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TEDxDayton

TEDxDayton Now Accepting Speaker Applications

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The 10th annual TEDxDayton signature event will take place Friday, October 14, in downtown Dayton. Applications are now open as organizers seek local speakers and performers with big ideas to share. TEDxDayton’s mission is to bring the spirit of “ideas worth spreading” to foster deep conversation and connections within the community.

”We’re thrilled to return to a live, in-person show for 2022 after two years of virtual events,” said event co-chair Lizz Mahar. “This one will be extra special as we celebrate 10 years of TEDxDayton speakers, and look forward to what comes next.” This independently organized event will feature TED’s signature format of brief talks, demonstrations and performances.

In search of this year’s presenters, the organizers have issued a “Call for Speakers” on TEDxDayton.com. Anyone with a big idea they want to share, both with the live audience at the event and with the thousands of digital viewers who watch the talks online later, is invited to apply through the website by May 27.

The set from TEDx last year.

Applicants do not need to be professional speakers, and TEDxDayton is looking for a wide range of topics from diverse speakers who can deliver a focused, thought-provoking message in about ten minutes.

 

“We look for speakers who can teach and inspire, and who will still have people talking as they leave the theater,” said event co-chair Cory Owen. “Over the years, we’ve heard remarkable talks on everything from technology to education, design to psychology, economics, social justice, healthcare, the environment…the list of possible topics is almost endless.”

The all-volunteer organizing team will review the applications and invite selected candidates to audition in person. Participants will be notified within a few weeks of auditions if they have been selected to be a TEDxDayton 2022 speaker.

Once selected, speakers will be paired with a mentor who will help them craft their message, refine their script, and practice their performance in the months leading up to the big day. Talks are professionally recorded during the show and released on YouTube a few months later.

“These videos have a long online life beyond the actual event, so we want all of our speakers to give the talk of their lives,” said event co-chair Luther Palmer. “As a former TEDxDayton speaker myself, I know how valuable mentor support and rehearsal feedback is during this process, and we hope to guide this year’s speakers toward talks that they can be proud of for years to come.”

The organizers will host information sessions for prospective speakers throughout the application window, with details to be announced on the TEDxDayton social media channels.

 

Two Nights, 14 Speakers TEDxDayton Goes Virtual Again

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The lineup of speakers for this year’s TEDxDayton Signature Event have been announced. This free event will take place virtually on Tuesday, December 14 and Thursday, December 16 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Over the course of two evenings, 14 local speakers will give talks to share the TEDx spirit of ideas worth spreading. All the speakers auditioned earlier this year and were chosen by the Speakers Committee.

“Last year, we hosted our first ever virtual TEDxDayton Signature Event and learned a lot – especially that the Dayton community will support virtual events like ours,” said Bridget Hutt, Signature Event Committee Co-Chair. “We look forward to bringing this year’s ideas worth spreading directly into people’s homes once again.”

This year’s speakers and their talk titles are:

  • Alex Everett – You Know You’re Dating Your Hairstylist, Right?
  • Ernest Stockton – An Ernest Approach to Recidivism
  • Faheem Curtis-Khidr – Black Leadership in Higher Education: A Call to Action and Equity
  • Jen Burns – Lettuce Talk About Food Waste
  • Josh Sweigart – Local News Is BREAKING… And Why You Should Care
  • Kami Anderson – “Molón de Idiomas” Language Swag in the Foreign Language Classroom
  • Karla Hollencamp – From Widow to Willow
  • Lindsay Ryan – Phone Lines Are Lifelines
  • Mark Bailey – I Need to Speak to Your Manager
  • Marsha Danzig – Flamenco Is My Fight
  • Mary Baldino – We Just Want to Play! What It’s Like for Women in eSports
  • Miri Later – Making Room for Trust in the Doctor/Patient Relationship: It Just May Save Us
  • Ryan Ivory – Being Black Is a Pre-Existing Health Condition
  • Umesh Haritashya – The Wonder of Satellites: Real-World Applications

 

“With concern surrounding the ongoing pandemic, TEDxDayton 2021 will revisit a virtual event format, but just like last year, the impact of our speakers’ talks will resonate just as powerfully with the Dayton community,” said Brenden Wynn, Signature Event Committee Co- Chair. “We look forward to providing another free, virtual event thanks to our partners.”

 

Four Nights of FREE TEDxDayton Talks

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For the first time, this year’s TEDxDayton will be a virtual event featuring four new talks on four nights in November — 16 talks in all — during live-stream events that can be viewed online for free.

