"What if your greatest fear could become your most powerful tool?"Umme Maisun’s journey began in silence—a young girl trembling at the thought of speaking English, convinced her voice didn’t belong. Through sheer determination, she turned stumbles into strength, teaching herself the language that would later empower thousands. But fluency was just the beginning.In this deeply personal talk, Umme reveals how mastering English became a gateway to something far greater: the courage to shatter taboos. From teaching English on social media to launching bold conversations about women’s hygiene, she proves that language isn’t just about words—it’s about agency, dignity, and defiance.Discover how:A voice can be built—even when the world tells you it’s not yours to use.Confidence is contagious—one vulnerable sentence can inspire a movement.Silence thrives on shame—but truth, spoken clearly, sets others free.Umme’s story is a rallying cry: Your voice, once found, can become someone else’s turning point. Umme Maisun is a 14-year-old content creator who simplifies English learning for Bangla medium students, aiming to break the myth that they can’t speak good English. Since 2019, she has been sharing easy, effective lessons across Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Today, she teaches over five million followers and has become a beloved figure in Bangladesh. Many children see her as a role model, and she has earned the admiration of countless parents. In addition to teaching, Maisun is passionate about writing. She has published four books: Chotoder Spoken English (Parts 1 & 2), Chotoder Vocabulary, and The Emerald Stone, a fiction novel she wrote by hand. Her books are both educational and entertaining, aimed at helping children grow in confidence and creativity. Maisun’s mission is to inspire kids to embrace learning and unlock their creative potential. 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
More from TED
- 11:16How pitstops can help you avoid burnout | Agamjot Singh | TEDxADIS Muroor YouthGet ready to shift gears with Agamjot Singh as he brings his passion for Formula 1 onto the TEDx stage. In The Pitstop Principle, Agamjot draws parallels between the high-stakes world of F1 and the rhythms of our daily lives, revealing how the split-second precision of pitstops offers powerful lessons in teamwork, timing, and personal growth. Through the roar of engines and the rush of adrenaline, this talk will explore how moments of pause—no matter how brief—can fuel our greatest progress. Agam, a 15-year-old from Punjab, holds a deep-rooted passion for Formula One and a mind that flourishes in environments that combine innovation and leadership. Whether he is mentoring juniors, or organizing sustainability initiatives through the Prakriti Environment Club, he infuses his work with vitality and purpose. He is an inquisitive student, self-assured speaker, and an unapologetically mediocre cook. Agam is enthusiastic about sparking imagination, making a difference, and gaining knowledge from every encounter. A perfectionist with a dreamer’s heart, he draws inspiration from the strategy and speed of F1, always ready for the next lap. 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
- 17:27Shaping our futures through design | Lesley-Ann Noel | TEDxOCADUThe talk is about how we can use designerly ways of knowing and doing to create social change. Lesley-Ann Noel, the author of Design Social Change, is a designer, researcher, and educator who practices design through critical and anti-hegemonic lenses with a focus on equity, social justice, and the experience of those who are often excluded from design research. Dr Lesley-Ann Noel’s research interests are centered around those who would traditionally be excluded from community-led research, design-based learning, and design thinking. She practices primarily in the areas of social innovation, education, and public health. In her research, Lesley-Ann highlights the work of designers outside of Europe and North America and promotes critical awareness by introducing critical theory concepts and vocabulary into the industry. Lesley-Ann has a BA in Industrial Design from the Universidade Federal do Paraná, in Curitiba, Brazil. She also has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago and earned her PhD in Design from North Carolina State University in 2018. She has been awarded honorary doctorates for service to the field of design by the University of the Arts London (2023) and the Pacific Northwest College of Art (2021). She is an active member of the Design Research Society and a co-editor of ‘The Black Experience in Design’. She is the Dean of Design at OCAD University (Aug 2024). Before OCAD-U, she taught at North Carolina State University, Tulane University, Stanford University, and the University of the West Indies. 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
- 19:29Hip Pain & AVN: A Silent Burden on India's Economy & Society | Dr. Rohit Luthra | TEDxGGSIPU EDCHip pain and Avascular Necrosis (AVN) quietly affect thousands of lives in India, often leading to disability, job loss, and emotional hardship. In this talk, the doctor shares how small advancements in surgical techniques—like the Direct Anterior Approach—can help people regain mobility and dignity. He also reflects on the importance of training the next generation of surgeons, ensuring that knowledge and care reach those who need it most. Dr. Luthra is a consultant orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement and arthroscopy. He has a strong interest in arthroplasty, arthroscopy, and sports medicine, with advanced training from top hospitals in Europe and India. Alongside his surgical expertise, He has been actively involved in robotic-assisted surgeries, using advanced technology to improve precision and patient recovery. His work with robotics has helped save many lives, especially in complex joint surgeries and minimally invasive procedures. He continues to mentor young doctors and remains dedicated to bringing innovation into orthopedic care. 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
- 8:43MISSTEPS TO MASTERY | PRAISE ETABA | TEDxYouth@FuntajIntlSchoolIn her inspiring speech, “Missteps to Mastery,” she uses humor and honesty to show how mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Through personal stories, she encourages young people to embrace failure as a path to growth, reminding us that true mastery begins with the courage to try again. Praise Michael Etaba is a passionate swimmer and budding storyteller, she is a curious and creative 10-year-old whose love for writing and water fuels both her imagination and determination. With a bright smile and a supportive spirit, she brings joy and energy to her school community. Whether diving into a pool or a good book, Praise is always eager to explore, learn, and grow. Her speech, “Missteps to Mastery,” is a heartfelt reflection on the power of learning through mistakes. With humor and honesty, she recounts a personal childhood mishap—crashing into her family’s car during her first attempt at cycling—and uses it to explore how failure can be life’s greatest teacher. Drawing on personal experiences and wise quotes, Praise encourages young people to embrace their missteps, see them as steppingstones, and never fear failure—only the failure to learn. Her message is simple but powerful. 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
- 4:53The Fear of the Unknown | Yvonne Idisi | TEDxYouth@FuntajIntlSchoolYvonne Idisi examines how fear of the unknown can either immobilize or inspire us to act. Using the Doomsday Clock as a metaphor, she urges us to confront global uncertainties with courage, awareness, and collective responsibility. In this thought-provoking talk, a 16-year-old speaker, Yvonne Idisi explores how fear—especially fear of the unknown—can either paralyze us or push us to act. Using the symbolic Doomsday Clock as a backdrop, she reflects on global threats like climate change, war, and rapid technological shifts, asking: *how do we stay hopeful when the future feels so uncertain? With honesty and urgency, this talk challenges listeners to face fear head-on—not with panic, but with awareness, courage, and collective action. Because even when the clock is ticking, we still hold the power to change its course. 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
- 4:43It Starts With Me | Jeremy Lawanson | TEDxYouth@FuntajIntlSchoolJeremy Lawanson emphasizes that meaningful change begins with personal responsibility, not power or position. Drawing from his own life and his father's lessons, he shows how integrity, empathy, and small acts of courage can inspire real transformation. In this powerful talk, Jeremy Lawanson, a 16 year old, challenges the belief that real change requires power or influence. Drawing from personal experience and lessons from his father, he shares how integrity, empathy, and accountability can quietly spark transformation.Through acts of kindness, community service, and everyday courage, the talk reminds us that building a better world doesn’t start with systems—it starts with us. A compelling call for personal responsibility and values-led leadership, one small act at a time 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
