Sheyda Brown went from staying quiet to organizing for change. In this talk, she breaks down four roles every organizer needs to understand—and what real leadership looks like in practice. True heroes aren’t the ones in the spotlight. They’re the ones building people up and creating the kind of change that lasts. If we want a better world, we need to invest in the people who are working to build it. Sheyda Brown is an Iranian-American political organizer and strategist working to build collective power with communities of color in Oklahoma. Rooted in deep relationships and radical imagination, she fights white supremacist violence while advancing policy, narrative, and systems change. She began organizing after Hurricane Harvey, supporting disaster recovery in Houston’s Black and Brown neighborhoods. With 12+ years in the nonprofit sector, she’s led campaigns securing wage increases, federal investments, and lasting policy wins. Sheyda holds a Master of Social Work and completed Harvard Kennedy School’s Leadership, Organizing, and Action course. She is a 2022 Aspen Institute Healthy Communities Fellow and 2021 New Leaders Council Fellow. Across philanthropy and grassroots movements, her work centers marginalized voices and affirms that power belongs with the people. 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
- 8:08Do you define your name, or does your name define you? | Michael Nash | TEDxWestbourne Grammar YouthWhat's in a name?... Michael, a Father of 2 and Mathematics teacher. Late to the teaching profession Michael emigrated 7 years ago from the UK having worked as an accountant, entrepreneur and Teacher whilst serving in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Training Branch for 15 years. After a late ADHD and Autism diagnoses, He has become a passionate advocate for awareness of neurodiversity and understanding one's own brain. 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
- 15:06Overcoming Obstacles : Rising Above Challenges | Srikanth Bolla | TEDxInvertisUniversitySrikanth Bolla spoke at the Invertis University event held on January 23, 2025, in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized the power of determination and vision, even beyond literal sight. Bolla shared: “…what you hold in your mind, nurture in your heart, and pursue with determination can shape your reality… I refused to let limitations define me—instead, I turned them into my greatest strengths.” He also mentioned his inspiring focus on “overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and the power of resilience and determination.” "Turn your weaknesses into strengths." • He shared his inspiring life story: Despite being born visually impaired, he never let it define or limit him. He emphasized that inner strength and vision matter more than physical limitations. • He told students: Never see disability as a barrier, but as a unique force that can be converted into power. Believe in themselves and work with passion and purpose. • Srikanth said he faced discrimination and rejection at every stage, but: He converted those rejections into motivation. He pursued education at MIT (USA) and built a successful business that employs hundreds, many of whom are specially-abled. • He encouraged students to embrace their struggles and transform them into opportunities. Srikanth Bolla (born 7 July 1991) is an Indian industrialist and the founder Chairman of Bollant Industries. He was the first visually-impaired student in Management Science at the Sloan School of Management of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since he was visually impaired, educational opportunities were also a struggle, as not many accommodated it. Since then, he has been an important figure in creating opportunities for visually impaired people. He has been a youth leader since 2005 and went on to become a member of Lead India 2020: The Second National Youth Movement.[5] Started by former President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam,Lead India 2020[6] is helping India reach the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020 by eradicating poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. 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
