Theme: Beyond The Visible

As the first TEDx event at the first HBCU, TEDxLincolnUniversity will feature ideas that can push our community forward. The abstract theme of "Beyond The Visible" can be interpreted as looking beyond what we see right in front of us and, instead, paying attention to the underlying elements of life that have an impact on everything that we do. Join us as we learn how to think further about what we see and experience.

Ware Center Theater
1570 Baltimore Pike
SMR 2307
Lincoln University, Maryland, 19352
United States

David Amadio

Philosophy + Technology

David Amadio teaches Creative Writing and Composition at Lincoln University, where he also edits the campus literary magazine, SIMBAA. He received his MFA in Fiction from Bowling Green State University in 2001. His work has appeared in Talking River, Masque & Spectacle, Cleaver, Packingtown Review, and The San Francisco Examiner. He lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two children. His TEDx talk describes his experience finding discipline and independence...through a flip phone!

Elizabeth Hillman

Microscopes + Science

Dr. Elizabeth Hillman, a professor at Columbia University, was born in England and obtained her undergraduate degree and PhD degrees in Physics and Medical Physics at University College London. She has pioneered the development of new types of microscopes and she uses these imaging technologies to learn about how biological systems work, with a particular interest in understanding the brain. She has been faculty at Columbia in Biomedical Engineering and Radiology since 2006 and she and her family are based in New York City. She is also a member of Columbia’s Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. Her TEDx talk will outline the importance of using questions to challenge our assumptions and how those questions have helped her to work towards major advancements in neuroscience and biomedical technology.

Johanna Greeson

Global awareness

Dr. Johanna Greeson is an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. She is passionate about reforming the child welfare system and her published work has been cited over 1,600 times in scientific, peer-reviewed literature. Dr. Greeson received her PhD in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master of Social Service and Master of Law & Social Policy degrees from Bryn Mawr College. She is also an alumna of Swarthmore College. Her TEDx talk is about healing the aging out crisis affecting youth in foster care.

Jonathan Harris

Publishing + Entrepreneuership

Jonathan C. Harris was raised in Fort Washington, Maryland. In 2016, Jonathan published his debut book, “Master of Ceremonies: A Male’s Guide for a Successful Life,” and he will soon be releasing his next two children’s books, “Growing Gents” and “Girls with Pearls.” He has received over 100 honors and awards over his lifetime in academics, community service, and other fields. He is the founder of the movement #GiveAuthorsAChance, which encourages kids to read more, be exposed to more authors, and advocates for more media outlets to recognize and support authors. His TEDx talk focuses on the value of writing, publishing, and pushing one’s creative outlets forward.

Kayra Clouden

Philosophy + Lifestyle

Kayra Clouden is a 23 year old artist from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands currently living in Brooklyn. While she’s currently working in Development at MTV & VH1, her roles also include that of a Producer, Writer, Actress, and more! Kayra has always been fascinated with philosophy, existentialism and the questions that challenge the unknown areas of the human experience, which can be seen in her first independent web-series, ADULTIN’. While most of her work is rooted in exposing truths that she discovers daily and presenting them to others to spark inspiration, discourse, and more, she’s still in the process of defining her own creative voice. With a powerful mind inundated with ideas, Kayra plans to use her life’s experiences to create art through mixed media and to share it with those who choose to engage. Her TEDx talk details an impactful philosophy that teaches people to use their relationship with “bad faith” to the benefit of their goals and creative expression.

Max Korten

Mental Health

Max Korten is an Assessment Specialist at Strayer University. He used to work at Lincoln University in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Planning as a Research and Assessment Coordinator. Max is originally from Long Island, NY, and currently lives in Philadelphia. He attended Moravian College where he was a member of the cross country and track team and Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He also has a master’s degree in Higher Education from Merrimack College, where he specialized in Leadership and Organizational Development. Max is passionate about student learning, educational innovations and leadership. In his free time, Max enjoys soul cycling, reading, playing the piano and making friends. He hopes that his TEDx talk will inspire positive change within others.

Mercedes Smith

Global awareness

At the age of 14, Mercedes Smith took the initiative to contact the editor at Newsday.com regarding its lack of coverage of the Darfur genocides. Her search for increased social awareness in the media inspired her devotion to promote positive change for others. Mercedes is the founder of Care More, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering hope to the homeless community through outreach events and innovative programming. Her philanthropic work has gained recognition from Oprah Winfrey, BET Networks, and other popular news outlets. Her TEDx talk will focus on homelessness and the idea of caring more.