From school shootings to wildfires, Sam James has seen her generation shaped by disaster. In this fiery talk, she shows how Gen Z is turning rage into resilience—and rebuilding community from the ashes up. Sam James is the CEO and co-founder of the Altadena Recovery Team (ART) created after the Eaton Fire to support the financial and mental wellbeing of the community through distribution drives and community events. She was born and raised in the Altadena area where she is a sixth-generation resident after her family originally placed roots in the area in 1890. Outside of ART, Sam has a BA in Political Science from UCLA and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs as a Luskin Leader in the Field scholarship recipient. 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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- 8:51Beyond Grades: From Zero to Value | Simi Ladipo | TEDxIntercontinental Schools KanoIn this deeply personal talk, Simi shares his journey of self-discovery across cultures and expectations — from growing up in Northern Nigeria, where parental involvement in education was minimal, to adapting to life in Ekiti, where language and comparison became his daily battles. Though he was never the “A student,” his natural curiosity drove him toward science, sparking a lifelong fascination with how things work. Through his story, Simi redefines what it means to have value — showing that true education isn’t about grades or praise, but about curiosity, resilience, and the courage to define your own path. Simi Ladipo is a visionary financial expert entrepreneur and edücator dedicated to equipping young people with tools to succeed early in their financial journey. He has carved a niche as a respected forex and stock trader,crypto investor financial analyst and finance coach He is the founder of SPM Finance Hub and also CEO of Signal Vault, a premium platform offering expert trading signals; professional account management and transformative trading education tailored for ambitious learners and investors. As a philanthropist he has supported widows, orphans and undeserved communities. 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
- 4:31Ask Why — Again | Khadija Izzudeen | TEDxIntercontinental Schools KanoShe challenges us to rediscover the radical simplicity of a question we often forget — Why? She calls why the enemy of ignorance and the heartbeat of revolution, reminding us that true understanding begins when we dare to question everything. Through her powerful reflections, she inspires young minds to keep asking why until it makes people uncomfortable — because every breakthrough, innovation, and change in history began with someone brave enough to ask it. Fifteen-year-old Khadija Izzudeen is a writer and artist with a sharp eye for ideas that matter. With a diploma in public speaking, she channels her thoughts through words and drawings — using creativity to connect with others and make sense of 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
