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).

Ritenour High School Auditorium
9100 St. Charles Rock Road
St. Louis, Missouri, 63114
United States

DuEwa Frazier

Writer, Performer, and Educator

DuEwa Frazier is an award-winning poet, author, speaker, performer, and educator. DuEwa is the author of several volumes of poetry and two teen novels. Her writing has featured in anthologies, magazines, literary journals, and online. She is an educator who has worked with K-12 students and college level students. DuEwa has been a featured poet, speaker, and author at NCTE’s Annual College and Composition Conference, Temple University, U. of Penn Kelly Writers’ House, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Brick City Poetry Festival, CUNY Poetry Festival, Missouri Department of Youth Services Conference, Missouri History Museum, Black Caucus of the American Library Association Annual Conference, Queens Library, Lewis and Clark Library, St. Louis Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and other venues

Gina Keating

Writer, Journalist, Filmmaker

Gina Keating is a journalist, author and filmmaker. Her most recent projects include the book Netflixed: The Epic Battle for America’s Eyeballs, the podcast series “Business Wars: Netflix vs. Blockbuster vs. HBO,” and the 2019 film “Netflix vs. the World.” She worked for the international wire services United Press International and Thomson Reuters, and for newspapers in Los Angeles. She lives in St Charles, MO.

Laura Enk

Sexual Assault prevention Activist, Advocate Exercise Science graduate

Laura Enk is a recent graduate of Lindenwood University. After attending Ferris State University in Michigan she transferred to Lindenwood her junior year where she competed with and co-captained the university’s D1 Elite women’s rugby program for 2 ½ years. Following her passion for training and studying human movement, Laura majored in Exercise Science and graduated magna cum laude in December 2017. While in school Laura discovered a passion for sexual assault prevention, especially on college campuses. She feels there is a stigma surrounding sexual assault, which prevents proper healing for survivors and inhibits discussion on effective prevention. Laura hopes to break down that barrier in order to spark discussion and ignite change. She hopes to inspire her audience to take small steps that will make a huge impact in the fight against sexual assault.

Narketta Sparkman-Key

Associate Professor, Counseling & Human Services

Dr. Key is a professor of human services and program director at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She is a community-engaged scholar. Publishing close to two-dozen empirical and conceptual peer reviewed journal articles. Her work contributes to understanding and development of professional identity among human services practitioners with research focused on marginalized populations, competency in human services practice, and advancing the field of human services. In addition, she has numerous encyclopedia, monograph, newsletter, magazine, and conference proceeding publications, which directly informs her professional community. She is also an award winning international speaker with a focus on self-esteem development, adolescent suicide and issues that impact vulnerable populations.

Sarah Garwood

Pediatrician

Dr. Garwood is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine. She received her M.D. from University of Missouri in Columbia. Dr. Garwood joined the division of Adolescent Medicine and the leadership of the Pediatric Residency Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2008. Dr. Garwood’s work through the Adolescent Center focuses on the unique health care needs of adolescents. Dr. Garwood is also on staff at the SPOT (Supporting Positive Opportunities with Teens), which is a one-stop, drop-in youth center and provides medical and social services at no cost. She is the medical director for the SPOT at Jennings High School, the first School Based Health Center in St Louis County. In August 2016, Dr. Garwood co-founded the Washington University Transgender Center at St Louis Children’s Hospital in order to support comprehensive medical and mental health services for transgender children and young adults.

Stephanie Afful

Social Psychologist and Professor

Dr. Stephanie Afful is a social psychologist who studies race, specifically racial identity, racism, and interracial relationships. She received her BA in Psychology and Sociology from Drury University and PhD in Social Psychology from Saint Louis University. As an Associate Professor at Lindenwood, Dr. Afful currently teaches courses on Social Psychology, Motivation & Emotion, Human Sexuality, and Health Psychology. She is an award winning teacher, receiving several teaching awards including APA Division 2 Early Career Jane Halonen Award (2013), Emerson Excellence in Teaching (2011, 2017) and Joan Goostree Stevens Award (2011). Dr. Afful has several book chapters on pedagogical research and professional development as well as publications in Journal of Social Issues, Teaching of Psychology, and Journal of Black Psychology.