where she’s in the top .1% of the organization leading a team of over 1,500 women and men. Renita is a retired senior non-commissioned officer of the United States Army with more than twenty years of active military service. She’s a combat veteran who served as a Logistician and First Sergeant. Renita brings unique perspectives from her experience. She earned her Masters's in Business from Excelsior College and is currently pursuing a Masters's in Education to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor from Lamar University.

Shake the Poet And Courtney Rose

Shake the Poet (Richard White) is a spoken word who is a military veteran from Newark New Jersey currently residing in Killeen, Texas. Along with his wife Courtney Rose (songstress), they create poetry that educates, edifies, and brings awareness to varied issues. T

Tina Capito

Youth Transition Using Your Abilities and Community!

Tina J Capito M.E.d with Garden of Hope of Central Texas (a residential facility for foster care children) has spent the last 25 years being a supporter of children and their basic needs. She began her journey as a public educator in 1996. She then dedicated most of her education career to children with disabilities and now foster care children. Through her dedication and drive, she has spent the last decade empowering a community to empower youth! Her primary goal is to help children become healthy, happy, successful adults and she believes that this only occurs through the support of a community that serves together

Toni Ringgold

Toni Ringgold is the founder and owner of T. Ringgold Enterprises LLC, and Space Create Studio in Killeen Texas. She is an entertainer, radio personality, musician, vocalist, artist development coach, and actress. Her motto is "there is enough sun for everyone to shine". Her captivating voice has taken her all over the country and placed her on many stages from Sunset Blvd to the Symphony Orchestra, her grace and sincere delivery grip every audience.

Vince Pedican

" What's In Your PhD?"

Vince Pedican is a highly adaptive and versatile leader with over fifteen years of progressive experience developing and executing strategic initiatives and military programs. As Co-Founder and CEO at ECO Energy Bahamas, Vince leads the company's operations division with responsibility for business operations in the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Africa. He also oversees the company's ongoing expansion efforts into emerging markets.