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).

Charleston Music Hall
37 John St
Charleston, South Carolina, 29403
United States

Alli Stovall

Alli Stovall is a dedicated advocate and entrepreneur based in South Carolina. She actively supports Social and Emotional Learning for South Carolina (SEL4SC), promoting emotional well-being and interpersonal skills statewide. As a Miss America Ambassador for the Lowcountry, she raises funds for women's scholarships and the American Heart Association. Alli also runs Just As Planned Productions, a wedding and event planning business, where she helps bring dream events to life.

Ann Caldwell

As a solo artist, ensemble vocalist, and music producer, Ann Caldwell is Charleston’s “first lady of jazz.” Performing locally for decades, Caldwell is a jazz and blues singer, and is greatly influenced by the past. She has performed a series of centennial concerts devoted to the music of Duke Ellington and formed the Magnolia Singers to perform the spirituals of times past. She is a master of accents, accurately recreating the tonalities of speech which are important to both jazz and blues.

Ann Coldwell

As a solo artist, ensemble vocalist, and music producer, Ann Caldwell is Charleston’s “first lady of jazz.” Performing locally for decades, Caldwell is a jazz and blues singer, and is greatly influenced by the past. She has performed a series of centennial concerts devoted to the music of Duke Ellington and formed the Magnolia Singers to perform the spirituals of times past. She is a master of accents, accurately recreating the tonalities of speech which are important to both jazz and blues.

Ashley Glinka

Ashley Glinka is an esteemed expert in terrorism, behavioral detection, and situational intelligence. Her extensive experience spans 18 yrs including her time as a Federal Air Marshal. She has played a pivotal role in developing and executing effective measures that protect assets, personnel, and infrastructure from diverse threats. Ashley excels in integrating holistic security strategies, ensuring a proactive and adaptive approach to threat mitigation.

Brenna Lawrence

Proudly raising confident, self-aware girls, with my love. A top performer in a male dominated industry. The abuse I suffered for almost a decade would make a sailor blush and almost destroyed me. Today I empower women as a coach & mentor on a corporate level, locally, peer to peer and 1:1. The 1st Educator Ambassador for MSH. I've given 9 DisruptHR talks over the last 3 years focused on mindset. My girls come bc a curse breaking, vulnerable role model & a woman brave enough to fail matters.

Carolyn Murray

Carolyn is ling-time co-anchor news at WCBD-TV in Charleston. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She has earned multiple regional Emmy awards for her impactful storytelling. Carolyn has interviewed prominent figures, including President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. She has served on boards and work with dozens of non-profit organizations showcasing my commitment to community.

Elise Testone

Elise Testone is a powerhouse vocalist whose incredible stage presence and vocal maturity rank with the best. Hers is the perfect combination of soul, rock, attitude and restraint. Equally as impressive and at ease belting James Brown style vocals over a relentless funk groove as she is resting her voice gently over a ballad, this former American Idol finalist’s range of influences and vocal capacity know few limits.

Joe Scalea

Dr. Scalea is an academic transplant surgeon and Vice Chair of Surgery at MUSC. Educated and trained at the Univ. of Maryland, Harvard Univ./MGH, the Univ. of Wisconsin, and MIT, he has led some of the largest kidney transplant programs in the USA, winning numerous awards. While an entrepreneur and innovator, Dr. Scalea also publishes on humanism, and the impact of transplant on donor and recipient families. His work has been published and in the Ann. of Surg., JAMA, the NYT, and the Atlantic.

Joshua Schumak

Joshua Shumak is the State of South Carolina's Native American Affairs Program Coordinator. He focuses on organizing cultural events like Native American Heritage Month observances and providing support to Native American communities. Joshua works with tribal leaders to address their needs and ensure proper representation. His role includes overseeing initiatives that highlight Native history and culture, aiming to increase recognition and support for these communities across the state.