The events will be live-streamed on YouTube and at TEDxDayton.com at 7 pm on Nov. 10, 12, 17 and 19 — each one an entirely different program with new talks and performers.

“This is both unusual and exciting for us. In past years when our Signature Event has been done live at the Victoria Theatre, we’ve never released the speaker lineup before the day of the show,” said Brenden Wynn, one of this year’s co-chairs of the event. “This year is different, of course. The pandemic made it necessary to make the event virtual, and this year we want our audience to know what to look forward to when they tune in.”

“It was very important to us to keep TEDxDayton going this year,” said co-chair Bridget S. Hutt. “So many events have been canceled or postponed; knowing how important the ideas and stories of TEDxDayton are to our audience, we wanted to present TEDxDayton 2020 as our gift to the community during this challenging year.”

“What is the same this year, despite the online format, is that our talks, hosts and performers have deep Dayton-area connections and each, in their own way, show anew how this is such a wonderful place to live and work. Our speakers have worked as hard as ever to give the talk of their lives, in the TED spirit of presenting us with Ideas Worth Spreading,” said Ron Rollins, the third co-chair for this year’s event.

The live-stream programs will also feature new performances by Dayton guitar master Jim McCutcheon, the popular longtime host of Discover Classical’s “The Intimate Guitar,” and Ted Yoder, a nationally renowned player of the hammered dulcimer who shares how this beloved folk instrument helped him meet a rock star.

Also on deck is a newly created dance by well-known local choreographer Rodney Veal — also a former TEDxDayton speaker — featuring Dayton Contemporary Dance Company member Brianna Rhodes and music by Josh Strange.

“We’re so proud of the entire group of speakers, volunteers, performers and partners and the great work they’ve put in during this unusual year,” Wynn said.

Here is the lineup for each night’s program:

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 pm

Host: Lisa Wagner
Speakers:
• Daj’za Demmings, discussing intergenerational mentorship.
• Anne Marie Romer and Conor Crippen, discussing Conor’s traumatic brain injury and giving up the burden of trauma.
• Subhashini Ganapathy, sharing how industrial systems engineering is actually fun and improves our world.
• Timothy Nevius, discussing the exploitation of college athletes.
• Performance by Ted Yoder.
The evening will include a Q&A session between Wagner and Demmings about her talk.

Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 pm

Host: Joshua Stucky
Speakers:
• Dr. Ronald Fletcher, former health director for the state of Ohio, on how the AIDS crisis taught us lessons about the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kathleen Wiant, discussing the dangers of hazing and bullying, and how it affected her family.
• Ann Puckett, sharing how DIY isn’t about doing it yourself and actually builds community.
• Amy Riegel, discussing affordable housing and how our zip codes define our opportunities.
• Performance by Rodney Veal and Brianna Rhodes.
The evening will include a Q&A session between Stucky and Fletcher about his talk.

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7 pm

Host: Karen Townsend
Speakers:
• Jacquelyn Wright Palmer, discussing genealogy and her family’s history of enslavement.
• Shomari Payne, discussing the inheritance of poverty.
• Christopher Wyatt, discussing how opioids, overdoses and breathing are connected.
• TEDxYouth@Dayton speakers Dana Clark and Ryann Mescher talk about the non-profit they created to address “period poverty.”
The evening will include a Q&A session between Townsend and Palmer to discuss her talk.

Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 pm

Host: Neal Gittleman
Speakers:
• Jodie Mader, talking about how it feels to be a Luddite in a high-tech world.
• Elijah Muhammad, sharing his personal experience with labor trafficking.
• Joshua Montgomery, discussing how building “Star Wars” droids made him a better teacher. • Charlie Campbell, sharing his personal experience with downsizing and saying goodbye.
• Performance by Jim McCutcheon.
The evening will include a Q&A session between Gittleman and Mader about her talk.

Talks and performances were recorded before small, socially distanced and masked groups of family and friends in October at the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, with the close partnership of staff and students from the College of Liberal Arts.

This year’s event is made possible with support from title partner Wright-Patt Credit Union and our creative partner, Wright State College of Liberal Arts with special thanks to the Theater, Dance, and Motion Pictures Department.

To learn more, visit TEDxDayton.com.

TEDxDayton 2020 Creating New Format

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A new event will be brought to the community this November: TEDxDayton 2020. TEDxDayton has adapted to the current circumstances and are gearing up for an event with a twist on their usual Signature Event.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for the annual TEDxDayton Signature Event have had to change. It is usually held in October at the Victoria Theatre, but this year that is not the case.

