In this inspiring and deeply personal talk, Damini Awoyiga shares her journey of growing up Black and neurodiverse with ADHD in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Through poetry, story, and reflection, she explores how impulsivity — often framed as a flaw — can become a source of creativity, resilience, and possibility.From feeling misunderstood as a child to embracing her unique mind and cultural identity, Damini demonstrates how harnessing curiosity, courage, and creativity can transform challenges into opportunities. She encourages us to listen to our impulses, name them, and follow through — turning raw energy into innovation, self-expression, and empowerment.Given at TEDxArgyleSt in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Damini Awoyiga is a high school student and dynamic young leader passionate about activism, art, and creative expression. A spoken word poet and former Youth Poet Laureate of Halifax (2023–2024), she uses her voice to inspire change.Damini is the founder of Damini Creatives
and the Afro-Indigenous Book Club, promoting works by Black and Indigenous authors. She is
also a freelance journalist for CBC Mainstreet and serves on the HRM Youth Advisory
Committee.Her recent works include Through Our Eyes and Melanin in Motion, powerful performances blending poetry, music, and dance. Damini also loves to write, sing, and create. 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
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- 8:17Look beneath the soil | Alvinia Desouza | TEDxPanajiFrom crafting chocolate to healing soil, I returned to Goa to nurture land, community, and cacao into something extraordinary. Alvinia Desouza is a Swiss-trained chocolatier who returned to Goa after seven years abroad with a vision to build the state's cacao community and cultivate her own farm. A former patisserie lecturer at Fr. Angel, she has inspired and trained young minds in the art of pastry and chocolate. Beyond her craft, Alvinia is a passionate animal lover and dedicated advocate of permaculture and soil conservation. Weekends often find her at her farm offering practical solutions for home gardening and sustainable produce—reflecting her commitment to nurturing both people and planet through food and nature. 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
- 17:54The Billion-Dollar Question: Is Curiosity a Practical Investment? | K M Shariatullah | TEDxSUSTWe invest billions in looking up from the $10 Billion James Webb Space Telescope to a staggering $3.9 Billion requested for NASA's 2026 science budget. Is this immense expenditure on the "ultimate fate of the universe" truly worth it when we face so many earthly challenges? This talk dives into the tension between pure scientific curiosity and its practical impact. Using the dramatic cuts in NASA's proposed FY 2026 budget as a starting point, we explore the profound, unexpected benefits that space science, including astronomy, has delivered like the invention of Wi-Fi by radio astronomers. From the ancient link between stars and the naming of months like Boisakh to the groundbreaking work of Copernicus, this is a compelling argument that the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake is, in fact, one of the greatest leaps for humankind. Discover why "because the problem exists" is the only justification we need. ?? ????????????, ????????? ?????????? & ??????? ??????.Currently an Intern at the Center for Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics, Shariatullah has dedicated himself to exploring the mysteries of the universe. He is also the Founder and President of ট্যাকিয়ন – Tachyon, a platform built to foster scientific curiosity and research in astronomy. Previously, he served as the President of the Copernicus Astronomical Memorial of SUST (CAM-SUST), where he inspired countless students to look up at the stars with wonder and inquiry. 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
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