In this TED Talk, Braxton Mastre opens with a surprising moment to challenge how we judge others at first glance. He shares his personal journey with dyslexia—a learning difference that affects 1 in 5 people yet is still widely misunderstood. Growing up, dyslexia made him feel like he didn’t belong. But over time, he discovered that his brain just worked differently. By leaning into that difference instead of fighting it, Braxton found new ways to learn, create, and build. He walks the audience through how he learned to see the world through a unique lens, developed his own chaotic-but-effective process, and eventually used his dyslexia as an advantage. Braxton Mastre is a passionate creative advertiser, storyteller, and leader with a vision for crafting campaigns that connect deeply with audiences. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with major global brands such as Tide, Carter’s Rivian, and L’OREAL- each experience shaping his perspective and sharpening his creative instincts. These collaborations have not only fueled his passion for impactful advertising but also laid the foundation for building his own creative agency, Mastre. At Mastre, Braxton and his team don’t just make ads-they craft narratives that resonate, inspire and move people to action, whether it’s launching a new product or elevating a brand’s identity, he brings a detail-oriented approach to every project. Braxton believes that storytelling is the key to influence, and the committed to helping brands find their voice. Tell their story, and leave a lasting impression on 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

What happens when opportunity doesn’t knock?You build the stage yourself. In this talk, writer/director, and author Carlos Lerma explores how one phrase—“If you want to be the star, create the show”—shaped his life. Carlos shares his journey from Monterrey, Mexico, to the U.S., where he channels personal stories into films that explore love, friendship, heartbreak, loneliness, and homesickness. He also sheds light on the challenges international students face, from immigration limitations to cultural shifts, and how storytelling became his way of trying to make the world a better place.Carlos Lerma is an award-winning Mexican writer/director, animator, and author based in Chicago. He’s known for his collection of live-action and animated short films, all inspired by his own life experiences of early adulthood, being an immigrant, friendship, love, and heartbreak. He was featured in the Chicago Tribune not only for his work, but also for his ongoing film festival tour across the U.S., which began a year and a half ago. Some of these include screenings at the Music Box Theatre, NFFTY, and CineYouth presented by the Chicago International Film Festival. He is also the author and illustrator of the illustrated poetry book Adultish, now in its third edition.LINKS:https://www.instagram.com/carloselermahttps://www.youtube.com/@carloselermahttps://www.carloselerma.com/ 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

There is a present and continuous threat towards the expressions of many marginalized identities, especially for the trans community. Both the United States and Britain have passed recent referendums targeting trans individuals under the guise of public safety. The contemporary queer art scene rejects these false narratives through a myriad of contemporary philosophical positions. Many queer artists bring maximalism, metamodernism, and constellationism into their works. Whereas authoritarianism reinforces the status quo through demonization of pluralism, modern queer ideologies reject it in favor of radical acceptance of diversity. In this talk, we’ll take a look at the queer underground art scene of Chicago to see how its arts embrace diversity in rejection of authoritarian ideals. Comus Rivera is a queer, nonbinary multidisciplinary artist located in the Chicagoland area. Through a mix of visual and musical artmaking, their work crosses genre and medium in an explosion of art where no idea is “too much”. Drawing on their lived experience in the queer underground art scene of Chicago and Philadelphia in the 2020s, their work reflects an unabashed radical acceptance of the self. Sometimes described as overwhelming and confrontational, Comus’ art incorporates neon psychedelia to lay their queer truth bare for the audience. 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

A former war correspondent turned journalism professor reflects on her journey from reporting in the Middle East to teaching in a college classroom. Jackie Spinner candidly shares how her early, rigid teaching style—shaped by battlefield urgency—softened with motherhood and the adoption of her three neurodiverse sons. Once armored by necessity, she now embraces vulnerability as a path to deeper student connections and more effective learning. Her talk reveals how personal transformation can mirror professional evolution and how shedding the armor she once wore on the frontline has made her a stronger, more human educator—and journalist. Jackie Spinner is a professor of journalism at Columbia College Chicago and faculty advisor to the Columbia Chronicle. She was a staff writer for The Washington Post for 14 years and covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is the editor of Gateway Journalism Review and directed and produced two documentary films, Don’t Forget Me and Morocco, Morocco, which aired on PBS in Chicago in 2022. In Chicago, where she lives with her three Moroccan-born sons, Professor Spinner volunteers in the refugee and veteran communities. She also is an advocate for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, a passion she credits to her autistic son 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

Forty years after earning a communications degree from Columbia College, Dennis Anderson reflects on a life devoted to journalism—a career that shaped his identity and gave him purpose. He led newsrooms through historic events and mentored generations of reporters, only to become a casualty of the industry’s decline. Laid off at 60, he faced not just unemployment, but a loss of identity. Seeking purpose, he turned to substitute teaching—what began as a temporary role became a source of unexpected joy and meaning. Today, as an early childhood outreach coordinator, he helps families and children prepare for the future, reminding us that even after deep loss, renewal is possible—and sometimes, the best opportunities begin when you least expect them. Dennis Anderson, Columbia College Class of 1985, is the family and community engagement coordinator at School District U-46 in Elgin, Illinois. Before transitioning to education, he spent over 30 years as an award-winning newspaper editor across multiple states. Recognized nationally for his community engagement, Anderson led newsrooms honored by Editor & Publisher and state press associations. He was named GateHouse Media’s Editor of the Year and served 11 years on the Associated Press Media Editors board. He lives in Crystal Lake with his wife, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three senior dogs. 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

Every challenge is one we set for ourselves—whether we overcome it or not, it always leads us to a deeper understanding of who we are.被連載壓力逼得喘不過氣的自虐漫畫家，靠著與筆下角色群碰撞的火花，度過漫畫生涯的重重難關。 所有的難關都是自己給的，過了也好沒過也好，因為我們從中更了解自己。HOM is a comic creator who began publishing online in 2013, known for depicting the joys and sorrows of ordinary people in modern cities. Since 2018, HOM has released nine books and received multiple Golden Comic Awards (GCA). With rich industry experience, HOM has also served as a judge and lecturer for comic competitions. Works include Big City Little Things, MAGIC HOUR—THE ACTOR, and PriceLess: A Taiwanese Painter in Paris. Currently serializing PEENKY PROMISE on LINE WEBTOON every Sunday.HOM is a comic creator who began publishing online in 2013, known for depicting the joys and sorrows of ordinary people in modern cities. Since 2018, HOM has released nine books and received multiple Golden Comic Awards (GCA). With rich industry experience, HOM has also served as a judge and lecturer for comic competitions. Works include Big City Little Things, MAGIC HOUR—THE ACTOR, and PriceLess: A Taiwanese Painter in Paris. Currently serializing PEENKY PROMISE on LINE WEBTOON every Sunday. 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