Photo by Knack Creative

“2020 is changing the game for everyone, and TEDxDayton is taking advantage of the momentum to innovate and to explore all kinds of new possibilities. After all, innovation is at the very heart of what makes Dayton special.” said Bridget S. Hutt, Signature Event Co-Chair. “We have so many exciting tricks up our sleeve, and we can’t wait to share this year’s event with our fabulous TEDxDayton community.”

This event will still include local speakers who will bring “ideas worth spreading” in topics such as arts, science, education, and more. Local performers will also be included.

“Each year, the goal of TEDxDayton is to identify speakers who deliver unique perspectives on a topic or fresh idea worth spreading.” said Brenden Wynn, Signature Event and Speakers Committee Co-Chair. “While this year has presented opportunities to adjust our strategy, we are proud to have a stellar line up of 2020 speakers who will leave our audiences energized and inspired by talks that will resonate long after the conclusion of the event.”

More information as to the new venue, date of the event, and speaker and performer names will be announced within the coming weeks. For questions, email info@tedxdayton.com.

Call For TEDxDayton 2020 Speakers!

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The 8th annual TEDxDayton Signature Event is now accepting applications from community members. The event will take place on Friday, October 16.

“After the difficult events we faced in Dayton last year, we are more impressed than ever with the sense of community and resiliency we have when we work together. Community leaders in Dayton offer true examples of the strength of the city and its people,” said Bridget Shingelton, who is co-chairing this year’s Signature Event Committee along with Ron Rollins. “TEDxDayton is all about passionate people sharing what they know to try to change the world, one idea at a time.”

TEDxDayton’s mission is to bring the spirit of ideas worth spreading to deep conversation and connections within the community. The event will feature TED’s signature format of brief talks, demonstrations and performances meant to inspire learning and curiosity while encouraging meaningful conversation.

In search of this year’s presenters, the Speakers Committee has issued a “Call for Speakers.” Applicants, who do not have to be professional speakers, can apply at tedxdayton.com/signature-event. TEDxDayton is looking for diverse topics from diverse speakers who can deliver a focused, thought-provoking message in about ten minutes.

For this year’s Signature Event, they will focus on the speaker’s topics in their talks rather than centering around one theme as in the past.

“We made the decision to forgo an underlying theme this year because we wanted to encourage applicants of all backgrounds, expertise, and passions. Our leadership group felt that TEDxDayton 2020 is bold enough to stand alone as our theme and we are hopeful this change inspires more Daytonians to complete a speaker application,” said Brenden Wynn, who is co-chairing this year’s Speakers Committee along with Lance Salyers and Julie Servaites.

“We are seeking a diverse group of individuals, with direct ties to Dayton, who have a new or unique perspective on an idea worth spreading,” continued Wynn. “Our hope is that our speakers inspire the audience, challenge perceptions, and deliver a talk that prompts conversation well after the event is over.”

Aspiring speakers should complete an application by March 23. The Speakers Committee will review applications and invite selected candidates to auditions that will take place on May 4, 7, 12, and 16. Those selected to be TEDxDayton 2020 Signature Event speakers will be notified within a few weeks following auditions.

For inquiries regarding the application process, email Brenden Wynn at brenden.tedxdayton@gmail.com.

TEDxDayton Connect Announces Entertainment

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Tickets for the seventh annual TEDxDayton Signature Event are almost gone! TEDxDayton takes place at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. Tickets cost $50 per person and can be obtained at TEDxDayton.com.

TEDxDayton’s biggest event of the year includes performances by artists, dancers, poets, and musicians from the Dayton area, and features a diverse lineup of locally connected speakers who will share their “ideas worth spreading” on topics ranging across science, education, design, technology, art, history, culture and more. To read more about the speakers for this year, click here. 

The event runs from 12:15 to 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 11:45 a.m. with live music onstage by the Dayton Salsa Project. The afternoon’s program will include two intermissions with snacks and beverages provided.

Pipeshop Quartet

During the event, the Victoria Theatre stage will be graced by performances by the students of the Wright State University Dance Ensemble, led by Terri McWilliams and Gina Walthers; the musical stylings of the Pipeshop Quartet; and poetry from local teacher and spoken word artist, A.Slate. With tickets going fast, the TEDxDayton team encourages attendees not to wait and to purchase tickets today.

