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).

Ray Charles Performing Arts Center
900 West End Ave, SW
Atlanta, Georgia, 30310
United States

Alphonso Mills

Alphonso Mills is the Executive Director of This Is Your Moment (TIYM) Network, a media organization dedicated to promoting sexual health awareness and education about HIV advancements in treatment, prevention, and intersecting factors that impact the holistic well-being of underserved communities. With an extensive background in the HIV field, Alphonso has worked in various roles to advance the cause, including serving as a Georgia Equality Youth HIV Policy Advisor, Data Analyst and Enrollment Coordinator for two Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) Special Projects of National Significance, Co-Director of the Health Equity Scientific Working Group at Emory’s Center For AIDS Research, an HIV Patient Ambassador speaking across the nation, and most recently promoted to Community Engagement Strategist for the largest HIV Service organization in Georgia. Alphonso has achieved impressive results since the pilot release of TIYM in 2021, including placing in the top three in two small business pitch competitions and obtaining an NIH Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant with Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University to develop a media intervention to be piloted in sexual health clinics around Atlanta in 2024. Alphonso is a Black gender nonconforming person (He/She/They) who grew up in a military family, obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Morehouse College, and has worked with many HIV organizations in Atlanta and across the nation to raise awareness about living life authentically after being diagnosed with any illness, or experiencing any form of trauma. With his dedication to healthcare, Alphonso is a leader in advancing awareness and education about HIV and promoting health equity for all. Alphonso is a devoted partner to Ja’Mel of 5 years and an excited parent of their 1 year old child, Sea.

David Flowers III

His name is David Flowers III, a recent graduate of Morehouse college. He currently works for Ralph Lauren under the retail transformation team through their RL Iconic rotational program. He also owns a brand titled “Dave”, which aims at showcasing the journey of young black children through clothing. Through his brand, he hopes to open the fashion space for many other kids of color. In learning sociology at Morehouse, he discovered a joy in helping the black community, which has now expanded to helping all underrepresented communities across the world. He also learned the importance of integrating being a student in all facets of life. With the knowledge he has gained thus far, he aims at proving to the younger generation that anything is possible. He is an avid learner, who continues to learn the plight of people across the world. He hopes that his learnings and journey can inspire someone to chase their own dreams fearlessly. In all, he is a family man who shares a love for everyone across the world!

Jakyra Simpson

Jakyra Simpson aka Ky the Chemist is a Master Chemist and Science Communicator who graduated with her Bachelor of Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy with minors in Mathematics and Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Following graduation, she relocated to Arizona and studied at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine specializing in herbal medicine and cannabinoid research. In 2021, she became an American Chemical Society bridge fellow and chemistry graduate student at Indiana University (IU). She recently graduated with her master’s in chemistry from IU and during her time there, trailblazed a new way to teach chemistry using hip-hop and sneaker culture. She is combining elements of her interest, cultural background, and passion for learning and education as an approach to teaching chemistry to students and the general public. Creating her own research, she designed a series of Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics (STEAM) sneaker art workshops that incorporate hands-on activities that introduce specialized chemistry and its relationship to the materials used in sneakers. In 2023, she founded STEAM Sneakerheadz, which is an education consulting business and offers these workshops along with other science outreach initiatives. She is also the author of the free Open education resource “The Chemistry of Shoe Game: Using Sneaker Culture to Teach (STEAM)”

John Igwebuike

Dr. John G. Igwebuike is a lawyer and life-long learner of listening that currently serves as the Director of School Culture—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Saint Ignatius College Prep (Chicago). He is a retired tenured professor of business law at Alcorn State University, where he still teaches as an adjunct professor. Alcorn is the nation’s first agricultural land-grant HBCU. Dr. John is a sought-after thought leader uniquely focused on effective active listening as the foundation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. As an active listening activist, Dr. John is the founder of The Lead Listening Institute, an organization dedicated to disseminating best practices, research-based evidence, and heart-led instruction on listening. He delivers workshops, coaching, and professional development to schools, organizations, and groups. He is also the founder of Guanacaste: The Transformational Listening Conference (TLC) hosted annually in Chicago, Illinois. “Guanacaste,” derives from Náhuatl, the Aztec language, and means “Listening Tree.” As a listening consultant, counselor, and coach, he invites individuals, groups, and audiences to be “listening trees” who create ecosystems of oxygen-rich environments where all voices can be seen, heard, listened to, and understood. Dr. John is the author of “I Want to Hear You:” 22 Tips for Artful Listening before, during, and after a Conversation (2020) and a diversity-centered children’s book entitled, I Listen and So Can You (2022). His unique work on leveraging listening to cultivate cultures of care has been featured in Purpose, Inspire, Toastmasters International, Career Connections, Healthy Living, and National Academic Advising Association magazines.

