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).

Sadler Center
200 Stadium Drive
Williamsburg, Virginia, 23186
United States

Dr. Joanne Kong

Dr. Joanne Kong has received praise for her presentations on a broad range of topics related to the environment and sustainability, health, compassion, spirituality, animal rights, and music. Her talks have been described as “artfully crafted,” “a positive message about the way our daily choices can make the world a better place for others and for ourselves,” “making a difference and encouraging positive change to happen,” and “enlightening and provocative.” Some of Joanne’s presentations this year and next include appearances at the University of Richmond, University of Washington, Rollins College, the Chrysalis Institute, Richmond Vegetarian Festival, the Waring School, New York University, Columbia University, Virginia Commonwealth University, VegFest Colorado, Ohio State University, Brigham Young University, Milwaukee Veg Expo, Tufts University, MIT, Yale University, and Green Festival Expo in Washington D. C. She is also a critically-acclaimed and award-winning classical pianist and chamber musician, and empowers individuals from all walks of life through her lectures and workshops on performance anxiety. Dr. Kong is a faculty member at the University of Richmond.

Dr. Shantá Hinton

Shantá D. Hinton is an Associate Profes- sor of Biology at William & Mary. Her specialty is in cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, pseudophosphatase roles in signal transduction, and protein interactions. Professor Hinton has a significant interest in protein interactions in cellular processes and conducts research and publishes frequently on this topic. Her most recent article, Antagonistic Roles for STYX Pseudophosphatase in neurite outgrowth is in press, and focuses on the roles pseudophosphatases have in neuronal development. She is often invited to speak at international conferences such as Nassau, Bahamas in 2014 and Liverpool, United Kingdom in 2016 as the pioneer of her field. She often is overseeing honors theses and advising students on research that they conduct along with her own project in her lab. She recently completed part of her sabbatical at the Mount Sinai Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Hospital in Toronto, Ontario-while overseeing four undergraduate researchers (three Honors theses), who are expected to graduate May 2017. Hinton has received awards such as Edward D. Coco Fellowship and the William Small Award in recognition of her exceptional teaching ability in the classroom and for dedication to research in the lab environment. She also has received the William & Mary NAACP Image Award for consistently being an Inspiration to students as a faculty member. Recently, she received an award from her alma mater, Howard University, and Certificate of Excellence in Biology for recognition of Outstanding Accomplishments in the Biological Sciences and Distinguished Commitment to Howard University, during the department of Biology’s Sesquicentennial Celebrations. Before Professor Hinton joined the William & Mary faculty in 2010, she received her B.A. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1996 and her Ph.D. from Howard University in 2002. She then served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory from 2002-2007 and afterwards as an Assistant Professor at Hampton University from 2007-2010.

Fred Liggin

Fred is a follower of Jesus, the husband to Alison, father to Ian, a multi-vocational pastor with Williamsburg Christian Church, ethnographer, activist & justice seeker, published writer, advocate for those living in extreme poverty or homelessness, and Founder and President of 3e Restoration Inc. For thirteen years Fred has walked closely and personally with those living through homelessness and extreme poverty. Fred is the author of The 3e Restoration Process and it’s curriculum, which were both born from hands-on experience, practice and evidence-based research. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Masters of Religious Education in Missional Leadership (MREML) from Rochester College. Currently he is a Doctorate of Ministry candidate at Northern Seminary for Contextual Theology. His thesis, Hospitality as Leadership, Witness and Power: the Role of Hospitality in Congregational Renewal is a reflection of his work as a congregational pastor and local activist, and researches how congregational engagement and embrace of the socially displaced can lead a congregation toward renewal. Fred also serves on The Advisory Board for Dept. of Social Services for James City County.

Isaura Ramirez

Always the odd one out, army veteran Isaura Ramirez will crack you up with her unexpected take on American culture. As a Latina combat veteran, she draws from her unique experiences growing up in Puerto Rico, serving in the military, and being the token minority among her friends. Ramirez has had a colorful career, and it is just getting started. She is a retired Army Captain, has owned her own restaurant small business, served both in the active Army as a logistics officer, and as an enlisted soldier in the Puerto Rico National Guard. She spent 15 months deployed to Al Anbar province, Iraq mentoring the Iraqi Army in logistics where she was awarded the bronze star. She found comedy through the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP)’s Comedy Bootcamp - the only stand-up comedy class exclusively for veterans. She has performed at the White House, New York City’s Gotham Comedy Club, Virginia Beach and Richmond FunnyBone, Cozzy’s Comedy Club, Walter Reed Hospital, military bases, the Williamsburg Kimball Theatre, and the College of William & Mary Muscarelle Museum. In addition to doing performances up and down the East Coast, she serves as an instructor and mentor to aspiring veteran comics from ASAP Comedy Bootcamp class. Isaura has a Masters of Arts in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She is originally from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and now lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with her husband, Armando, and her four year old daughter, Alana.