D'vorah's talk reveals how anyone, regardless of technical background, can transform AI from an intimidating tool into their creative superpower for positive change in the world. D'vorah Graeser is an entrepreneur, scientist, and author who has been fearlessly exploring technology since building her first computer at age 16. With a PhD in pharmacology and experience as a programmer on the Human Genome Project, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of human creativity and technological innovation. As a US Patent Agent, founder of a successful tech company, mother, grandmother, and ultramarathon runner, D'vorah embodies the multifaceted approach to life that she advocates for in technology. 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

In this dynamic talk, Gary redefines chaos—not as something to fear, but as fuel for growth. Drawing from his New York roots and decades immersed in cultural and digital revolutions, he shows how disruption can become the spark for innovation and transformation. His message is a rallying call to embrace uncertainty and turn unpredictability into progress. Gary J. Nix, known as the brandarchist, is a strategic innovator whose career spans over three decades in branding and digital transformation. 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 if the secret to discovering our hidden strengths wasn’t avoiding discomfort, but learning to get comfortable with being uncomfortable? Tanushri is a 12-year-old middle schooler, student of Indian classical music, black belt in Taekwondo, avid reader, and gamer who believes in the power of curiosity, persistence, and gradual growth. In this uplifting and relatable talk, Tanushri shows how everyday moments like speaking up in class, trying something new, or going on an exhilarating amusement park ride can transform us when we shift our mindset from fear to curiosity. By simply trying, and taking baby steps into the unfamiliar, we begin to grow stronger, more confident, and more resilient. She also shares a practical framework of four simple questions that anyone can use to face new challenges: What’s the WORST thing that will happen if I DO it?What’s the WORST thing that will happen if I DON’T do it?What’s the BEST thing that will happen if I DO it?What’s the BEST thing that will happen if I DON’T do it?Through this lens, she invites us to see discomfort not as something to avoid, but as a guide toward hidden capabilities waiting to be unlocked. Her message is clear: when we practice getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, we discover strengths and possibilities we never knew we had. Tanushri Sriram is a thoughtful and confident young speaker who inspires others to step outside their comfort zones. Once a shy student who hesitated in raising her hand in class, Tanushri learned that true growth begins with stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Her TEDx talk shares relatable personal moments of placing herself in unfamiliar situations, facing fears with a mindshift change and her subsequent growth. Guided by the mantra, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” she encourages friends and family to try new experiences, make venturesome choices, and find hidden capabilities within themselves. 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

In “Taking Grades Out of Learning,” Dr. Jing Williams reflects on her transformation from a grade-obsessed student to an educator who practices ungrading. She shares how focusing on feedback, revision, and reflection rather than points reduces student stress, fosters curiosity, and cultivates authentic learning and growth. Jing A. Williams is Associate Professor of Social Studies Education at the University of South Dakota (USD). She teaches elementary and secondary social studies methods courses. She is the three-time recipient of the Faculty Excellence Awards in Teaching at the School of Education at USD. In 2024, she was the keynote speaker at the Online Faculty Symposium hosted by USD’s Center for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Williams’ research interest focuses on the global perspective of social studies education. She is the lead author of Teaching with a Global Perspective: Approaches and Strategies for Secondary Social Studies Teachers, published by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) in 2024. She is the Book/Media Review Editor of the Journal of International Social Studies, the official publication of the International Assembly of the NCSS. 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

In her TEDx talk, Jade explores what it truly means to take ownership of your career, even if it means breaking the rules or rewriting them completely. Through her personal journey, she empowers the next generation to embrace uncertainty, trust their instincts, and take the first steps in designing their dream careers. Jade Walters is a multi-hyphenate marketer, consultant, and creatorpreneur working at the intersection of early career recruiting and brand storytelling. A proud first-gen, STEM HBCU graduate, Jade has held past roles at Ulta Beauty, TikTok and WayUp. Inspired by her struggles during her post-grad job search, she launched The Ninth Semester, an early career resources platform now supporting over 200,000 students and recent graduates. 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

In her talk, How Fried Chicken Started a Movement to End Campus Hunger, Paige shows how small actions can spark lasting change and invites others to be the ones who start it. Paige Swanstein is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Student Basic Needs Coalition, a national nonprofit working to end campus hunger and homelessness. Her journey began not in a boardroom but behind the counter of a fried chicken restaurant, working multiple jobs to stay in school while navigating food insecurity herself. Today, she leads a movement that has connected students across the country to over $5 million in food resources, empowering them to access critical support like SNAP and housing. Her work has been featured in Forbes and Fast Company. 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