Anyone can - and should - take action to impact the life of one person. But transformation and community-change comes through the power of collaborative action. Dr. Cheryl Jackson is a distinguished social entrepreneur and community leader whose visionary leadership has transformed lives across multiple cities. As the founder of Minnie’s Food Pantry—a nationally recognized, award-winning organization—she has led efforts to provide over 31 million meals to children and families in need, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to social impact and community service.Under her leadership, Minnie’s Food Pantry has expanded from a modest 500-square-foot facility to a state-of-the-art 28,000-square-foot operation, equipped with a Life Lab training center and social enterprise store. Her organization’s success is driven by a dedicated team of over 40,000 volunteers and strategic partnerships with prominent individuals and corporations such as Oprah Winfrey, Mark Cuban, Tyler Perry, and Jeffrey Katzenberg. 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

With thoughtful development and thoughtful execution, artificial intelligence can usher in a new era of abundance that will allow more to take control of their own healthcare journey. Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, M.D., J.D., is a healthcare strategy executive and speaker, focusing on the intersections of healthcare, AI, digital innovation, and technology. He pursued dual-doctorates in medicine and law and graduated with distinguished honors, focusing his scholarship on the impacts of innovation and AI on healthcare. Dr. Balasubramanian’s career as a strategy consultant and technology executive has positioned him as a sought after and trusted advisor to C-suite leaders, executives, and Fortune 500 companies. He draws upon his clinical training, legal education, and background in management to analyze and advise on the operational and business frameworks that impact organizations and enterprises. He is an avid reader of non-fiction books and enjoys writing in his free time. 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

Climate change often feels overwhelming and disconnected from our daily lives, which makes progress slow. At YCIS Hong Kong, the students explored how empowering young people to align their passions with climate action can lead to tangible solutions. Through interdisciplinary collaboration—scientists painting CO₂-absorbing murals, gardeners and tech enthusiasts building sustainable herb gardens, and creating pathways from recycled materials—they transformed climate action into something visible and achievable. This talk will highlight how student-led, passion-driven initiatives can drive meaningful change, demonstrating that classrooms can be the starting point for collective climate solutions. The speaker hopes to inspire a new wave of environmental action. Fiona is a higher school student passionate about combining environmental stewardship with innovative solutions. As a member of Corallium, Fiona manages aquatic ecosystems and teaches younger students about marine biodiversity, while also writing for the Advocacy Club to raise awareness on global and local issues. Fiona co-founded and leads the Green Collective, empowering peers to take tangible climate action. With a passion for economics - earning a Higher Distinction in the World Economics Cup and completing a Stanford University credited course - and a love for nature, explored through sports training and competitions, she strives to create meaningful change in climate action. 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 deeply reflective and engaging TEDx talk titled 'The Benefits of Bringing Humanity into the Workplace', Isabelle Nuttall explores how aligning your work with your values can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful career. Drawing from her own journey of navigating early professional life, Isabelle challenges the idea that doing what you're “good at” is always the right path and shows how taking time to reflect, reassess, and realign can transform not just our careers, but the way we live and contribute to 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 Isabelle Nuttall is a passionate advocate for integrating humanity into the professional sphere to foster personal, societal, and environmental growth. Drawing from her diverse experiences at Lancaster University, within start-ups, and in her early corporate career, Isabelle has come to realise that compassion, integrity, accountability, and openness are not just human principles—they are also key drivers of professional success and sustainability.In her TEDx talk, "The Benefits of Bringing Humanity into the Workplace," Isabelle will share her insights on how embracing emotional intelligence and values-led leadership can transform workplaces and pave the way for a more purposeful, sustainable future. She will explore the challenges and rewards of navigating this path, offering a compelling vision for how individuals can align their work with their values to create positive change. 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 electrifying performance, Shivam Dhol Tasha Parthak brings the ancient power of Dhol Tasha to life, filling the auditorium with the sound of courage, victory and celebration. Shivam Dhol Tasha Pathak is a groundbreaking Indian-American drum ensemble founded in 2014 in North Texas. Blending ancient tradition with bold modern energy, the group brings the powerful sounds of dhol tasha—traditional Indian drums—into contemporary spaces and global moments.Inspired by their name, Shivam—a fusion of “Shiva” and “Om”—the group channels both spiritual resonance and rhythmic force in every performance. Their members come from diverse backgrounds, united by culture and a shared love of percussion.Shivam has taken center stage at major events, including the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, NBA and NHL games, and the 2019 “Howdy Modi” rally. In 2025, they became the first Indian dhol tasha group to perform at a U.S. Presidential Inaugural Parade.More than performers, Shivam is a cultural movement—celebrating heritage, fostering unity, and reimagining tradition one powerful beat at a time. 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

Understanding the rhetoric of the body can help us understand the ways we communicate meaning to others and ourselves. Dr. Khimen Cooper began her teaching journey as a fitness instructor during her undergraduate years, bringing that same dynamic energy to the English classroom as a graduate student in 2011. She earned her doctorate in Rhetoric and Composition from Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M), with a focus on Rhetoric Theory. Specializing in Rhetoric and Children’s/Young Adult Literature, Khimen teaches a wide range of English courses, from developmental reading and writing to First-Year Composition and advanced Literature classes. Critical Pedagogy is vital element in each of her courses and she recently authored, F*ck The Five Paragraph Essay: A Writing Handbook for College (And Maybe Even The “Real World”). She’s passionate about cross-disciplinary communication and often collaborates with colleagues both within and beyond her field to emphasize the importance of writing and communication across contexts. 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