What if the deepest conversations we need to have can’t be spoken? In this mesmerizing talk, Duke University Professor of the Practice of Dance Jinqiu Guan reveals how movement can bridge gaps that language cannot—between cultures, generations, and even family members. Sharing her personal story, she recounts how dance became the medium through which she finally connected with her emotionally distant father, transcending cultural norms that discouraged open displays of affection. Blending scholarship, storytelling, and a live performance, she shows how dance can offer a shared language when words are too fragile—or too foreign—to carry the weight of love. Originally from Chengdu, China, Jingqiu Guan is a filmmaker, choreographer, scholar, and dancer. She is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Duke University’s Dance Program. Her work explores cultural identities, diasporic experiences, motherhood, racial and disability justice through multimedia dance performance and film, centering the voices of women, immigrants, people of color, and people with disabilities. Her dance films and documentaries have been presented internationally, earning awards at screendance festivals across the US, UK, India, Norway, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. Jingqiu is currently developing a multimedia dance performance inspired by migration stories connected to trains and railroads. She holds a PhD in Culture and Performance from UCLA, an MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa, and an Ed.M from Harvard. 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

When his vibrant, brilliant sister passed at the hands of Anorexia nervosa, Alex Winn was left not only with grief, but with rage at a system that failed her. In this powerful, deeply personal talk, Winn shares his journey from loss to activism. He exposes the dangerous misconceptions around eating disorders and the devastating lack of resources dedicated to their treatment. With raw emotion and urgent clarity, he calls on us all—health professionals, policymakers, and communities—to face the truth: eating disorders are the deadliest mental illnesses, and we are not doing nearly enough. This is not just a story of one family’s heartbreak; it is a call to action we can no longer ignore. Alex Winn is a graduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill with a background in neuroscience, mathematical modeling, and AI. His research explores brain structure, information flow, and computational modeling to understand complex biological systems.Passionate about science communication and interdisciplinary collaboration, Alex believes impactful ideas emerge at the crossroads of diverse fields. His TEDx talk, inspired by personal experience, examines anorexia, gaps in medical treatment, and the need for a paradigm shift in addressing eating disorders.Beyond research, Alex is active in the recovery community and explores spirituality as a foundation for growth. He challenges his body through gymnastics and optimizes systems for learning, productivity, and well-being. Whether refining mental models, deepening his spiritual practice, or pushing physical limits, he is committed to continuous growth, meaningful change, and inspired contribution. 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

Stepping away from a Division I sport is no easy fit. How do you rebuild your identity and fill the hours once consumed by practice, travel, and competition? For Schwarzbach, leaving his DI wrestling team was both the hardest and most transformative choice he ever made. In letting go, he made room for new passions. Soon enough, Schwarzbach had traded in upper cuts for Java, diving headfirst into the world of coding. Adar Schwarzbach graduated from Duke University in December 2024 with a degree in Computer Science. While at Duke, he rebuilt and modernized GoBringIt, a food delivery app serving Durham restaurants and the Duke community. He previously interned at Apple and PlayStation and worked as a Research Engineer with the Stanford Microfluidics Lab, where he co-authored a paper in Analytica Chimica Acta.Adar originally came to Duke as a recruited Division I wrestler. During his senior year at Palo Alto High School, he won the Reno Worlds national championship at 152 lbs and earned all-state honors. Between his sophomore and junior year, Adar won the California Central Coast Section Championship in his weight class, won the California Greco-Roman state championship, placed third at the California Freestyle state tournament and became a member of the California National Team.This spring, Adar will begin working as a software engineer at a quantitative trading firm in Chicago. 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 happens when time moves forward, but your life stands still? In this powerful and deeply personal talk, William and Bessie Elmore explore the emotional and psychological impact of incarceration through the lens of a life frozen in time. This talk challenges the audience to rethink what justice truly looks like and what it means to sentence someone to prison, highlighting how incarceration doesn't just punish—it suspends. Bessie L. Johnson-Elmore is a dedicated motivator with 32+ years of experience as a support group facilitator and counselor in domestic violence, mental health, and advocacy for incarcerated individuals and their families. She was the first Black female president of Bull City Toastmasters, later earning awards from HUD for a homeowner workshop program and from NAMI for contributions to mental health.A former NAMI Durham Board President, Bessie studied at Rutgers and Seton Hall, continuing her education in Human Services at the University of Phoenix. In 2013, she founded Straight Talk Support Group to assist families of incarcerated individuals. She has worked with nonprofits across multiple counties, volunteered with the ACLU, and facilitated classes at Durham County Jail, Butner Federal Prison, and Troy House. In 2018, she expanded her impact by opening Straight Talk Transitional House, a resource center for justice-involved individuals.To whom much is given, much is required. William Elmore embodies this, dedicating himself to serving others. His unexpected release from Orange County Correctional Facility on December 21, 2015, marked the end of 25 years in North Carolina’s prison system.Known as Will or Mecca, he is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, author, peer support specialist, and advocate. He co-owns SWIT (Success While In Transition) with Tommy Green, a reentry life skills program based on 21 principles for transitioning back into society. Will also co-owns Community Based Landscapers, a second-chance employer focused on giving back. Both of his business partners share his lived experience of long-term incarceration.Prison from the Inside Out, co-authored with Susan Simone, details his journey from a life sentence to freedom. Will continues to mentor youth, support incarcerated individuals, and consult faith-based organizations on prison ministries, transitional housing, and reentry programs. 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 a world shaped by shifting alliances and rising uncertainty, Ashok Kumar Mirpuri brings decades of diplomatic experience to help us make sense of it all. How can a nation stay resilient amid the shifting tides of global change? Ashok reveals insights on Singapore’s place in the world, navigating rapid changes in geopolitics with grace and strength.With the clarity of someone who has navigated the corridors of global power, he offers a grounded perspective on how nations think, what drives geopolitical change, and why timing on the world stage is everything. This talk is a rare opportunity to see the bigger picture, through the eyes of someone who’s lived it. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri is a seasoned diplomat with over 30 years of experience representing Singapore on the global stage. As Singapore's Ambassador to the United States since 2012, Mirpuri has played a key role in strengthening international ties and fostering collaboration between nations. With over 30 years of experience, he has represented Singapore in key international roles, including Ambassador to Indonesia and High Commissioner to Malaysia and Australia.Through his extensive experience, Mirpuri continues to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, driving dialogue and cooperation across borders. 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 a world reshaped by lockdowns and digital acceleration, how do we find belonging? In this thought-provoking talk, Elroy Cheo explores how Web3 isn’t just about cryptocurrency or code, it is about culture.From digital cities to merit-based status systems, this talk is for anyone curious about the future of human connection, and how a new generation is quietly rewriting the rules. If you’ve ever wondered what a community looks like when it’s borderless, gamified, and co-created, take a glimpse into the future we’re already living. Elroy Cheo is a Web3 entrepreneur and the Co-Founder and CEO of ARC, a platform that blends blockchain technology, NFTs, and culture to build meaningful digital communities. With a vision rooted in access and inclusion, Elroy has grown ARC into a dynamic network of creatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators across Asia.At the heart of his work lies a question: how can technology deepen, rather than dilute, human connection? Through ARC, Elroy is exploring what community, status, and belonging could look like in a decentralised future. 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