Hear the story of Mrs. Willie Lee Gay, the 95-year-old historian and teacher. Her journey encompasses over six decades of archiving and teaching Texas history. The state of Texas maintains the Willie Lee Gay Collection, which contains the professional and personal papers of teacher and historian Mrs. Willie Lee Gay. This collection, which dates from 1897 to 2012, includes newsclippings, publications, photos, research materials, programs, assorted photocopied images, and organizations that highlight her work as a historian in documenting and preserving the history of African American communities in Houston. Mrs. Willie Lee Gay served as a dedicated history teacher at the K-12 and college level for over six decades. She taught and lived the very history she shared with her students. Mrs. Gay devoted her life to documenting, preserving, and promoting the historical accomplishments of Texans from the 1800s through the 21st century. She championed the inclusion of African American history in classrooms and communities. The Willie Lee Gay Collection is housed in the Houston Public Library and Texas Archives. The collection documents her participation from 1972 in historic preservation and historical organizations in Texas and Houston. As a community influencer Mrs. Gay’s work with the Covington House is an example of how her efforts bridged the gap between academic research and public awareness. She ensured that overlooked voices found their rightful place in the historical record. A lasting tribute to her legacy is Willie Lee Gay Hall at the South Campus of Houston City College.Glenita Shelvin Lampkin is an interior designer and Mary Kay beauty consultant with a passion for transformation - whether it's refreshing a space or elevating personal style. As the owner of Sugar and Soul Sweets her home- base baking business she delights customers with treats that are gaining new fans with every bite. Glenita holds a B.A. in interior design and an Associates Degree from the Art Institute of Houston, she brings creativity, warmth and a personal touch everything she does. 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 today’s VUCA world, “hang in there” has become more than casual advice—it’s a survival strategy. But true resilience isn’t about enduring blindly or pushing harder. It’s about building a strong core that helps us stay steady under pressure. Drawing on the metaphor of physical core strength, this talk explores resilience across four dimensions—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Through practical insights, the speaker shows how strengthening this inner core allows us to navigate uncertainty with clarity, regain emotional balance, and ultimately reclaim a sense of mastery over our own lives. Yvonne Sun is a registered psychological counselor and career development coach, as well as a senior consultant, trainer, and facilitator in leadership development and team building, with 18 years of management experience in large enterprises.She is the co-developer and lead instructor of the AQ® Resilience Quotient Chinese program, the reviewer and translator of the best-selling book Adversity Quotient 1, and the developer of the AQ® Parent-Child Resilience Series and the GRIT® Perseverance Chinese program.Over the years, she has focused on providing organizational development and leadership training for enterprises. 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

Shaurya Singh takes us on a charming and inspiring journey through the eyes of a curious child, showing how wonder shapes the way we see the world. From searching for gods in the clouds to turning injury into creativity, he shares how asking questions and embracing curiosity can transform challenges into discovery. With humour, insight, and a boundless imagination, Shaurya reminds us that every great idea, invention, and adventure begins with wonder—and that our minds are wired to explore, question, and dream. Shaurya Singh is a curious young learner from Pune whose love for questioning the “why” and “how” has shaped his journey. Passionate about acting, football, and drawing, he finds his greatest joy in exploring ideas deeply. Nurtured by The Knowledge Habitat Pune, he continues to seek knowledge beyond the ordinary — driven to explore, create, and inspire. 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

Architect Suhani Lal Sangra takes us on a journey of curiosity, creativity, and resilience. From turning ordinary objects into imaginative creations as a child to overcoming professional struggles and building a successful architectural practice, she shows how wonder can be a lifelong superpower. Through discipline, gratitude, and a relentless spirit of curiosity, Suhani illustrates how challenges become opportunities and how small steps, guided by wonder, can lead to extraordinary achievements. A story that inspires us to stay curious, show up every day, and let wonder shape the future. Suhani is the Principal Architect and Founder of Sparc Design, an award-winning studio known for refined, functional spaces in homes, hospitality, and commercial design. With 20+ years of experience, she continues to shape contemporary Indian design with elegance, innovation, 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

This talk traces Saijal Bansal’s heartfelt journey through change, challenge, and rediscovery. From her early years in boarding school to navigating life across cities and countries, Saijal shares how each unexpected detour shaped her into who she is today. Studying psychology abroad, returning home transformed, and finding her purpose through hypnotherapy—all became milestones in her path toward inner strength. Through creativity, compassion, and a mind wired for wonder, she shows how growth often comes from the roads we never planned to take. This is a story of resilience, warmth, and finding your way back to yourself—one detour at a time. She is a Mental Health Consultant and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and through her practice Apricity Haven, she guides individuals back to inner healing and self-connection. Blending therapy and storytelling, she creates safe, transformative spaces where vulnerability becomes strength, and pain finds purpose — rooted in her belief that no one should have to carry their struggles alone. 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

Morgan dyed her hair Manic Panic green in middle school because she loved standing out. Years later, her face was 10 stories high on the Nasdaq billboard… and she felt empty. Morgan Massie had perfected the performance of leadership—until she realized polish was costing her everything that actually mattered. A raw, funny, science-backed revelation: the most powerful leaders aren’t the most flawless. They’re the most present. Morgan Massie is a leadership strategist, coach, and best-selling author with over 20 years of experience helping leaders grow their impact from the inside out.As the founder of Leadership and Training Concierge, she guides executives, entrepreneurs, and teams to lead with presence, purpose, and heart. Morgan holds a master’s degree in instructional systems design and is currently completing her PhD in business management and leadership studies. Her work has been featured by Forbes, Nasdaq, and major media outlets. Drawing from lived experience and research, Morgan speaks on authentic leadership, connected communication, and the courage to show up real. She believes the future of leadership won’t be written by those who wait—but by those who speak the truth of where they are. 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