Ron Rollins, who co-chairs the event with John Owen and Bridget Hutt says, “Each year, we’ve brought different and varied types of performances to the day to give a fresh flavor to the event and show our audience some of the amazing talent in our midst. We’ve ranged from the dozens of voices of the World House Choir to the beats of Burundian drummers, and from pop bands to classical pianists. This year’s performers will once again bring variety, joy and a different kind of engagement to the stage. They’re part of what makes TEDxDayton special.”

Lance Salyers, who co-chairs the Speakers Committee with Cory Owen and Brenden Wynn, adds, “All change starts with an idea, and the ideas that will be shared from this year’s TEDxDayton stage promise to be thought-provoking and change-inducing. You won’t want to miss this!”

Speakers Announced for TEDxDayton 2019

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The organizers of TEDxDayton have announced the lineup of speakers for this year’s annual Signature Event at the Victoria Theatre on Friday, October 11.

Seventeen speakers will take the stage to give the talk of their lives in the TEDx spirit of ideas worth spreading and sharing. All are from or have strong ties to the Dayton region and were selected after auditioning with the TEDxDayton Speakers Committee, which includes numerous former speakers.
“We’re pleased that this year, for the first time, all of our speakers came to us naturally through the application and audition process,” said John Owen, co-chair of the event. “Nearly 200 people applied this year to audition, and more than 50 people auditioned. Our community has so many smart, creative people with great ideas worth sharing.”

Introducing the…

2019 TEDxDayton Speakers!
Performers to be announced soon.
Anna Baugham
Singer-songwriter

Sharing her experience of writing a song every day for 90 days, and what it taught her.
Criswell Davis
Hardwood Expert

Sharing the importance of wood in design and architecture, and how it affects people’s lives and feelings.
Brandy Foster
Generalist

Sharing the value of generalists in a world full of specialists.
Estelle Gibson
Financial Coach

Sharing the importance of financial independence, especially for women.
Jennie Hempstead
Communication Designer

Sharing how graphic note-taking can boost listening and help our memories.
Kenston Henderson Sr.
Hope Dealer

Sharing how to accomplish racial reconciliation in today’s polarized society.
Benjamin Holmes
Data Scientist

Sharing the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence.
Jad Mubaslat
Bitcoin Advocate

Sharing the history of money and how it has led to cybercurrency such as Bitcoin.
Luther Palmer
Math Evangelist

Sharing how mathematics can be applied to solving important community problems.
Crystal Phillips
Educator

Sharing how she went from being a struggling student to an adult educator, and what children need from their teachers.
Daunielle Rasmussen
Theatre Director

Sharing how the theatre industry is changing to attract younger audiences.
Mary Rogero
Patient Agitator

Sharing how kitchens have evolved to take on special importance in our home lives.
Donna Sanchez
Recovering Overtalker

Sharing how she went a month without speaking, and what it taught her.
Sid Thatham
Engineer

Sharing the power and cultural importance of online memes.
Connie Vaughn
Math Person

Sharing how anyone can be a “math person.”
Dean Waggenspack
Career Coach

Sharing how society should rethink and reimagine retirement.
Herbert Woodward Martin
Poet

Sharing about Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and his literary legacy.
Emcee: Mark Bailey Jr.
Project Architect

Emceeing TEDxDayton 2019 on Friday, October 11 at the Victoria Theatre.
Purchase Tickets Here!

All proceeds directly support future TEDxDayton programming and events like TEDxYouth@Dayton, and the TEDxDaytonSalon events.

❌ Learn more about ticket options/prices here: Ticket Center Stage | TEDxDayton.

❌ For additional information, visit TEDxDayton.com or our social media.
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About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, often in the form of short talks delivered by leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED conferences, including our annual gathering in Vancouver, as well as TEDWomen, intimate TED Salons and thousands of independently organized TEDx events around the world. Videos of these talks are made available, free, on TED.com and other platforms. Audio versions of the talks from TED2019 will also be published to TED’s podcast TED Talks Daily, available on Apple Podcasts and all other podcast platforms.

TED’s open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; TEDx, which licenses thousands of individuals and groups to host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities; the Audacious Project, which surfaces and funds critical ideas that have the potential to impact millions of lives; TEDSummit, which gathers the most engaged members of the global TED community for brainstorms, discussions, performances, workshops and an eclectic program of mainstage talks; and the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED also has a library of original podcasts, including The TED Interview with Chris Anderson, Sincerely, X, and one of Apple Podcasts’ most downloaded new shows of 2018, WorkLife with Adam Grant.

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED, on Instagram at https://instagram.com/ted and on Snapchat at tedtalkshq.

