Theme: Circuits

We are living in a world that is increasingly connected by digital technologies, social media, and the Internet. Yet it often feels as though we have never been more disjointed. TEDxCUNY 2017 will explore the circuits between people, places, and ideas. We ask: is the nation short-circuiting? What problems and solutions are created by the changing circuits of the digital age? CUNY has long served as a circuit bringing together students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and striving for equal access to opportunity, making it an ideal place to have these conversations.

New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
Corona, New York, 11368
United States

Adam Ortiz, Jasmine Aequitas

Creators

Adam Ortiz and Jasmine Aequitas are a pair of creators, native New Yorkers, and parents to Ciro Ortiz, the Emotional Advice Kid, recently featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Andrea Dixon

Data Analyst, Ph.D Candidate

Andi Dixon is a Ph.D Candidate in Communications at Columbia University, where she interviews humans and databases—both key sites of inquiry and insight. Dixon’s work considers the use of data as evidence in the public policymaking process, focused on the contemporary history of data analytics in policing, public safety, and security. Her previous work experience includes public media production and reporting for This American Life and Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Desiree Bailey

Author and Poet

Desiree C. Bailey was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and grew up in Queens, NY. She is the author of the action chapbook In Dirt or Saltwater (O’Clock Press, 2016). She has an MFA from Brown University and has received fellowships from the Poets House, the Nor- man Mailer Center, Callaloo Creative Writing Workshop, Kimbilio and Princeton in Africa. She is also a recipient of the Poets and Writers Amy Award.

Eli Fola

Multimedia artist, vocalist, saxophonist, music producer

Eli Fola is a Nigerian born, New York based multimedia artist, vocalist, saxophonist, DJ and music producer. His debut EP, “The Platform”, was released on March 28, 2016. He is the founder of Tech Afrique, an independent record label and event company that serves as a platform for releasing his projects and is the musical sound Eli Fola is pioneering. Eli Fola is currently a graduate student at The City College of New York pursuing a master’s degree in Branding and Integrated Communications.

Elise Crull

Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Elise Crull is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. Her research focuses on the philosophy (and history) of modern physics, as well as the intersection between science and metaphysics. In short, she spends a lot of time thinking about entanglement, quantum decoherence, gravity, and spacetime. She also enjoys teaching her students at CUNY to think critically - and creatively - about the complex, evolving relationship of science and technology with society.

Hanna Kit

Educator and Activist

Hanna Kit was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Hanna came to the US in 2007, after her mother was identified as a victim of human trafficking and exploitation. In 2015 she graduated from Brooklyn College, with a double major in Finance and Business Law. After graduating she went on to volunteer for Sanctuary for Families, a non-profit working with victims of gender-based violence. She has focused her work on an outreach program targeting Ukrainian and Russian populations, educating them about the dangers of human trafficking.

Kim Goulbourne

Designer

Kim Goulbourne is a chronic creator, designer and self-taught developer originally from Jamaica. She currently works as a Designer at thoughtbot, a product consultancy in NYC, while crafting purpose-driven experiences under her creative alias, Bourn.

Olga Lucia Torres

Attorney, writer, teacher

Olga Lucia Torres is an attorney, speaker, writer, teacher, and inspirational story. She was working as a criminal defense attorney in New York City when in August of 2000 she suffered a traumatic brain injury. The injury left her with a seizure disorder, balance problems, cognitive and memory loss, and other side effects. After years of rehabilitation, Olga now facilitates narrative medicine workshops at Columbia University Medical Center and teaches at the CUNY School of Medicine.

Sonia K. Gonzalez

Public Health Researcher

Sonia K. González is a doctoral candidate at The City University of New York School of Public Health where she is earning a Doctorate of Public Health with a focus on Community, Health & Society. She is particularly interested in research concerning poor young people of color, mHealth specifically to improve sexual health education and connection to clinical services. She is currently the Health-Tech Project Director with the Healthy CUNY Initiative.

Tyler Bird

Community Development Strategist

Tyler Bird holds a MA in International Affairs, concentrating on cities and social justice. He works at CARTO as a Community Development Strategist and Grants Manager. Tyler currently focuses his work on empowering and educating communities, via trusted organizations across the US and the world, to leverage technology for social good.