Theme: Friction

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).

900 NC Music Factory Boulevard
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28206
United States

Possibility Project - Charlotte

This season marks our 15th year in developing the next generation of community leaders. The Possibility Project-Charlotte encourages young people to be aware of their potential as community activists and performing artists. Each year, an Ensemble of 60 young people from all across Charlotte-Mecklenburg public, charter, and private schools experience a process where they: - Learn the skills and techniques of creativity, negotiation, and collaboration - Develop their self-confidence and self-awareness - Use a constructive approach in resolving a myriad of conflicts - Demonstrate social responsibility - Commit to the pursuit of positive individual and social change

Allison Billings

Allison has over fifteen years of experience improving the livability of cities. As Vice President for Neighborhood Development, Transportation & Sustainability for Charlotte Center City Partners, Allison is responsible for advocacy on behalf of five urban neighborhoods and the small businesses therein and targeted infrastructure investments to support their growth and development. Allison earned a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Ecology and Political Science from Emory University.

Andi Stevenson

Andi Stevenson is currently the executive director of the Lee Institute, which offers strategic consulting support to the nonprofit sector, government, community initiatives and foundations across the Carolinas. Prior to joining Lee in 2012, she was president of Charlotte’s Community School of the Arts, which teaches music and art to more than 3,500 students annually. For the last twenty years, she has worked for artistic, charitable and creative organizations in Fort Worth, Dallas, Philadelphia and Charlotte, including art museums and major performing arts centers. She earned a BA from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the McColl School of Business at Queens University, and she volunteers, speaks, teaches and facilitates widely. When not behaving like a respectable executive, she dances at Metropolitan Ballroom and competes in the International Latin dances. She dances with her instructor, Ranko Bogosavac, and has become an unapologetic connoisseur of sequins, beading and fringe.

Brandon Cullen

In my past life as a struggling minor league hockey player it took me 9 years to grind my way into my first NHL game. In this very same week I signed my first NHL contract and also received a career ending conclusion, I never laced up my skates to play again.

Chris Hannibal

Hannibal is a card slinging magician, storyteller, mentalist and comedian who began as a street magician and now appears at exclusive private and corporate events around the world.

Damon Barron

I am creating the next generation of Urban Forestry. With the understanding that intentional planting of the right species can create a commodity in Urban Forest rather than a waste product. With a 15+ year background in the supply chain of commercially forested lumber and wood products I see a vision to the future of 10 billion inhabitants and the need to pay more attention to the local resource at hand, regardless where that might be.

Deborah Bosley

I have spent the past 20 years helping Fortune 100/500 corporations, non-profits, and government agencies create written information that is easy for people to understand and use. I believe that only by communicating with clarity, conciseness, and credibility can our democracy thrive ad organizations understand the power of “leading with simplicity” As an advocate for plain language, I believe that people have the right to understand information that affects their lives, and they should “demand to understand.” I’m always astonished that people shrug when I ask: “Why would you agree to or sign something you don’t understand?”

Dee Lanier

“Sociologist turned Technologist,” Dee Lanier is a passionate and energetic educator and learner with over a decade of instructional experience on the K-12 and collegiate level. Dee holds Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Sociology with special interests in education, race-relations, and inequality. From 2007-2012 Dee served at Crossroads Charter HS as a full-time Vocational Studies teacher, Testing Coordinator and Title I Director. Dee also served as the Technology Catalyst for the Lower School at Trinity Episcopal School and is currently the Executive Director of UNCOMMEN, a nonprofit organization that leverages technology for social change, and is a board member and Tech Coach at Charlotte Lab School. Dee is also a featured speaker at several Global Summits featuring Google for Education and curator of all things #thinkopen.

Joel Tracey

From dance music, to the arts community, underground dinners and food community, Joel Tracey has poured his passion into the city since moving to Charlotte in 2005. From these experiences Joel has helped in the development of Culture Initiative, Cheshire Dinner Society, BMCofNC Charlotte, Piedmont Culinary Guild, as well as a few music and beer events. By trade, he is a brand identity & concept development graphic designer working with brands like Dr. Martens, Robert Wayne, Salud Bottle Shop, and Papi Queso. With an infectious personality and love for all things culture, Joel has managed to curate Charlotte cool.. fun unique experience that help make the city unique.

John Austin

John Austin grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. After graduating from Garinger High School, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he met his wife Pam. They have been married 35 years and have three grown children: Chris, Meredith and Matthew. For 28 years, John served on the Young Life staff, a non-denominational ministry for young people, first training in Atlanta, Georgia for three years and then moving to Chapel Hill serving in that community for nine years. In 1991, he moved back with his family to Charlotte, NC and work for the next fifteen years as the Charlotte Young Life Area Director and for the last six years of his career also serving as the Greater Charlotte Regional Director.

Oliver Lewis

I pretty much did what most people typically wouldn’t do. As a engineering and premed student at Penn State, and someone who was always good at math and science, I found myself unsatisfied pursuing those as a career path. After 2 years, and much thought, I realized I didn’t have an answer to a simple question we ask kids all the time, and that’s, what do you want to be when you grow up? My decision then, was to quit school and my job. I road-tripped-it in my car for a few months. I made my way down to friends house in South Carolina and started making art for reasons beyond me.

Richard Israel

Born and raised in London, England and at home in Charlotte, NC, I have always been a romantic at heart. I am drawn to sentimental moments, gorgeous atmospheres, and beautiful light. My work is frequently described as fashionable, timeless and emotive, but to me my photographs are simply reflections of the marriage of life and art that is always present around me. I have a passion for film, antique cameras, and handmade prints, and I’m compelled by an inextinguishable pursuit for meaningful photography and the artful life. I’ve been a working photographer for 25 years.

Robbie Warren

Robbie Warren is a Charlotte native and a self-made woman who built a hugely successful interior design business around her unique, creative spirit combined with a strong emphasis on personal integrity and clarity of vision. Her spiritual path has its roots in Native American tradition but has developed through Robbie’s experience into a practice she calls Earth Medicine. The emphasis of Earth Medicine is reverence and respect for all living beings, conscious connection to Spirit and a keen awareness of the lessons life has to offer. Her journey along this path has given her many opportunities to work with some amazing spiritual teachers as well as other visionaries. She was given the Medicine name Otter Woman Standing by her Ancestors and Spirit Guides as she works within the other realms.

Sam Wazan

Founder of Parenting for Humanity, a combat-zone & sectarian civil-war survivor, you will hear Sam Wazan’s uncensored account of the forces that grip the fighters and civilians. You will be equipped to see through the rhetoric and see peace through. You will learn a new definition of courage and a way forward to achieving a state of mutual harmony for all living beings to prosper regardless of any ethnic, religious and cultural affiliation.

Twyla McDermott

With 25+ years working with technology + government + clients, I understand the power of place, collaboration and customer service. I have been involved in approximately 7 start-ups ranging from creative arts, to technology and location analytics consulting to hospitality. I am a community volunteer with active engagement and contributions to workforce development as a board member of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, to the environment as a founding member of the Lincoln Natural Resources Committee and to academia as a volunteer educator in a local high school.

Winn Maddrey

TEDxCharlotte Organizer