TEDxDayton’s Salon Event Includes Local Chefs and Other Foodies

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Tickets are now on sale for TEDxDaytonSalon | Food which will be held on August 22, 2019 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the PNC Arts Annex located in downtown Dayton.

This is the final TEDxDaytonSalon event of 2019, concluding the first year of the new TEDxDayton series. The half day program will be held at night with local Speakers entertaining the audience, along with a cash bar and a light selection of delicacies.

“This will be a community gathering on all things food related: from the social and relationship connections derived from food, to fermentation and architecture,” said John Farrell, TEDxDaytonSalon Committee Chair, “It’s an opportunity to inspire your mind, and feed your soul.”

Speakers for the August 22nd event include:

  1. Diana Cuy Castellanos, PhD, RDN, LDN – Professor, University of Dayton
  2. Thomas Johnson – Executive Chef, Dayton Cooks
  3. Casey Moninghoff – Mechanical Engineer and Officer, WPAFB
  4. Jazmin Perez – Match Support Specialist, Big Brothers/Big Sisters
  5. Rachel Riddiford, MS, RD, LD, FAND – Clinical Nutrition Director, Dayton Children’s Hospital
  6. Mary Rogero, RA, CPHC – Associate Professor, Architecture and Interior Design,  Miami University
  7. George M. Sideras, CEC, AAC, HGT – Corporate Executive Chef, Nestle Professional
  8. Carrie Walters – Corporate Chef and Culinary Director, Dorothy Lane Market

This event will be moderated by Alexis Larsen, External Affairs Director for The Dayton Art Institute, and Food Critic for Dayton Daily News and Dayton.com.

Tickets for the event are  $30 and can be purchased on tedxdayton.com/salon-food.

TEDxDayton Call For Speakers for Oct 11th Event

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The 7th annual TEDxDayton signature event is now accepting applications from community members. The event will take place on Friday, October 11 at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton, OH.

TEDxDayton 2018 Photo Credit: Knack Creative

TEDxDayton’s mission is to bring the spirit of ideas worth spreading to deep conversation and connections within the community. The event will feature TED’s signature format of brief talks, demonstrations and performances meant to inspire learning and curiosity while encouraging meaningful conversation.

In search of this year’s presenters, the Speakers Committee has issued a “Call for Speakers” on the TEDxDayton website. Applicants, who do not have to be professional speakers, can apply at tedxdayton.com/signature-event. TEDxDayton is looking for diverse topics from diverse speakers who can deliver a focused, thought-provoking message in about ten minutes.

The theme for this year’s signature event is “CONNECT.”

“Each year we receive feedback from the audience that one of the highlights of TEDxDayton is the opportunity to connect with Daytonians from all walks of life and perspectives, and it is fitting TEDxDayton recognizes the value of those connections,” said Brenden Wynn, who is co-chairing this year’s Speakers Committee along with Cory Owen and Lance Salyers.

“Staying true to a core tenant of TEDxDayton, we are looking for speakers who have a big idea worth sharing,” continued Wynn. “This can be a new idea, or a unique perspective on an existing idea. While a talk doesn’t have be formed around the idea of ‘connection,’ we do hope our slate of speakers can connect with their audience in a way that keeps their idea worth sharing alive long after the event.”

Aspiring speakers should complete an application by March 24. The Speakers Committee will review applications and invite selected candidates to auditions that will take place on May 6, 7, 11 and 14. Those selected to be TEDxDayton 2019 signature event speakers will be notified within a few weeks following auditions.

For inquiries regarding the application process, email Brenden Wynn at bwynn82@gmail.com.

Introducing TEDxDayton Salon

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2019 is the first year for TEDxDayton Salon events. Education, at all levels and ages, is a priority for our community; and we are fortunate to have nationally renowned Educating thought leaders, subject matter experts and interested parties in our community. Hence, Salon event #1 will be devoted to Education and feature eight incredibly thought provoking speakers.

Saturday, February 23, 2019
• 9-11:30 a.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)
• Cox Arboretum (6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton, OH 45449)

Tickets are just $21 and will go on sale Saturday, January 5, 2019. For more information, please visit tedxdayton.com/salon-education

Do You Have Something To Say at TEDxDayton 2018?

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On Friday, October 12th TEDxDayton will return for what will hopefully be a sixth sellout event,  with about 20 speakers taking the stage to share their thoughts, beliefs and passions.  And if you believe you’ve got what it takes to be one of them, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ve got to say.   They’ll want to know what your idea is, why it’s worth spreading, why you’re the right person to talk about it and what your call to action to the audience will be!

