This will be the 5th year. So what? What has the greater community done because of TEDxRaleigh's presence. What science, what action, what art is here?
This year we'll check back in with the dozens of speakers, catch up on their projects in concentrated break outs, listen to past attendees on how TEDxRaleigh has affected them to change a habit, rethink a decision, or live in a different more enhanced way.
If we don't take the time to reflect in a world that, for some, threatens to pull us further into our black mirrors and digital pastimes are we just not the same generation stuck glued to their mindless TV content of yesteryear?
ReStart.
You can start by following us on Twitter @TEDxRaleigh and Facebook. Our event is April 22nd, 2017. Most likely at the Lincoln Theatre. Please do not submit any content for a possible talk until a public request via FB and Twitter, and our (currently) down and possibly kidnapped website. Our biggest need is financial oversight. If you are a CPA familiar w/ non profit organizations please contact us via DM @TEDxRaleigh on Twitter or Facebook.
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Chip Gentry
The Last Falcon
Chip Gentry is a master falconer. He is the owner of Hawk Manor Falconry; a falconry business that specializes in raptor education, guided falconry hunts, and bird abatement work in which he takes a “green” approach to clearing areas of nuisance birds by using of birds of prey. Chip loves educating children and adults at his facility, located in Lillington, NC. Chip has served as the president of the Carolina Falconers Guild and is a founding member of the Carolina Hawking Club. Chip spent a majority of his life-training animals. His first business was a pet store that specialized in exotics. He soon realized that this was his calling, his passion. The training of birds of prey to hunt with intrigued him but the idea he was helping continue an age old art consumed him. Being a person who believes in living life to the fullest and pursuing what you enjoy, Chip figured out a way to use his passion to make a living. He now spends everyday doing what he loves.Cindy Whitehead
CEO
The New York Times called her pharmaceutical product the drug of a generation. Fortune called her a tireless force of nature. Cindy Whitehead is a highly regarded women's health advocate and serial entrepreneur. She has started and sold two businesses for more than $1.5B. She co-founded and served as CEO for Sprout Pharmaceuticals where, in 2015, the company delivered the first FDA-approved drug for low sexual desire in women -- dubbed “femaleViagra” by the media. She started Sprout only one day after selling another that she also co-founded, Slate Pharmaceuticals, which redefined long lasting testosterone treatment for men.Cindy has been covered by: The New York Times, Associated Press, Financial Times, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS, Fox, Yahoo and the cover feature of Entrepreneur Magazine. Cindy has a mission to launch and build other women led or focused businesses. In 2016, she opened The Pink Ceiling -- a cross between a VC firm, a ‘pinkubator’ and a consulting firm.George Hage
Singer/Songwriter/Artist
BMI Artist, API Member, PMP Certified. Published songwriter and published artist in North Carolina, USA. Songwriter and Music Producer: George's songs have been featured in film and television on programs such as: HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, USA Network’s Graceland and Necessary Roughness, Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, The Layover, and Bizarre Foods, NBC’s Notre Dame Football Primer and Nascar the List, Fox’s Nascar Raceday and UFC Countdown, TV Land’s Jim Gaffigan Show, Spike TV’s I Am Dale and Auction Hunters, and Esquire TV’s Best Bars in America and Brew Dogs. Songwriter and producer for alternative/rock, americana band, Jack the Radio. In 2015 for Jack the Radio’s Badlands, 12-song album featuring “Criminals” with guest vocals by Liz Hopkins of Delta Rae courtesy of Warner Bros, and “Wayfared Warriors” with guest vocals by BJ Barham of American Aquarium. Songwriter and member of bluegrass/country, americana band, New Reveille. In 2015 performed on J Kutchma and the 5 fifths’ Blue Highways album released by Last Chance Records out of Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2010 co-wrote and recorded an EP with Kevin Allen (One Small Step for Landmines) and Chris Pennie (Dillinger Escape Plan, Coheed and Cambria) for a split, vinyl LP with members of Coheed and Cambria on Levy Park Records. Artist & Art Director: Created various merchandise art and concert posters for artists and festivals such as: Hopscotch Music Festival, MoogFest, and The ArtsCenter including posters for