Theme: If...then

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).

Pelican Bay Hotel
Delphine Room
Sea Horse Road at Port Lucaya
FPO, City of Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
Bahamas

Dr. Sam Heastie

Psychologist / Author

Dr. Heastie is a Professor of Psychology and concurrently, he serves as President and CEO of Heastie Consulting International. Dr. Heastie draws on his academic training and his experiences to design, develop, and conduct training programs in customer service, management, and education for businesses, schools, community organizations, and churches. He worked as a Behavior Specialist with at-risk students and his innovative work of modifying students’ behavior by showing them how to improve academic achievement was the genesis of “Successful Start, Successful Finish” – a 1-day workshop that shows students how to master their memory, and their study and test-taking skills. In 2012 he published, "Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Us: Practical Faith-based Principles for Strengthening Families". and is currently working on his second book, "Four Dimensional Love", which focuses on creating and nurturing healthy marriages.

Jehan Unwala

Chartered Financial Analyst

Jehan Unwala believes that creating a peaceful and prosperous Bahamas starts with creating a nation of readers. After the birth of his first son, Jehan researched the scientific literature on reading to children and found the results irrefutable: children who are read to are more likely to become readers themselves, and readers grow up to be happier, healthier, and more successful in life. To spread this knowledge in The Bahamas, Jehan and his wife, Kristen, co-founded the Brighter Bahamas Foundation (BBF) in 2014. BBF has two goals: to put great books directly into the hands of children, and to encourage parents to read aloud to their children. BBF projects include distributing free infant books to new mothers in the hospital, providing books to doctors to disseminate in the clinics and in their private practices, and creating school and classroom libraries in public schools.

Trenicka Rolle

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineer

Trenicka is the Co-Founder and President of Bahamas Engineering and Technology Advancement (BETA). She has held leadership positions in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and Student Government Association (SGA). She has received several awards including NSBE Region II Academic Excellence Award and a Graduate Research Assistant Fellowship from her university. She holds a master’s degree in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering and a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering both from Virginia Commonwealth University.