The official Call For Speakers is now open and here’s the link to apply.

Organizers will consider speakers who can present ideas in technology, entertainment, design and social topics, among others. Ideas could include the evolution of social responsibility, the meaning of authenticity to different generations, the future of unmanned systems technology and impact, rehabbing the river for recreation, and the importance of water in our lives, for example. Formats include ideas worth spreading, jaw-dropping technology, an amazing personal story, new research, fresh takes on a unique trend, or any idea that fascinates or educates.

Selected candidates will then be asked to audition in a series of TEDxDayton Call for Speakers. “The Call for Speakers is how our TEDxDayton organizers reach into the community to find the best and brightest – and often undiscovered –  thinkers, doers and creatives to the TEDx stage,” said speakers committee co-chair Ron Rollins. “We can’t wait to see who turns out.”

Need some inspiration?  Check out the video’s from 2017 speakers here.

2017 TEDxDayton Speaker Videos

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Dayton’s 5th edition of TEDx was held this past October, featuring  21 individuals who presented on this year’s theme—CURRENT. “’Current’ evokes energy, movement, and the pursuit of knowledge, and it also holds great significance for the history and landscape of our community,” said TEDxDayton Co-chair Diane Farrell. “Every year, we look for a theme that carries layers of meaning. We want the audience to come into the experience with their own ideas and their wheels already turning, and then we want them to encounter something unexpected.

Each of this years speakers were captured on tape and we present those video’s here for you:

Bring Back Shop Class | Daniel Badger

The Director of the Packard Museum in Dayton, Daniel advocates for skilled trades to be something “strived for”, rather than “settled for”. Dan has a passion for building and restoring cars and airplanes and loves sharing that passion with others. He firmly believes that hands-on exposure to trade skills is an incredibly important component in a well-rounded education. In his role as director at America’s Packard Museum in Dayton, he works with local schools and youth organizations to give students hands-on experience repairing and restoring antique cars. Dan also consults for local manufacturers to assist in integrating 3D printing technologies into their development and prototyping workflows.

The Power of Silence | Neal Gittleman

The Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra talks about the importance of silence – in music, as well as in our lives. Neal Gittleman has been a professional conductor for 35 years. This is his 23rd season as conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. His passion is music and bringing that music to life through history as well as sound. For decades, he has been talking to his concert audiences to give greater understanding of the music he loves. Speaking in front of an audience at TEDxDayton, however, is a first for Neal! Hopefully, the music will carry him along.

Trey Stone and The Ringers | Trey Stone

Trey Stone is very proud to add TEDxDayton to his long list of accomplishments in the music and entertainment world. For 15 years, Trey served as music director at The Second City, the famed comedy institution in Chicago. There, he collaborated with many of the nation’s top names in comedy, theater, television and film. He currently leads his own group, Trey Stone and the Ringers, and is a founding member of the tango ensemble Tiempo Perdido. Trey also tours nationally and internationally with Jim Belushi and the Board of Comedy and is music director at Dayton’s Black Box Improv Theater.

Finding Confidence in Conflict | Kwame Christian

Director of the American negotiation Institute, Kwame teaches us about an alternative way to resolve conflict. Kwame Christian is a business lawyer and the director of the American Negotiation Institute. In this role, he serves as a negotiation consultant for attorneys and for companies closing large business deals. He also conducts live training sessions for organizations. Kwame hosts the podcast “Negotiate Anything,” where he interviews successful professionals and shares powerful persuasion techniques.

Meeting in the Middle | Julie L. Williams & Steven Kniffley

Two people from wildly different backgrounds challenge each other–and you–to examine biases, to share personal traumas and triumphs, and to take responsibility. Dr. Julie Williams is a professor in the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University. As a professor of clinical psychology and member of the disability community, she teaches and encourages her doctoral psychology students and colleagues to locate themselves at the source of suffering in society. Julie is known for saying two things to the difficult dialogues around privilege, power and oppression: “speak your truths” and “lean in.”

Dr. Steven Kniffley is an assistant professor at Wright State University in the School of Professional Psychology. He is also a board-certified licensed child psychologist in the State of Ohio. Steven’s area of expertise is research and clinical work with Black males. Specifically, his work focuses on understanding and developing culturally appropriate interventions for Black male psychopathology as well as barriers to academic success for this population. Steven has written four books on Black male mental health, Black males and the criminal justice system, and academic achievement.

