This talk is about letting go of the things that no longer serve you so you can walk into your NEXT opportunity Brittany Roberts is an educator, leader, and advocate whose journey in education spans over a decade. A proud alumna of UNC Charlotte, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education, and she furthered her leadership path by earning a Master’s degree in School Administration & Leadership from North Carolina A\&T State University.Grounded by her unwavering faith and strengthened through the power of therapy, Brittany credits both as vital tools in navigating life’s challenges.Brittany is joyfully married to her husband, Justin, and treasures her role as a daughter to Angela Robertson and Clifford Atkinson, and a beloved bonus daughter to Mr. Michael and Shenell Thompson. Whether she’s pouring into her students, giving back to her community, or making memories with friends and family, Brittany lives life with intention, purpose, and love. 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

Belonging starts with the language and mindset we choose. Whether it's a job, sports, or developing a new project, this talk discusses chooses your words wisely as you venture through each part of your life. Bobby McNeil Jr. is a nationally recognized an award-winning Talent Acquisition Leader, author, and community builder whose journey began on the basketball court. A standout at Fuquay-Varina High School, he earned a full athletic and academic scholarship to Barton College, where he was part of the underdog 2007 team that made history by winning the NCAA Division II National Championship.After graduating with honors as a student-athlete, Bobby launched his professional path in 2009 as a recruiter. Over the next decade, he became known as one of the most trusted voices in talent acquisition.In 2025, Bobby released his debut book, Cracking the Code, a candid and culturally grounded career guide blending personal stories, lessons learned, and practical strategies for navigating today’s competitive job market. Nicknamed The Career Book for the Culture, it equips readers to pursue their careers with confidence and clarity. 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 Intentional Impact: The Legacy of Innovation & Leadership, Nelson Render shares a powerful framework that helps students approach their goals with daily intentionality. Drawing from his own journey of overcoming poverty, legal challenges, and systemic barriers, Nelson demonstrates how personal struggles can fuel purpose-driven leadership. Through his story, he shows how being deliberate in choices and consistent in effort creates lasting impact—not just for oneself, but for entire communities. His talk challenges audiences to embrace intentional excellence every day as a pathway to building both personal success and broader educational change. Nelson is a visionary educational leader, principal supervisor, and advocate for equity in urban education. A first-generation college graduate who overcame poverty and legal challenges, he understands education as a tool for liberation. With leadership roles spanning from Associate Superintendent to principal and mentor, he has driven student achievement, increased graduation rates, and built sustainable leadership pipelines. Nelson is currently developing the L.I.F.E. (Learning Is Fun with Engagement) framework and writing N10tional Impact, a book on transformative leadership. A sought-after speaker, he challenges conventional views on education and leadership, urging intentionality in creating lasting change. “Be intentionally excellent every day.” 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 Bridging Bias: From Stars to Society, Aman Kar reveals how the same scientific methods used to study the stars can help us understand the biases that shape human belief systems. He explains the science behind biases and how they influence the way we interpret information. By drawing parallels to astronomy—where scientists test, challenge, and refine their models—Aman shows how adopting a similar approach in our daily lives can lead to fuller, more balanced perspectives. His talk invites us to move beyond narrow judgments and embrace a more scientific way of forming opinions about the world and each other. Aman is a PhD candidate in Astronomy at Georgia State University. His research focuses on the behavior of red stars in the solar neighborhood and understanding their habitability potential for hosting planets. Born in Oman and raised in India, he has lived in the US for nearly a decade, first in Wyoming before moving to Georgia. He was the Three Minute Thesis Doctoral Winner in 2023 which sparked his interest in public speaking. Aman also enjoys teaching astronomy to undergradatures and giving presentations to schools across Georgia. 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 his talk, Leading with Stories: Connecting Truths to Inspire & Empower, Michael Ndoye explores how storytelling can be a powerful tool for leadership and growth. Drawing from his journey in finance and his role as Founding President of the Finance Development Society, he illustrates how personal truths and shared narratives can bridge gaps, foster connection, and inspire action. With a passion for education, networking, and mentorship, Michael shows how stories don’t just communicate ideas—they empower others to pursue success and create meaningful impact. Leading with Stories: Connecting Truths to Inspire & Empower Michael is a finance professional with experience in private equity, venture capital, and wealth management. As the Founding President of the Finance Development Society, he empowers students through career readiness. A finance student at Georgia State University, he is passionate about guiding others to success through education, networking, and industry engagement. 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

This powerful performance weaves multiple stories of the Pacific Islands together, bridging the past and the present beautifully. The members of this group are multigenerational, showcasing their cultural roots and family trees in the process. Malialole Polynesian Cultural Arts Ensemble is based in Salt Lake City with a mission to perpetuate Pacific Island culture through music, dance and visual arts. Malialole has been teaching in the community for 20+ years creating many youth art and cultural programs and spaces in the Pasifika community. The focus of the group is to teach culture through service, connecting our community with our rich traditions and heritage instilling a sense of identity and purpose. 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