Nicole Price

Dr. Nicole Price gets it. Price is dedicated to pushing her own limits and committed to developing her empathy muscle. Her logical, results-focused, technical background combines to enhance her objective approach to solving process problems, flipping dilemmas, and generating greater levels of understanding. Through leadership development, coaching, consulting, keynotes, and other resources, Dr. Price enables others to reach their goals by using empathy—not despite empathy. Her energetic and engaging sessions leave participants with strategies and specific tools that they can apply right away. Her lively presentation style garners rave reviews and, very often, invitations to return.

Shakita Brooks Jones

Shakita Brooks Jones is a Montgomery, AL native. Shakita is a graduate of Troy State University with a B.S. in social work, a master’s in social work from the University of Alabama and is currently working on her Doctorate in Social Work at the University of Alabama. Shakita also has a master’s degree in public administration and a nonprofit management certification from Auburn University Montgomery. Mrs. Brooks Jones was also an Assistant Clinical Professor at Auburn University in the Social Work program. She is the founder of Central Alabama Alliance Resource & Advocacy Center. Additionally, Shakita is also a strategy and facilitation consultant with Radical Optimist, a cooperative team of practitioners that serves to support groups in racial healing learning.

Valarie Mackey

Valarie W. Mackey brings more than two decades of expertise at the intersection of Technology, Talent/People Development, and fostering cultures of belonging. Her profound commitment to empowering individuals and organizations, coupled with her technological proficiency, sparked her transition from a Fortune 100 Leader to an entrepreneurial path, founding a company aimed at revolutionizing the Technology Talent Landscape. Commencing her career as a Consultant at Ernst and Young, Valarie was at the forefront of emerging technologies,contributing to the design, development, and deployment of cutting- edge systems for clients across various industries. Subsequently, she embarked on a remarkable 12-year journey with The Coca-Cola Company, where, as a Technology Leader, she orchestrated the delivery of international, customer-centric technology platforms totaling an average of $75MM annually for the enterprise functions of Human Resources, Legal, Sustainability, Public Affairs, and Communications. Her role extended beyond business enablement to include strategies for enhancing the employee pipeline and preparing talent for succession planning. As the Founder and CEO of WrightNow Solutions, a People Development Consultancy, Valarie’s results- oriented and forward-thinking mindset drives success. Her focus on transforming workforces to inspire innovation propels her work with organizations, architecting roadmaps and strategies to empower and equip personnel for future success. Valarie remains dedicated to elevating companies in the fiercely competitive talent landscape. She introduces underrepresented populations to growing, thriving technology careers by providing education, certification opportunities, and unprecedented access to leading corporations. Her holistic methodology meets people and organizations at their current levels, guiding them toward unprecedented success. Her company’s services span K-12 STE(A)M programming to providing learning experiences for company leaders, with a keen focus on Digital and Emotional IQ, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and fostering a culture of belonging. Valarie’s efforts in upskilling and reskilling have resulted in improved talent access and retention, proven ROI, and significantly increased salaries for non-traditional talent, contributing to economic growth. Valarie is a coveted strategic advisor, sought out by Fortune 500 companies, Non-Profit organizations, Educational Institutions, and Foundations for her technical prowess, global perspective, and business acumen. She has cultivated Board of Directors leadership experience across numerous community, professional, and civic organizations. In addition to the board officer roles, she has led several key functions on the boards including Governance, Human Resources, DEI, Technology, Long Range Planning, and Marketing, and served on countless committees. Valarie holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. Valarie’s contributions have garnered numerous accolades such as the National Woman of Color STEM Conference Special Recognition Award, ITSMF Pathfinder Entrepreneurship Award, Mentor of the Year Award, Business Woman of Excellence Award, Tech For All Government Award, ATP Startup Disruptor Award Finalist, TechnologyAssociation of Georgia Diversity Advocate Finalist, and Women in Technology Woman of the Year Finalist.