Exercise Through Cancer Care | Karen Wonders

If you received a life-altering cancer diagnosis, would your first action be to hit the gym? Karen shares why exercise should become a key part of cancer treatment plans despite the barriers that make it a challenge.
Dr. Karen Wonders is the founder and director of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance and professor of exercise physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to make exercise part of the standard of care for those battling cancer. Through Maple Tree, Karen provides free exercise training, nutrition counseling, and emotional support to hundreds of cancer survivors every month at five locations across the Miami Valley. She was named one of the Dayton Business Journal’s 2017 40 under 40, and Maple Tree has been awarded “Best in Dayton” for health and fitness four years in a row. Karen is married to her college sweetheart, Andrew, and they have seven (yes, seven!) children.

The Ripple Effect of Addiction | Brennan Harlow

We often hear about the effects of substance abuse on the individual, but what about the impact it has on those around the individual. A Junior at Chaminade-Julienne, Brennan shares his personal story about that ripple effect.  Brennan  is a junior at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. He is on the varsity swim team and plays tennis. Brennan is also heavily involved in performing arts at school. He loves singing in his a cappella group, Phoenix, and does improvisational acting. After high school, he hopes to become an electrical engineer and has dreams of working for Apple. Brennan is driven by his love for his family and community, and he hopes that by sharing his story he can make an impact in the greater Dayton area. Brennan’s talk is adapted from his popular TEDxYouth@ Dayton performance, given earlier this year.

Pianist | Jonathan Luo

Jonathan  is a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Mason Middle School. He began his musical studies at the age of 6 at Leung Studios and still studies with Dr. Benita Leung. Despite his young age, Jonathan has already been recognized with many top prizes. His first-place accolades include the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, The Nathaniel Patch Elementary Division and overall Grand Prize Winner, OMTA Graves Piano Competition (in both solo and duet), 88-Tri-State Concerto Competition, Dayton Public Radio Young Talent Search (in which he was the youngest winner), OMTA Buckeye State Winner, and The International Young Artist Piano Competition in Washington, D.C. Jonathan was also one of two featured young artists at the 2017 WDPR Catch a Rising Star Gala in Dayton.

 

The Woman You Become | Rosalind Jackson

An OB/GYN for over 18 years, “Dr. Roz” explains that menopause is more than night-sweats and hot flashes. Dr. Roz Jackson promotes wellness for women at Total Health & Wellness OBGYN LLC. She has practiced women’s healthcare for more than 18 years. She is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist. She completed her medical training at Wright State School of Medicine, her residency at Miami Valley Hospital and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and her undergraduate courses at Tennessee State University. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton Humanitarian Award for 2014. Dr. Roz was named one of Dayton’s Top 25 Women to Watch in 2015.

Just Your Average Mohamed | Mohamed Al-Hamdani

As an Iraqi-American, Mohamed challenges the listener to recognize that Muslims have been a part of American history since the country’s inception. At 10 years old, Mohamed Al-Hamdani came to Dayton as a refugee with his family. After graduating from Wright State University, Mohamed worked with the Department of Defense as a cultural advisor to the Marines, where he developed and implemented cultural immersion training for Marines prior to their deployment to Iraq. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law and a member of the Ohio Bar. He works at CareSource, a managed-care organization in Dayton. As a Dayton Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award recipient in 2016, Mohamed has been an outspoken advocate for immigrants and refugees.

Generation Z: Making a Difference Their Way | Corey Seemiller

As a college professor, Corey noticed a change in her newest college students–Generation Z. Her research has led her to uncover how this generation challenges the norms of our current society, and what promises that might hold for the future. Corey Seemiller is an educator, researcher and author on issues related to leadership and civic engagement. Corey received her Ph.D. in higher education and serves as a faculty member in the Department of Leadership Studies in Education and Organizations at Wright State University. She has worked in higher education for more than 20 years, fueling her passion for developing the leadership capacity of college students.

Your Second Adolescence | Kathleen Druffner

It’s been said that seniors go through a “second childhood”, but instead, what if they go through a “second adolescence”? Kathy Druffner is the owner of Druffner Professional Organizing. She is a 1989 graduate of the University of Dayton with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. Kathy has always been fascinated by human behavior and how participants can experience the same event and have vastly different recollections and interpretations. She has found that the simple act of listening can foster mutual respect, dispel misconceptions, and bridge gaps of disagreement.

