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).

Kirby Theater
220 S Pleasant St.
Amherst, Massachusetts, 1002
United States

Chris Parkinson

Co-Founder of The Mastheads and ARCADE

Chris Parkinson is the co-founder of The Mastheads, a public humanities project based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts that seeks to connect residents to their regional literary history, create a forum for thinking about place, and support the production of new creative work. Chris is also the co-founder of the ARCADE, an architecture practice focused on research and projects in de-invested cities. Chris is a graduate of Amherst College and the Yale School of Architecture where he was recipient of the Gene Lewis prize of excellence in residential architecture.

Emmanuel Osunlana

Millenium Gates Scholar

Emmanuel Osunlana is a senior philosophy major at Amherst College who is in love with the liberal arts. He was born in Nigeria, grew up in South Florida, and ended up in Massachusetts for college. Amherst has been filled with some wonderful adventures for Emmanuel. He dove into the school’s jazz combo program, studied Buddhism in India with Tibetan monks, and spent a summer at Google as a business intern. Emmanuel is looking forward to more adventure in the future.

Kristin Bumiller

Professor of Political Science at Amherst College

Professor Kristin Bumiller is a Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of two books, In an Abusive State (Duke University Press) and The Civil Rights Society (Johns Hopkins University Press) and numerous journal articles that span a broad range of interests in anti-discrimination policy, feminist theory, gender and punishment, and disability rights. She received her PhD in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Olusade Green

Social and Political Activist

Olusade Gabriella Green is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English at Amherst College. As a young reader, she identified with brave and adventurous protagonists such as Katniss Everdeen and Nancy Drew but wondered, “Where are the black girl heroines?” Sade became passionate about social justice at an early age. During high school, Sade interned for her county’s District Attorney’s Office, where she served as a community advocate on Youth Court cases and became committed to public service. This past summer Sade interned for the United States Congress. She was thrilled to see how government works from behind the scenes and to advocate for social justice alongside members of Congress. However, she could not help but notice the lack of diversity amongt the interns, legislative staff, and elected officials. Sade reminds us that in order for there to be a true sense of belonging people of color must have a seat at the table and the power to create policies.