“Disastrous Hope” is a story of resilience, identity, and rebirth in the face of loss. As a first-generation student and professional, I share how Hurricane Katrina washed away the tangible pieces of my past but revealed something deeper—the strength to rebuild from nothing. Through heartbreak and uncertainty, I discovered that hope isn’t the absence of disaster but the courage to rise through it. This talk reminds us that our greatest growth often emerges from what we lose, and that even in destruction, there can be transformation. Don Mosely is a civic leader, legal professional, and advocate for community safety and equity. He serves as Project Oversight Manager for the City of Birmingham’s Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI), leading strategic planning to enhance public safety and well-being. Formerly the County Court Administrator for Alabama’s 10th Judicial Circuit, he improved judicial efficiency and access. Don, a Miles College graduate and first-generation college student, earned his J.D. from Birmingham School of Law. His career includes roles with FEMA, AmeriCorps, UAB, and the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity. He also led TRIO programs and managed $1.3M in federal education funding. Don has held leadership roles with UNCF, Toastmasters, and multiple nonprofit boards. Recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal, Birmingham Times, and Alabama Legislature, he models servant leadership. His work is rooted in justice, education, and community empowerment. 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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- 8:38Hedging: The language tool that can change your life | Alice Ashcroft | TEDxScarisbrickIn this talk, researcher and writer, Dr Alice Ashcroft, explores how the subtle language pattern of "hedging" (those small words like "I think," "maybe," and "sort of") shapes our professional and personal lives in ways we rarely notice. Drawing from her research in gendered language and technology, she reveals how hedging isn't linguistic filler but a tool that reflects power dynamics, gender expectations, and the double bind many women face: speak directly and face social penalties, or hedge and undermine your own authority. Through examples from software design meetings to childhood memories, she demonstrates how understanding hedging can transform it from an unconscious habit into a strategic choice.Rather than advocating for the elimination of hedging language, Dr Alice Ashcroft, reframes it as a skill to be refined and deployed intentionally. She introduces practical tools like "The Button Example" and "The Power of Why" to help audiences recognise when hedging serves them and when it doesn't. The talk challenges conventional wisdom about confident communication, arguing that mastering intentional hedging isn't about speaking more like men or removing uncertainty from our language, it's about making conscious choices about how we use language to navigate systems that weren't designed with everyone's voices in mind. The result is a fresh perspective on communication that empowers people to maintain their authentic voices while claiming the space and authority they deserve.Dr Alice Ashcroft is a researcher and consultant who analyses the impact of identity and gendered language in software design and technology use. Alice has been published in peer-reviewed academic publications, and her PhD, titled “Design, Innovation and Software: The Impact of Gender and Language”, focused on how gender affects communication and teamwork in software design and innovation workshops. Their work highlights the need for more inclusive practices that give everyone a voice, helping to improve creativity and collaboration in the design process.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
