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, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. 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).

Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, Alabama, 35229
United States

Ben Meadows

Teacher

Ben Meadows is an emergency teacher at Pinson Valley High School.

Carla Jean Whitley

writer + editor

Cat-lover and yogi Carla Jean Whitley is a writer, editor and teacher based in Birmingham and has written for multiple media outlets across U.S. She is also the author of "Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: How the Swampers Changed American Music" and "Birmingham Beer."

Greg Kawell

Professor of Computer Science at Samford University

Greg Kawell has a Masters of CS from Colorado State University and teaches CS at Samford University. He has been fascinated by autonomous cars since reading about the idea back in the days of Popular Science magazines. His interest was renewed in 2005 with the first DARPA Grand Challenge.

Melea Stephens

Advocate Against Sex Trafficking + Founder of Porn Harms

Melea Stephens is a therapist and an advocate against sex-trafficking. She launched an anti-pornography, anti-trafficking billboard campaign on I-20, an interstate known as “the human trafficking corridor in the US.” Her work sparked a national movement.

Melissa Kendrick

Owner of Sojourn's Fair Trade Store

Melissa Kendrick is the founder of Magic City Harvest, the former national director of the Camus Outreach Opportunity League, and the founder and owner of Sojourns, the first and only fair trade store in Birmingham, Alabama. She has been a contestant on "The Price is Right" and was asked by President Clinton to be the US ambassador at the UNESCO meetings in France.

TK Thorne

Writer + One of Birmingham's First Female Cops

TK served as one of Birmingham's first female police officers and the first Jewish female officer. She retired as captain and became the executive director of City Action Partnership. TK is also the author of three books that have won several awards.