The Freedom of Forgiveness | Kenneth Goodrum

The Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at Central State University advocates for forgiveness, if only for yourself. Ken Goodrum was raised in Cleveland, and is the assistant director of student conduct and community standards at Central State University in Wilberforce. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from Central State and spent half of his life as an advocate for students, especially students who will be the first to go to college in their families – or “first generation” college students. Ken’s devotion to students has allowed him to serve in different capacities, such as corrections officer, football coach, residence hall coordinator, and with programs, such as Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search. Ken is married and has four sons.

 

A Literate Life | Bridget Shingleton

Do you realize how many written words you process each day? Bridget shows us how often we take literacy for granted and how the power to read can change a life.
As a graduate of the University of Dayton in 2011 and 2016, Bridget Shingleton has had the joy of teaching students of many ages, ability levels, and native languages. She taught
creative writing at Stivers School for the Arts for two years before teaching English as a Second Language at an after-school academy in South Korea for one year. Following that, Bridget taught her way through a master’s degree in English at UD, while coaching student writing in The Write Place. Today, she manages marketing and communications for the Brunner Literacy Center. Bridget believes in literacy’s power to improve lives.

 

Everyone Provides Kinship Care | Adrian McLemore

Adrian has the unique perspective of growing up in the foster care system and later providing kinship care to his niece and nephew. He shares his experiences with both systems and explains why he believes kinship care is the better option.  Adrian’s true passion is serving children and families. Having emancipated from foster care at the age of 18, Adrian has dedicated his life to serving others. He is the co-founder of numerous organizations, initiatives and programs dedicated to improving the lives of children and families across Ohio and throughout the country. Adrian attended Wright State University and holds a degree in political science.

Start Here | Crystal Michelle Perkins

Crystal Michelle Perkins finds inspiration in the void left within herself from never performing the first dance she ever choreographed. That feeling of non-completion has become her motivation and starting point to continue creating more dances, including this beautifully choreographed performance. Crystal Michelle Perkins is a choreographer from Dayton. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Dance at Ohio State University. She also serves as rehearsal director for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC).

 

Trusting Automation….or Not | Bond R. “Dick” Hattershire

Technology is changing at a rapid pace, but can it evolve with a characteristic humans crave: trust? Dick Hattershire is a part-time consultant to Leidos, a large science and technology company. He is retired Air Force with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology (clinical orientation) with experience in research and development, including human factors experimentation, and he is co-author on two Air Force technical reports.

 

Kindness You Can Hold in Your Hand | Olive Wager

In a world filled with texts, tweets, and likes, Olive knows the power of something a little more personal: a handwritten card. Through her stories, she shares the tremendous impact you can have on someone’s life for just the price of a postage stamp. Olive Wagar, owner of Organized by Olive LLC, helps overwhelmed people discover the less cluttered side of life. She writes a weekly blog at www.organizedbyolive.com. Olive volunteers her time in church ministries for women and children. She enjoys sending cards, playing classic games, listening to piano music and visiting libraries.

Memory Door to Art | Terry Welker

Terry explains how his own fond memories of rain led him to create one of his most recognizable sculptures and he gives us permission to use our own memories to experience art on our own terms. Terry Welker is a sculptor/architect and distinguished Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He creates lightweight, suspended and kinetic sculptures that come from his passion for architecture, poetic space and meaningful places. Influenced largely by modern sculptors like Calder and Bertoia, Terry works to extend visual languages by animating form, space and surface with motion. His goal is to find shared identification of memorable forms, associations, multiple meanings, and the simple enjoyment of being lost in the moment.

Healthcare is a Verb | Joe D’Silva

The inventor of technologies that provide personalized medication products, Joe encourages us to stop talking about “healthcare”, and start talking about “care of health” Joe D’Silva is the founder and CEO of Patients’ & Consumers’ Pharma. Based in Dayton, P&C Pharma invents technologies that provide personalized medication products. The company’s first invention produces liquid oral medication products for patients with swallowing disorders. Joe is trained as a pharmacist and physical chemist, worked in pharmaceutical R&D, and believes that scientists should make life better for all.

First Responder Corps | Steve Schwartz

What happens when you call 911 in a developing nation? Steve proposes we look back on our own history to ensure everyone around the world has access to dependable emergency services. Steve Schwartz is chief executive officer of Lion Group Inc., a 118-year-old global family business that is based in Dayton and is a leader in its three business sectors: first-responder protective equipment, fire-training equipment, and equipment lifecycle management. Steve earned progressively greater responsibilities as a fourth-generation family owner since he started his career in 1989. During his tenure, he has led the company’s development of many innovations and has led it into international markets, joint ventures, acquisitions and divestitures.