Theme: The Power of You Makes it Possible

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).

McKnight Hall
9205 University City Rd.
Room 320
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28262
United States

Alexus Widemon

Alexus is an alumnus of UNC Greensboro with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies. Alexus hopes to become an author, public speaker, and higher education professional. Alexus' perspectives changed in when she was pulled from class in 6th grade by Guilford County to gather statistics on children with incarcerated parents. Alexus prides herself on maintaining a positive mindset and helping others achieve their goals through mentorship and authenticity. Alexus is the founder of Souls' Speak, a spoken word and public speaking organization.

Darryl Bellamy Jr.

Darryl is a 2012 graduate from UNC Charlotte where he was an involved student leader on campus. Darryl resides in Charlotte where he was a 2016 corporate drop out and now works as a national leadership speaker, traveling the country and having collected fears from over 12,000 students. Darryl is passionate about the fears we hide and what we keep to ourselves that prevent us from moving onto that next level of success; so much so that . Darryl has authored a book.

Erica Lennon

Erica is a practicing psychologist with over 10 years of experience working with, providing presentations on, and training new professionals on the topic of suicide. Erica coordinates campus outreach efforts for Counseling & Psychological Services at UNC Charlotte and has a passion for extending beyond the traditional "therapy walls" to connect with students and the campus community on mental health topics. Erica values empowerment, opening dialogues on "taboo topics" and humility. Erica will be sharing the narrative of her ongoing journey of healing through the pain, shame, and self-blame of losing a client to suicide on the way toward reclaiming herself.

John Nance

John is a UNC Charlotte Counseling faculty member, counselor and supervisor in private practice working with adult survivors of childhood sexual trauma and torture and consults with nonprofit organizations advocating for underrepresented and marginalized individuals and groups. John is a UNC Charlotte double graduate, receiving his Masters in Community Counseling and his PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision. John is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), serves on the Human Rights Committee and is the immediate past chair of the committee; additionally he has conducted research focused on sexual orientation and sexual identity. John is the president elect for the North Carolina Counseling Association and is the past president of the South Carolina Counseling Association. John has been awarded the 2018 Association for Adult Development and Aging President’s Outstanding Service award and the 2015 Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Outstanding Program Clinical Supervisor award. John is an avid runner, running whenever and where ever possible to maintain his health and has a fascination with the office of the U.S. presidency, possessing an extensive collection of president-owned objects.

Karen Cox

Karen was born in West Virginia and grew up in Greensboro, NC and is a professor of history at UNC Charlotte. Karen is also an award-winning historian and author, having written three books, in addition to numerous essays and articles on southern history and culture. Karen is a national expert on Confederate monuments and uses her her historical expertise to write on contemporary issues and share her knowledge with the broader public. Karen is a first generation college graduate.

Keith Murphy

Keith moved to the United States from Ireland ten years ago and has the gift of gab the Irish can be known for. Keith earned a Master's in Public Health from UNC Charlotte in 2016 and is currently a first-year doctoral student in Health Services Research on campus. While completing his PhD, Keith is a full time Senior Clinical Data Analyst for the Department of Surgery at Atrium Health where he tackles complicated surgical issues using innovative, data-driven approaches daily. Keith uses his role to explore deep learning, neural networks, artificial intelligence and how these novel technologies can be leveraged in surgery to improves the lives of patients. Keith has authored six publications, spoken at national conferences, has more than 40 conference abstracts and was awarded a $20,000 in grant funding to learn about deep learning-related initiatives. Keith is an avid and competitive ballroom dancer and is currently training to compete in an Ironman Triatholon.

Khalia Braswell

Khalia formerly worked for Apple's headquarters as a User Experience Engineer before deciding she wanted to continue to inspire more girls of color to become creators in the tech industry, leading her to quit to run INTech Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inform and inspire girls to innovate in the technology industry. Khalia founded INTech in 2014 and currently serves as the Executive Director. To date, INTech has reached more than 1,000 minority girls in North and South Carolina. Khalia is also a Charlotte native who earned a B.S. in Computer Science from NC State and a M.S. in Information Technology from UNC Charlotte. While in college, Khalia used to DJ, going by DJ CEO– Creatively Entertaining Others– and had her own radio show called Soulful Renaissance.

Leslie Dill

Leslie is a Health Education Specialist in the Center for Wellness Promotions and has worked at UNC Charlotte since November 2007. Leslie co-advises the Wellness Ambassadors (a peer education group), is an adjunct faculty member in the College of Health and Human Services at UNC Charlotte and serves on the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Drug-Free Coalition's Executive Board. Leslie has a M.A. in Education in Health Education and Promotion from East Carolina University which began her work in college health in 2004. Leslie has had the opportunity to educate students of all ages on topics of sexual health through her work with Iredell-Statesville Schools, Gaston County Health Department and the North Carolina School Health Training Center. Leslie is a Gastonia native and owns a cat and dog, where they enjoy watching Golden Girls together.

Michael Johnson

Michael works at Atrium Health as a Director of Innovation where he leverages technology to drive business model innovation. Michael also cultivates strategic partnerships with startups and corporate entities for Atrium Health, where has has worked for more than 16 years. Michael is a double Georgia State University alum, earning a M.S. in Health Administration and an Master's of Business Administration. Michael has built a classic Volkswagen engine, taught himself to ride a motorcycle, re-plumbed his entire house and repaired drywall from the ceiling flooded from nailing through a pipe using his Innovation Two-Step. Michael is a husband, father, twin, and lover of Volkswagens.

Paul Marks

Paul is a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has been married for 25 years, which he credits for his less than graceful aging process. In July 2009, Paul founded Over the Counter Improv and teaches leadership, public speaking, and quick thinking skills through improvisation. Prior to founding his company, Paul took classes at Second City and Improv Olympics (i/o) in Chicago. Among Paul's highlights include being featured in a 2012 Charlotte Observer article, providing a keynote to more than 700 college students in New Orleans, and giving more than 90 speeches last year across the country. Paul also owns an SAT school and teaches his improvisation philosophy to help students make connections that allow them to tackle the test in an easier fashion.

Steven Rogelberg

Steven is a Chancellor Professor and a Professor of Psychology, Management, and Organizational Science at UNC Charlotte. Steven's book, The Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance, was ranked the #1 leadership book to read in 2019 by the Washington Post and 1 of the 14 business books to read by Business Insider. Steven is the Director of Organizational Science at UNC Charlotte and is the editor of the Journal of Business and Psychology. He has produced over 100 publications addressing team effectiveness, leadership, engagement, employee well-being, meetings-at-work, and research methods.

Tracey Benson

Tracey is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at the UNC Charlotte where he teaches courses in educational leadership, law, and policy. Tracey has a doctorate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Masters of School Administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He has served as a principal coach, high school principal, middle school vice-principal, district trainer, proficiency specialist, and elementary school teacher. Tracey believes that high quality, equity-focused school and district leaders are the key to student achievement, school success, and teacher efficacy. Tracey is passionate about understanding structural and systemic racism in K-12 school systems. Tracey is the co-author of a forthcoming book.