Theme: We are the GIANTS of now! Unlocking the power within...

You’re invited to TEDxSistrunk, an independently organized TED event which combines TED talk videos, live speakers, and performances to spark deep discussion and connection. This event is designed to bring our community together and encourage each of us to unlock the power within because we are the GIANTS of now!

African American Research Library and Cultural Center
2650 Sistrunk Blvd.
Ft Lauderdale, Florida, 33311
United States

Doll Avant

Founder and CEO of Aquagenuity

Doll Avant is an award-winning tech entrepreneur, an Atlanta native, an author, & cum laude graduate ofHarvard University. She hails from a family whose members hold nine U.S. patents.A data scientist & tech founder, Doll is a member of the inaugural class of Scholars in the Google for Entrepreneurs/BuiltXWomen, JP Morgan Chase Ascend 2020, and UBS/Village Capital Pathways Cohorts. Doll is a globally recognized expert on clean water and sustainability. Doll is Founder & CEO of Aquagenuity, the world’s first intelligent water quality database. Named “Most Promising Tech Start Up” by WIRED Magazine in the Jack Daniels-sponsored Pitch Distilled competition, this database platform incorporates big data, predictive analytics and blockchain technology to predict and prevent water shortages and water-related public health crises. Doll was named a Global Impact Fellow by Singularity @ NASA ResearchPark in Silicon Valley.

Jasmen Rogers-Shaw

Community Organizer

Jasmen Rogers is a community organizer in Dade and Broward counties, working primarily at the intersections of racial and gender justice. Jasmen developed a zeal for social justice after the 2006 tragic death of Martin Lee Anderson at the hands of boot camp staff in Panama City, Florida. Jasmen has continued the spirit of grassroots organizing within and alongside various organizations in South Florida. She has appealed to the UN regarding human rights violations present in policing and is currently working with others on campaigns demanding local law enforcement agencies rectify their inequities and predatory police practices. Jasmen's passion lies in building power for Black women and girls through storytelling, healing, and electoral engagement. Jasmen has co-founded the inConfirmistas Collective, a space for women, femmes, and gender non-conforming folks to fight back against patriarchy through healing and was also the lead organizer for the Florida March for Black women.

Joshua Simmons

Broward Country Public School Educator

Leadership, strong values, and hard work are the core beliefs of my family. Through my life experiences, I developed a strong sense of duty to my family and community. I put these traits to use by moving to Coral Springs in 2011 to help raise my sister while my single mother served in the United States Navy. I became my sister’s legal guardian at the age of 22 until she went off to college in New York in 2015. While raising my sister I earned my Bachelors of Art in Political Science from FAU and gained my Masters in Psychology. I have worked as a mental health therapist and now I am a proud Broward County Social Studies Teacher. This fall I will teach at Coral Springs High School.

Michael Alonso

HIV Prevention Specialist

Michael Anthony Alonso is a self-proclaimed Sexual Health Warrior! He is an HIV-advocate, doctoral student of Medical Anthropology, and works professionally as an HIV-Prevention Specialist. In addition, Michael has a coaching business where he assists LGBTQI+ individuals with their romantic relationships and sexual interactions. He is committed that people experience freedom, ease, and peace of mind when it comes to romantic and sexual endeavors. Michael is a first-generation South Floridian of Cuban descent and has worked in Public Health in New York City, Houston, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and in South Florida. His research interests include the intersection of sociocultural interactions on stigma, sexual desire, anxiety, and HIV.

Mike Olbel

Executive Director of Community Based Connections, Inc.

EDUCATION  Masters of Science, (areas of focus) Business Administration, Public Administration & Psychology  Bachelor of Arts, (areas of focus) Criminal Justice & Sociology with Minor in Psychology WORK HISTORY  15 years in Social Service, Business Owner & Educator  Community Based Connections, Inc. (Executive Director) RECENT COMMUNITY SERVICE  Advisory Board Member for Thomas D Stephanis: Boys & Girls Club (Pompano Beach)  Appointed to School Oversight Committee (Member)  Circuit 17 Advisory Board, (Board Member)  Advisory Council Member, Project Bridge for Eckerd  Appointed to Human Relations Committee for Broward County Schools

Rudy Jean-Bart

Assistant Professor of History

Rudy Jean-Bart is a native of Miami, FL. Rudy is an Assistant Professor of History at Broward College's South Campus where he teaches American History and African American History. He is also the advisor of Food for Thought and the African Student Union. Jean-Bart was the 2015-2016 Broward College South Campus Professor of the Year. He is the founder and CEO of Rudy Jean-Bart Inc. which affords him the opportunity to do motivational speeches as well as presentations discussing branding, entrepreneurship, history and race. Rudy Jean-Bart Inc. is the parent company of both the blog site Raliman and the clothing line Raliman Clothing. Jean-Bart is the creator of the multi-disciplinary show “Love Letters to the Black Woman.” Jean-Bart was also a 2017 fellow of the Broward County Chapter of the New Leaders Council. Rudy also was a Broward College Aspen Faculty Innovation Grant recipient during the 2017-2018 academic year.