Bill Frisell, and Charlie Parr featuring Phil Cook. Created album artwork for other artists CD/vinyl packaging such as: American Aquarium’s Live At Terminal West album, Jon Lindsay’s Cities and Schools album art, Season & Snare’s Seek album, New Reveille ’s Cannonball LP album, and Jack the Radio’s Pretty Money album. Music Video Production: Producer and production manager experience including the following responsibilities: end to end project ownership, assembling and coordinating teams and cast with the director, creation of detailed shoot schedule creative direction with the director, creating and controlling project budgets and scope, handling location scouting and agreements, communication management, travel arrangements, script and editing reviews, managing and controlling project through production, and coordinating video releases and premieres. 2016 produced Jack the Radio’s “My Way” music video. 2016 co-directed, co-wrote, storyboarded and produced Jack the Radio’s “Bad Man” music video. 2015 produced Jack the Radio’s “Ain’t So Bad” music video. 2015 produced Jack the Radio’s “Moonlight” music video. 2013 produced the live DVD and audio recording for Jack the Radio in front of two sold out crowds.Jay Raffaldini
Wine Maker/Banker
In 2001, Jay established a vineyard in the United States as a means to honor his family’s legacy of making wine since the mid-1300s. Over the last ten years Raffaldini Vineyards has received numerous national awards including Top Ten Hot New Small Brands in North America, a first for any vineyard in the Eastern United States and the highest rated red wine ever from North Carolina (90 and Editors Choice) by the Wine Enthusiast. Jay started his career co-founding Ashley Securities, a NYSE market making firm, in 1985. He as an adjunct lecturer on risk management and derivative topics for the US Federal Reserve. Jay has over 30 years investment industry where he is currently the Head of Product Specialists for UBS Hedge Fund Solutions (HFS) and holds a BA from Georgetown University and an MBA from New York University. Jay resides in Winston Salem and divides his time between this beautiful area and his office in Manhattan.Jo Allen
Invoking the Third Dimension: Representing Your Whole Self
Jo Allen, Ph.D., Meredith College Class of 1980, took office as the eighth president of the College on July 1, 2011. She is the first alumna to assume leadership of the 125-year-old institution, one of the largest private colleges for women in the United States. Allen brought her experience as a faculty member, administrator, and scholarPresident Allen has guided Meredith to aposition of strength. After leading a collaborative, community-wide process to develop a strategic plan, Allen and the Exec Team oversaw its implementation. Meredith has exceeded enrollment goals; raised $50 million of its largest fundraising campaign ever; earned the highest rating from the U.S. D Ed; launched the Going Strong initiative; established StrongPoints®, the College’s signature coaching program; created development program for women called Stronger U; and completed or initiated renovations on buildings and infrastructure across campus, including Johnson Hall, the College’s most iconic building.Katie Cannon
Tiger Handler/Educator/Savior
Katie Cannon was a special education teacher for 5 ½ years in a Raleigh public school. After volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue for nearly 2 years, she made a career change and became Carolina Tiger Rescue’s Education Director. Carolina Tiger is the only wild cat sanctuary in North Carolina which fits the federal definition of a true sanctuary. Having seen first-hand how children can harness their passion to move mountains, Katie believes that a better future for tigers – both in captivity and in the wild – is in the hands of younger generations. Help can begin right here in the United States, where more tigers live in captivity than in their native, wild habitats around the world. Helping children understand the problems that both captive and wild tigers face, and more importantly, giving kids simple solutions that they can act on is Katie’s goal as the coordinator of summer camps, field trips, and outreach programs that reach over 4,000 children each year.Mary-Ann Baldwin
People Say Yes
Four-term at large Raleigh City Councilor Chair of Law & Public Safety Committee; member of Communications & Technology Committee City’s representatives to the Triangle Transit Authority Former member of the Budget & Economic Development Committee, Public Works Committee, and Comprehensive Planning Committee Former representative to the Metro Mayor’s Coalition and liaison to the NC State Legislature Community Co-founder / former director of Innovate Raleigh, a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in our region Member, Advisory Board of Triangle Family Services; Member, Board Development Committee, Frankie Lemmon School Former Chair of the Business Friends Council for the NC Museum of Art; Former member of the board of directors of Artsplosure, Communities in Schools of Wake County, and the American Lung Association Former PTA volunteerMike Wiley
