Theme: Social Justice

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).

Stewart Middle School
1315 W Marshall St
Norristown, Pennsylvania, 19401
United States

Ben Doyle

Community Leader

Ben Doyle is the JCCSF’s Chief Experience Officer leading the Family Life programs group which include Early Childhood, School aged and teen programs. He brings with him experience and insight from his time working as CEO sexual-health pioneer Good Vibrations. Ben is active in the San Francisco nonprofit community including work with Jewish Vocational Services, Transgender Law Center and the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival. Ben was born and raised in Norristown and has resided in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. He’s an active and dedicated father to three kids. He earned his MA in Communication Disorders from California State University – Los Angeles.

Ernest Hadrick

Educator

Ernest “Tre” Hadrick III resides in Norristown, PA, with his wife and son. In addition to coaching football at a local high school, Tre works as a school counselor and leadership team member at Eisenhower Middle School in the Norristown Area School District. He is the founder and past president of the Norristown Men of Excellence, Inc. and a member of Epsilon Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He served as one of the tri-captains of the Norristown Eagles High School Football team, was on the leadership council of his college football team. He played on numerous championship teams from little league to Division I college. Tre attended Auburn University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Wilmington University.

Jay Atlas

Activist

Joshua "Jay" Atlas is a full time activist and event coordinator, engaging communities on human trafficking, mental wellness, and youth education. Since 2013, Josh has organized and led teams under his program Worthwhile: GO (formerly The Long Road to Freedom Project). He has traveled nearly 14,000 miles, either walking or cycling, across the United States, to speak out against modern day slavery and to raise funds for Worthwhile Wear, a 501c3 that rescues and restores women who have been trafficked in Southeast Pennsylvania. While at home, Josh continues to host a lecture series and presentations on his experiences and volunteers as a youth literacy mentor. Josh is a proud Norristown Area Public School system graduate.

Renee Chenault Fattah

Journalist

Renee Chenault Fattah is former NBC10 news anchor, legal and medical reporter, and science and technology correspondent. For three decades she has crafted and shared thousands of stories. Now in what she calls her "third act" in life, Renee is using her storytelling skills to focus on health disparities that result from racial and socioeconomic inequalities. She sees solutions at the intersection of storytelling and technology. Because many of these health issues are gender influenced, Renee is also passionate about empowering young girls and women. Before Philadelphia, Renee worked in major Television markets including Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York. She also practiced law in New York and clerked for civil rights pioneer Judge Damon J. Keith on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Renee graduated from Johns Hopkins University where she is a Trustee, the University of Pennsylvania School of Law and The University of Missouri School of Journalism.