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).

854 Galway Lane
Columbia, South Carolina, 29209
United States

Arik Bjorn

Librarian/Politician

ARIK BJORN was the Democratic Party and Green Party fusion candidate in 2016 for South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District. His opponent was Republican Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-2). Arik was the second candidate in history endorsed by the South Carolina Democratic Party before its state primary. Arik is a public librarian and the former manager of the South Carolina SmartState Program, a billion-dollar academic economic development program that helped usher South Carolina into the 21st-century Knowledge-Based Economy.

Jody Lumpkin

Math Teacher/Head of Upper School

Jody Lumpkin is a teacher at Hammond School. He grew up in Columbia and graduated from Hammond before going to the College of Charleston where he played basketball while earning Bachelor's Degrees in Math and History along with a Master's Degree in Mathematics. He played professional basketball in Belgium and France before coming back to South Carolina, his home. He is the sponsor of the Outdoors Club and the Society of Primitive technology

Mike Rice

Biology Teacher

Micheal Rice is a biological science teacher at Hammond School. Ask anyone of his students, and they will attest to his passion for nature and the environment, but Mr. Rice's enthusiasm reaches far beyond the classroom. One of his many outdoor projects has been transforming his backyard, with the help of his two kids, into a thriving ecosystem of local plants and animals.

Rob Malanuk

Cardiologist

Dr. Malanuk, a Columbia, South Carolina native, joined Columbia Cardiology in 2003. He received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Davidson College in Davidson, NC and his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He also completed an Internal Medicine residency, a Cardiovascular Disease fellowship and an Interventional Cardiology fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Sumitra Pati

Student at University of Georgia

Sumitra Pati currently works in the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences where her doctoral research focuses on discovering diagnostic predictors of disorders such as obesity, addiction, and Alzheimer’s disease. Originally from Orangeburg, South Carolina, Sumitra graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. She proceeded to complete her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Chemistry at the College of Charleston. During this time, Sumitra received an undergraduate grant to advance medical fiber optics capabilities, representing her first exposure to biomedical research. After graduating, she completed a Master of Science in Biotechnology at Claflin University where she investigated the role of hypothalamic neuropeptides on the cellular metabolome.

Tiffany Beaver

Doctoral Student at University of South Carolina

Tiffany Beaver is pursuing a Ph.D. in Philosophy at the University of South Carolina, where she teaches a course focusing on modern slavery, and studies issues of responsibility and obligation surrounding modern slavery. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D, Tiffany received her Master of Social Work degree at The University of South Carolina, and practiced as a licensed social worker (LMSW) for nearly five years.