Acclaimed actor and playwright Mike Wiley has spent the last decade fulfilling his mission to bring educational theatre to young audiences and communities across the country. In the early days of his career, Wiley found few theatrical resources to shine a light on key events and figures in African-American history. To bring these stories to life, he started his own production company. Through his performances, Wiley has introduced countless students and communities to the legacies of Emmett Till, Henry “Box” Brown and more. His recent works include a one-man play based on Tim Tyson’s memoir Blood Done Sign My Name and The Parchman Hour, an ensemble production celebrating the bravery and determination of the Freedom Riders who risked their lives to desegregate Southern interstate bus travel in 1961. Mike Wiley has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the 2010 and 2014 Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to his numerous school and community performances, he has also appeared on Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and National Geographic Channel and has been featured in Our State magazine and on PBS’ North Carolina Now and WUNC’s The State of Things.Peter Lamb and the Wolves- Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Musicians
Five highly trained jazz musicians-who sound like seven-are at the heart of the quintet's intimate chemistry. Lamb leads on tenor saxophone, aided by Al Strong on trumpet, Stephen Coffman on drums, and two musicians doing double duty-troubadour Mark Wells on vocals and piano, and George Knott handling upright bass as well as the elephantine bass saxophone. Wells' vocal-high and round with just enough gravel to grab hold of some blues-is a double-boiler that can safely melt chocolate. Coffman paints an urbane jungle with his drumset textures, while horns flare and taper, of one mind yet independent. It takes discipline to know exactly when to relax and let loose, but everybody here knows what they're doing, soloing with the panache of a jam session. "We're not the kind of jazz musicians that are just listening to jazz. We really want to play whatever the heck song we like to play," says Wells. "That's the vibe: If it's good, let it ride." -Sylvia PfeiffenbergerRufus Edmisten
Be Prepared
Raised in Watauga County, NC to the global political arena, national treasure RufusEdmisten always has been in touch with a variety of people in high and low places. He’s also learned a thing or two about preparedness. Chief Counsel/Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Separation of Powers. He became Deputy Chief Counsel of the Senate Watergate Committee, chaired by the famous North Carolinian, Senator Sam Ervin. It was in this capacity that Rufus served a subpoena to President Richard Nixon—which was the first time a Congressional Committee authorized a subpoena to be served on a sitting President of the United States. He later went on to serve North Carolina as Attorney General and Secretary of State. Today, Rufus runs a successful lobbying firm and serves on a variety of non-profit boards and foundations. When not behind his desk in Raleigh, you can find him working on policy issues in his community, or on Capitol Hill, helping to protect and prepare people for a better future.Vansana Nolintha
Sacred Moments in Food and Faith
Vansana Nolintha and sister Vanvisa are co-owners of Bida Manda Laotian Restaurant and Bar in downtown Raleigh. Native to the UNESCO’s World Heritage city of Luang Prabang in Laos, Van migrated alone to Nat the age of 12 with the intention to learn English and return home after his high school graduation.16 years later, Van calls Raleigh his “sacred” and “fluid” home.Van’s path to becoming a successful restauranteur at one of Raleigh’s vibrant restaurants was anything but straightforward. He studied Chemistry, Art and Design, and World Religious Studies at NC with the hope to become a physician, a photographer, or a clothing designer. After international service-learning experiences in more than 30 countries, Van switched entirely and went to Trinity College Dublin to study International Peace and Conflict Resolution. At 25, Van returned to Raleigh and took a dramatic turn opening one of the first Laotian Restaurants in the country in the Moore Square District of Raleigh.Organizing team