Kaipo Sotelo

Dr. Samual Kaipo Sotelo is a performance therapist, strength and conditioning specialist, and entrepreneur based in Greenville, SC. Dr. Sotelo on the island of Guam and serves as a rotating PT for the Guam National Olympic Committee. Dr. Sotelo has dedicated his life to helping people understand how to maximize their movement for the life they live. In 2023 he founded Method Performance Labs, an award winning tech start up developing software to solve the problem of movement at a global scale.

Marisa Zeppieri

I am a former health journalist and Mrs. New York. Over 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with Lupus and am the founder of LupusChick.com, a 501c3 and community for invisible illness. I speak nationally on various topics dealing with chronic illness, and am the author of two books, most recently my award-winning memoir, Chronically Fabulous. My personal story and how LupusChick began is highlighted as the 35th chapter in Lady Gaga's recent book, Channel Kindness. Learn more at LupusChick dot com.

Matt Toreseco

Matt Toresco is the Founder and CEO of Archo Advocacy. With nearly two decades of experience in healthcare and as a chronic pain patient who broke his neck, he understands the challenges all patients face in getting care. He leads efforts to bridge the gap between patients and industry, advocating for patient-centered care. Matt uses data-driven insights to champion equitable access and empower patients to shape healthcare policy, especially in underserved communities.

Melinda Edwards

Melinda Edwards MD is a mother, writer and physician in Charleston, SC, providing psychiatric care for underserved adults. She attended the Medical University of South Carolina and completed her residency in psychiatry at Stanford Medical Center. She is the author of the amazon best-selling book Psyche & Spirit and is a columnist for Autism Parenting Magazine. The vision for the 501c3 nonprofit organization Living Darshan was born out of her journey with her autistic daughter Saachi.

Nameless Numberhead

From training at the world-renowned comedy institutions of Chicago (The Second City, iO, and The Annoyance), to performing Off-Broadway, or even touring nationally; Nameless Numberhead has developed a highly acclaimed comedy brand in the southeast. They draw upon years of experience to cultivate the best creative projects using the teachings and philosophy of Chicago style improvisation.

Shaquira Langley

It's no secret that teachers are leaving the classroom and are students are suffering. All parties involved in education are overwhelmed in some capacity. The suffering comes far and wide from being overworked and underpaid, policy makers and leaders at the forefront making decisions without including teachers, lack of community resources, support and more. The need to elevate teacher voices is important to save our teachers, students, and the building of our nation.

Sol Rashidi

Sol Rashidi has been thee Head of Technology for Amazon's Startup Division, and a seasoned expert in data, AI, and business transformation. With over 25 years of experience and 10 patents, she helped launch IBM Watson, the world's first commercial AI application, and has held executive roles at Estee Lauder, Merck, and Sony Music. Sol has been recognized as a Top 100 Thought Leader in AI and a Forbes AI Visionary & Maverick of the 21st Century

Sol Roshidi

Sol Rashidi has been the Head of Technology for Amazon's Startup Division, and a seasoned expert in data, AI, and business transformation. With over 25 years of experience and 10 patents, she helped launch IBM Watson, the worlds first commercial AI application, and has held executive roles at Estee Lauder, Merck, and Sony Music. Sol has been recognized as a Top 100 Thought Leader in AI and Forbes AI Visionary & Maverick of the 21st Century

Solae Ent'

Solae' ENT, blends traditional West African dance with a modern twist, accompanied by energetic drumming and instruments. The show includes Gullah storytelling, call-and-response chants, Gullah history, insights into Swahili and Gullah Geechee, and uplifting Gospel spirituals, offering an engaging and educational cultural experience.

Yulia Gavrilova

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Director of Burn Behavioral Health at the SC Burn Center, MUSC. I specialize in PTSD, depression, and anxiety treatment after traumatic injuries and burns. Committed to improving mental health care access, I lead initiatives to promote recovery and wellbeing among traumatic injury patients, burn survivors, firefighters, and disaster survivors. I also co-developed a mobile app that connects burn patients with providers and offers mental health resources.