In South Asian culture, people are constantly worried about their public perception and acceptance into society. Anaya Sheikh discusses her experience growing up in a family with two members who have Tourette syndrome. She addresses the societal stigma and her work to educate others. This talk is the story of acceptance and resilience. Anaya Sheikh is a senior pursuing majors in Psychology and Global Studies. She plans to attend a Master's in Public Health program starting in the fall to continue her passion for service and advocacy to dismantle health inequities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

AI isn’t here to replace us - it’s here to elevate us. But in this moment of digital transformation, we face a choice: do we want to survive, or do we want to thrive? In this TEDx talk, we explore how technology, especially artificial intelligence, can be a force for opportunity, not just efficiency. From expanding access to wealth to creating new pathways for success regardless of where you're born, this is a call to shape the future before it shapes us.Intro audio: Chillout by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Chinyere Inya is an Afrofuturist and innovation strategist passionate about bridging Africa with its global diaspora. She is a Partner at Future Africa, a venture capital firm funding early-stage African founders solving the continent’s biggest challenges. As COO, she leads Accelerate Africa, the firm’s flagship 10-week accelerator program. With a strong background in tech delivery and product management, she has worked at top firms like IBM (Bluewolf), Ernst & Young, and JP Morgan Chase, driving global impact through technology transformation. Chinyere leverages this expertise to advise and invest in promising African startups. She also shares insights on her blog and YouTube channel, Living in the Gray, which explores identity, innovation, and the future of work. She holds a Bachelor's in Business Management with a minor in Psychology from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master’s in Finance from Georgetown University. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In psychology, fear is seen as a big, dramatic force that causes us to act. Although quick action can save lives, fear is also used authoritatively to control populations, or by businesses to persuade customers. But is fear an effective emotion? This talk highlights research on the emotions that grab our attention and remain in our memories long term. Akshada Subramaniyan is a freshman at UNC Chapel Hill with a passion for neuroscience, medicine, and sustainability. She has explored neural networks, brain stimulation, and climate solutions — focusing on how these fields can address real-world challenges. Her focus on studying how emotions drive decision-making and helping novel brain stimulation research at UNC is driven by a commitment to broaden the impact of scientific research, making it accessible and relevant to diverse communities. Beyond academics, Akshada is a passionate dancer who has traveled internationally to perform at various stages. She sees dance as more than just an art form — it is a powerful tool for advocacy and storytelling. Whether she’s analyzing data, choreographing, or reading, she’s always seeking ways to connect her passions and create meaningful impact. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Joseph Overton said, "Ideas become policy only after moving from unthinkable notions to becoming popular ideas." In this talk, Casey Buisson discusses their work in psychology where shifting perspectives shape change and create new possibilities. Casey Buisson is an MSW student at UNC-Chapel Hill on the Community, Management, and Policy Practice track. They are in the one-year advanced standing program, moving to Chapel Hill just two weeks after graduating from the University of Alabama with a BSW. Grad school keeps Casey busy as an ambassador for the UNC School of Social Work, research assistant with the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force, and intern at the LGBTQ Center of Durham. After graduation, Casey hopes to use this MSW education to promote LGBTQ+ rights in the Deep South through the intersection of policy and community organizing. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The speaker discussed how sculpture, often seen as a static and tangible art form, can instead become a medium for the unseen. Their work translates sound, memory, and human interaction into material form, using elements like stone and glass to capture the ephemeral. By allowing participants to feel sound rather than simply hear it, the talk emphasized how art can merge sensory experience, ecological awareness, and human connection. Through this approach, sculpture moves beyond the boundaries of materiality, inviting audiences to reconsider how the tangible and intangible intertwine. Harsha Durugadda is an Indian sculptor who received The Arts Family Emerging Artist Award in 2023 for South Asia and won the Rio Tinto Sculpture Award 2017 at Sculpture by the Sea, Australia. In 2021 he was part of a Sotheby’s New York contemporary auction in partnership with Burning Man. In 2014, the Courtauld Institute of Art invited him to present on Ancient Buddhist Sculpture at the British Museum, London. He received the Andrew Stretton Memorial invitation in 2016 Sydney. His sculptures have been exhibited internationally at Nord Art in Germany, Emergent Art Space in the United States, London, and Sculpture by the Sea in Australia. Durugadda’s artworks are part of major public and private collections including Busselton Jetty (Australia), Bangalore Airport and RMZ Foundation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The speaker shared how small acts of compassion can create extraordinary change. Growing up in a family of seven children, financial struggles meant difficult choices, including sisters being married off at a young age. Yet, through the generosity of others who offered free education, accommodation, and support, opportunities opened that once seemed impossible. These seemingly ordinary acts became life-changing, shaping the speaker’s journey toward becoming a Human Resources leader. The talk reflects on how compassion built their future, and why they now dedicate their life to building futures for others through career counseling, employment opportunities, and financial guidance. Emmanuel Gosula is a Senior Manager, People Partner at EPAM Systems, based in Hyderabad. With nearly 20 years of experience across HR business partnering, talent development, L&D, coaching, and HR analytics, he is known for his emotionally intelligent leadership . An XLRI alumnus, Emmanuel has shaped programs like EPAM’s Campus Education Programs for Students and Teaching Professors, and scholarship programs for underrepresented women & children in tech. He was a board member of professional bodies like NHRDN & ISTD, and core HR committee member of CII, Hysea and ISF in the past. He frequently speaks at forums like HR Shappers, SymbiTalks and ISTD, sharing insights on adversity, AI-driven preparedness, and leadership. Passionate about nurturing talent, he transforms his own journey of support into a mission to empower others. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx