After the Eaton Fire, Dr. Nanyamka Redmond asks: what if rebuilding started with youth? She reveals how trusting young people to lead can transform recovery into renewal—and turn silence into strength. Dr. Nanyamka Redmond is an applied developmental scientist whose work explores how supportive relationships shape adolescent performance, wellbeing, and long-term success. With experience as a high school teacher, track coach, youth pastor, mentor, and therapist, she bridges research and practice to make science meaningful in real-world settings. Dr. Redmond is passionate about equipping families, educators, and youth workers with tools to foster thriving environments, ensuring that young people are not only prepared for the future but empowered to lead and flourish today. 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 this talk, Lubo Minchev explores how innovation and equity can power the global goal of affordable electricity for all. Lubo Minchev turns ideas into reality. His DNA? Fair play, bold dreams and determination. He spots talent and has his mind always open for knowledge – from high technology, innovation and investment, to history and geography. He doesn't just ‘play the game’, he makes the rules. He's not afraid to make tough decisions and take risks. With his holding company over the past 20 years, he has supported more than 35 start-ups as an investor and mentor. His mission is focused on projects designed to meet global need for decarbonisation, energy efficiency, critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks and smart buildings. Lubo has set himself the goal of working on projects to solve energy poverty and provide access to electricity in resource-limited areas around the world. 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 this TEDxOldHickory talk, Tessa Tubbs speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like they’re living on autopilot - doing all the right things but still wondering, “How did I end up here?”. She explores that quiet moment when success no longer feels like you - and what it really takes to stop performing a role and start writing your own story. Tessa Tubbs is a leadership strategist and executive coach who helps bold leaders cut through complexity and lead with clarity. With two decades of global experience—including work across the U.S., U.K., Europe, Asia, and Australia—she’s partnered with organizations like Disney, Liberty Mutual, Fidelity, and PepsiCo to elevate leadership, accelerate strategy, and drive meaningful impact. Known for fusing strategic insight with grounded wisdom, Tessa challenges leaders to move with purpose, lead with courage, and build what matters. She doesn’t hand out formulas—she equips leaders to think, move, and lead with intention. Based in Dallas-Fort Worth, she draws on lived experience and a global perspective while raising a teenage son, doing life with her husband of 18 years, and managing two energetic dogs. Her message? Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about intentional influence. 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

This TEDx talk opens with a personal, stereotype-busting moment: the speaker—from South Africa—addresses the common question “Do you have water?” to challenge narrow internet portrayals of Africa, sharing that their home is a beautiful place with a comfortable life. It then shifts to cultural differences noticed after moving to China, focusing on greetings: Chinese friends have asked them to stop greeting strangers (e.g., in the subway), but the speaker explains that African greetings hold deep meaning—Zulu’s “Sawubona” means “I see you,” and Tswana’s “Dumela” is a celebratory nod to someone’s presence. The core of the talk dives into Zulu wedding culture, highlighting two key traditions: Amalobolo (the bride’s price), which is not a transaction but a ritual of respect and commitment that honors family unity; and Ukwembhesa, the “uniting of clans” where families exchange gifts, strengthening bonds beyond just the bride and groom to include entire communities. Overall, the speech weaves personal anecdotes with cultural insights to celebrate diversity and deepen understanding of South African—specifically Zulu—heritage. I'm Mlondi Ngubani, an inspiring teacher and facilitator from South Africa. I completed my primary education at Enhlokweni Primary School, followed by Masihambisane Secondary School and Panorama Combined School in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. I then pursued higher education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), where I earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Drama & Performance Studies, as well as a postgraduate honors degree in Performance Studies. Additionally, I completed AP Psychology training with Augsburg University in the United States and a teaching degree at Two Oceans Graduate Institute (TOGI) in Cape Town. My professional journey includes working as a Tutor, Jr. lecturer and an Academic Development Officer (ADO) amongst other things at UKZN, teaching English in an American English training center in China for two years, and most recently, serving as a psychology teacher at Kang Chiao International School East China Campus for the past four years. 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

This speech uses the metaphor of a kaleidoscope to explore and honor cultural diversity, centered on South Africa’s rich "cultural mosaic." It opens with a personal anecdote of attending a traditional Zulu wedding—highlighting vibrant attire, sounds, and the unifying power of love and joy across backgrounds. The speech then dives into key South African cultural elements: fusion foods like bobotie (Malay-Cape Dutch) and bunny chow (Indian-African) that foster community; Amapiano music, a globally celebrated genre blending house, jazz, and African sounds (exemplified by artists like Tyla); San rock art and contemporary street art that reflect identity and social issues; and traditions like Xhosa initiation ceremonies and Indian Diwali. It also addresses global challenges (e.g., fading indigenous languages due to social media) and solutions (community-led preservation efforts), concluding with a call to embrace cultural diversity as a way to build an inclusive, connected future—reminding audiences that each culture adds a unique "color" to humanity’s shared tapestry. I’m Nkanyiso Nxumalo, a 17-year-old public speaking enthusiast originally from South Africa. My journey began in Collingwood Primary School and continued at Brettonwood High School, where I first discovered my passion for oratory. However, I grew up in a community with limited opportunities to speak publicly, and I often felt nervous when addressing an audience. Recently, I migrated to China to pursue better educational opportunities, and I now attend Kang Chiao High School. This transition has been both challenging and rewarding, enabling me to fully embrace my passion for communication while confronting my fears. In my TED Talk, I will share my experiences as a South African and explore what it means to embrace our cultural kaleidoscope. I’ll discuss the various aspects that make South Africa such a unique nation, from our diverse food and music to our traditions and art. I hope to inspire others to celebrate our differences and recognise the beauty in our shared humanity. 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

Born in Hong Kong, the speaker moved to the U.S. at 3, where he learned English, loved English literature, and forgot how to read/write Chinese. At 9, his parents suddenly announced a return to China in two weeks, leaving him furious. After tearful goodbyes, he flew to Hong Kong—his first impression was hot, humid, dirty, and foreign, with unreadable signs, unfamiliar Mandarin, and noise that felt like a nightmare (though he now loves the city). Later in Shanghai, he remembered sweltering heat, rare rain (compared to California), and people raising silkworms. Learning Chinese as a second language was painful: he took special classes with a Canadian Chinese classmate, but Chinese characters felt like confusing squiggles next to the English alphabet. He avoided it at first, but limited English translations forced him to learn, eventually gaining fluent speech and basic reading/writing.In China, the speaker discovered a fascination with its culture and people. Raised on U.S. history (spanning less than 250 years, taught in decades), China’s 5,000 years of civilization—ancient wonders and artworks predating Columbus or the Aztecs—was eye-opening. He also admired the Chinese people’s spirit: hard work, endurance, and purpose, similar to the “American Dream.” He noted China’s rapid development—construction sites becoming highways, towns, or metropolises in years—and the energy of progress pushing people to reach their potential. Though he acknowledged the “rat race” isn’t perfect, he said it effectively lifted a generation out of poverty and turned China into a global economic power. Finally, amid polarized global politics, he called for U.S.-China collaboration over conflict, urging both sides to learn from each other and引用 George Washington’s words about avoiding habitual hatred or fondness. My name is Jianyuan Cheng, I was born in Hong Kong, raised in the US, and have spent the past 7 years of my life in and around Shanghai China. In my spare time, I admire art and study finance. Today I will explore the theme of “Cultural Kaleidoscope” through the similarities and difference between American and Chinese cultures. 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