Theme: Roots and Routes

On April 13th, we welcomed five speakers to our university for an evening dedicated to exploration and learning. This year’s theme, TEDxRootsandRoutes, wove together ideas of identity and heritage as they shape our life paths—encompassing personal histories, cultural experiences, and the journeys that define us.

Spurlock Museum
600 S Gregory St at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois, 61801
United States

Christopher LeMark

Mental health advocate + coffee shop owner

Christopher LeMark is the founder of Coffee, Hip-Hop, and Mental Health, a grassroots movement that uses culture and conversation to normalize therapy and expand emotional education in overlooked communities.

Elisabeth Pollock

Public Defender

Elisabeth Pollock is the Chief Public Defender for Champaign, Illinois. Her mission is to provide the highest quality of representation to all clients who enter her office.

Manu Edakara

Director of Iventure Accelerator + entrepreneur

Manu Edakara is the Director of iVenture Accelerator, the entrepreneurship program for the University of Illinois System. For his pioneering work, Manu has been named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

Russell Wigginton

President of the National Civil Rights Museum

Dr. Russell Wigginton serves as the President of the National Civil Rights Museum. He brings vast experience in education, fundraising, operations, and community engagement.

Terry Henderson

Music producer

Terry Henderson sang for 12 years for Uniting Voices of Chicago, allowing him to perform in over eight countries. He also runs his startup artists management and media production company, Twelve Thirty Entertainment.