Theme: EMPOWER YOUTH 2016

At TEDxYouth@Buffalo, empowering young people is what we do! Inspiring young minds to activate and engage in their communities, this year's conference lineup is jam packed with community super heroes. From a cool kid duo, to a dynamic young dreamer, this year's #TxYB talks are nothing short of rockstar status.

SUNY Buffalo State
Mildred Campbell Social Hall
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, New York, 14222
United States

Adriana "ADRI.V" Viverette-Gamble

Host

In 2014, ADRI.V brought her brand of savvy and class to the mainstage at the first TxYB conference. Her talk entitled “Be A Go Getta,” provided a strong and modern approach to leadership training. As a local on-air celebrity, emcee, and Say Yes to Education Ambassador, ADRI.V shares her “Go Getta” message with high school students and young women throughout the community.

Anna Zhang

Editor and Chief, "Pulse Spikes"

At just 14, Anna is the founding Editor and Chief of “Pulse Spikes,” an online and quarterly print magazine created by young people for young people. Utilizing her skills as a photographer, she overcome age adversities to establish herself and her staff of rookie journalists as professionals in the fields of lifestyle and entertainment. The magazine employs youth contributors from throughout the US.

Christine Dwyer Robin Bishop

Founders, Danceability

A life long love for dance launched a career and lifestyle change for Christine and Robin. Longtime friends who shared a vision to provide dance to students with special needs, they launched Daceability, an individualized dance, fitness and movement program designed to serve the special needs community. Since 2007, Danceability has served the needs of over 140 students through dance programming and instruction.

Griffin Brady

Founder, SlyKumu

Griffin is the creative mastermind behind “Slykumu,” the creative manifestation of cultural exchange through music. Melding his unique brand of jazz music with West African dance troupe, “Slykumu,” this fusion ensemble can be described as the sound of social barriers breaking, and the collective rejoicing of mankind.

Jeremiah and Joshua West

Kid Entrepreneurs

At 8 and 11 years of age, these brothers from Rochester, NY have accomplished more in the last year than most adults accomplish in a lifetime. Dubbed “The Agents of Change,” this dynamic duo spends their free time raising money for charitable causes, while spreading their message of financial education and success. In 2015, they authored their first book entitled, “Champions of Change."

Lena Levine

Founder, Girl Develop It, Buffalo

Local lady tech entrepreneur and community leader, Lena Levine is the founder of Buffalo’s first woman focused web and software design non-for-profit, Girl Develop It. Working to provide affordable tech based programming in a judgement free environment, Lena focuses her efforts on developing young women as tech leaders in their own communities. She was named “Woman in Tech,” in 2014 and “Tech Community Contributor in 2015.

Megan McNally

Executive Director, The Foundry

Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Foundry, Megan found vision in the reclamation of abandoned spaces and coupling them with community engagement. Launching the city’s first alternative incubator space for fledgling arts and crafts entrepreneurs, The Foundry not only serves as a resource for business, but doubles as a grassroots education and engagement initiative for the community.

Monet Lewis

Student and Dreamer

As a current graduate student at SUNY BSC, Monet serves as a graduate assistant to the college’s Office of Equity and Diversity, serves as a Peer Educator on campus and as a Senator to the College Student Association. When Monet isn’t busy on campus, she gives back to community by serving as an ambassador to college programming in high schools, sharing her message of “Living Out Your Dreams.”

Zuri Appleby

Rockstar, Bass Player

One of Buffalo’s recent break away stars, this multifaceted musician/superhero has gained notoriety for her musical prowess. Picking up the bass guitar at the tender age of 7, Zuri has made a career as a rockstar. From her tour as a Marine to appearances on the runway, her experiences are short of amazing and worthy of the spirit and definition of a true rockstar.