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).

The Columbus Foundation
1234 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio, 43205
United States

Available Light Theater

Available Light will be presenting excerpts from the Columbus Voices Workshop. The Columbus Voices Workshop (CVW) is a long-term, multi-layered, civic engagement project. The first round of CVW events will take place at more than a dozen venues in neighborhoods throughout Columbus over 6 weeks in October and November. The goal for each event is simple but significant: to empower everyone in the room to meet and know their neighbors, to strengthen the bonds of community and create new connections.

Angie Never

Angie Never was introduced to yoga in 1998 and instantly fell in love with the strength and possibility she felt in her body on the mat. After more than a decade of personal practice, she transitioned into teaching to share her passion for delightful movement with students of all levels. In 2014, inspired by her own experiences as a fat woman in physical classes and concepts of radical self-love, she and Joyce Eubanks created Yoga Enlarged (formerly Big Asana), a yoga class for the plus-size population that was the first of its kind in the area. She is also the founding director of Sacred Shimmy Tribal Bellydance, a tribe of improvisational dancers and musicians who have become known for their energetic, joyful, and powerful performance style.

Brooke Cartus

Brooke Cartus is a queer activist, attorney, and stand up comedian based in Columbus, Ohio. She started her career as an opera singer in upstate New York then worked as a personal trainer and corporate wellness coach. She moved to Ohio so she could attend law school at Ohio State, and fell in love with central Ohio. Brooke works as a facilitator with ImprovEdge, creates and facilitates LGBTQ diversity training programs, and tours the country as a stand up comedian.

Dominique Larue

Dominique Larue – known to most, simply as Larue, continues to be one of the best, most consistent female M.C.’s Hip Hop has to offer. Born and bred on the North Side of Columbus, Ohio, Larue was greatly influenced not only by her own connection to Gospel and R&B music, but also by the quality Hip Hop her older brother listened to. With artist like A Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees, Outkast, Def Squad, and Busta Rhymes in the air and her high level of talent -- it’s no surprise that D. Larue’s style, delivery, voice, and quality content has now become her guarantee. Both lyrically loaded and artistically sharp, D.

Heather Reese

Heather has been a self-taught abstract and mixed media artist for eleven years, she has also passionately taught hundreds of acrylic, mixed media and performance classes from ages 4-104! Over the past two years she has focused on developing her niche from exhibiting to performance artist.

Lisa Cribbs

Lisa is dedicated to helping people learn to be happier. As a professional coach for Centric Consulting, she helps people develop capabilities, imagine and build career paths, and frame their experiences positively. She is also co-founder of Become, a coaching practice that helps people use intention and action to increase their feeling of control over their lives.

Lori Lindsey

Lori A. Lindsey is a Registered Nurse, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Dancer and Wellness Educator with over 19 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. She loves sharing her knowledge and experience and has assumed many roles to promote the importance of health and wellness in the community. Lori is the proud Owner/Founder of Your Wellness Navigator (YWN) LLC, a health and wellness resource company with a mission to help women take control of their health, gain balance in their life and live without boundaries to happiness. YWN’s highly effective presentations, workshops, group fitness classes and other custom services are designed to educate and inspire others to make and maintain healthy lifestyle choices.

Renee Dion

ReneeDion’s soulful sound can be heard on music blogs across the web, on albums by alternative soul icons, and in clubs and festivals from her hometown, Columbus, Ohio, to New York City.

Shanelle Marie

Shanelle Marie, a Columbus native, is a Columbus theatre artist and communicator. She credits her first acting teacher as her beloved grandmother, who would bring Paul Lawrence Dunbar’s poetry to life. Her favorite moments on stage include performing for Ruby Dee, and playing "Ruth" in A Raisin in the Sun (Theatre Columbus State), and "Black Woman" in We Are Proud to Present (Available Light Theatre). Her film credits include Godspeed, Oracabessa, Premeditated, Heart of a Champion, and short films for Columbus' 48 Hour Film Competition. She has also appeared in regional industrial videos and commercials. As a member of the Maroon Arts Group, she helps create performance arts to nurture local talent and enrich the community.

Tyiesha Shorts

Tyiesha Radford Shorts is a Columbus, Ohio native. An African American, she attended Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy as a child, which caused her to see the world through a diverse – and sometimes confusing – cultural framework. At age 14, Tyiesha began writing poetry as a way to both process what she learned and to give voice to her experiences.