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).

The Florida Theatre
128 East Forsyth Street
Jacksonville, Florida, 32202
United States

Brandon Griggs

Brandon Griggs is a student activist and advocate for “at-risk” youth who, like him, have lived in the epicenter of gang and gun violence in Jacksonville and experienced its traumatic effects. As an advisor to Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, he represents Florida’s youth and brings attention to problems that students face, but that aren’t getting enough awareness. He was also elected to serve on the Jacksonville City Council Task Force on Safety and Crime Reduction, where he proposes further legislation on the violence that has so deeply impacted him. Brandon currently works as a national spokesperson for the Campaign for Youth Justice.

Daron Babcock

Daron Babcock left a successful corporate career in private equity along with his comfortable home in Frisco, Texas to serve in the inner-city community of Bonton. Although Bonton is historically known for its high crime, poverty and violence, he believes another world is possible. Daron’s broad professional experience coupled with his heart for serving inner-city communities brings a fresh and innovative perspective to solving problems there. He founded Bonton Farms in 2014 where he currently serves as Executive Director. Daron and his wife Theda have lived and served in Bonton since 2012.

Husain Abbas

Originally from the sunny Kingdom of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf, Dr. Husain Abbas attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and subsequently completed his surgical residency and fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery in the United States. His interests are in utilizing robotic technology to treat obesity and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Abbas is currently the medical director of the bariatric program and the program director of robotic surgery at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, where he also has a busy surgical practice. He focuses on cost-effective surgical treatments for complex gastrointestinal diseases, surgical treatment of obesity, reduction in opioid use, and the complex impact of robotic technology on patients and surgeons.

Jacksonville University Singers

Selected annually by audition, the twenty-five members of the Jacksonville University Singers perform an eclectic and challenging repertoire spanning the centuries and the globe including Renaissance polyphony, Baroque and Classical masterworks, folksongs, music theatre, opera and new music by living composers. The University Singers have performed for conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, the Florida Music Educators Association and the Music Teachers National Association. Other notable performances include concerts in New York’s Avery Fisher Hall, England’s Canterbury Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, La Madeline - Paris, the Basilica of St. Nicholas – Nantes, and numerous collaborations with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. The University Singers give over twenty performances each year on campus, in the community and on tour. A concert tour of Italy in May 2016 included performances in Florence, Venice and Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica. The Dance Department at Jacksonville University is dedicated to providing excellent programs of study in dance with the infusion of a strong liberal arts education. Dance training includes ballet, modern and jazz dance techniques, creative compositional projects, historical and theoretical thinking, multi-performance opportunities and aesthetics taught by an outstanding faculty with both professional and academic credentials.

Jeff Sheffield

Jeff Sheffield, a 27-year transportation professional, is the executive director of the independent four-county North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (North Florida TPO) handling transportation planning and prioritizing in the region. He has a Master of Science in urban planning from Florida State University. In his role, Mr. Sheffield leads regional coordination and policy development and oversees project management for the many short and long-term programs and studies prescribed by federal law. Working with partner agencies, he has championed results-oriented investment in intelligent transportation systems (ITS), traffic incident management, safety, bicycle and pedestrian planning, freight and logistics planning, Clean Fuels Coalition, and multi-modal mobility improvements. Most recently, Sheffield has focused on implementing North Florida TPO’s Smart Region Master Plan that uses innovative and emerging technologies to collect, analyze and apply data from many sources to enhance the region’s economic vitality and quality of life. This includes developing an integrated data exchange (IDE) and the Bay JAX Innovation Corridor. The Florida Transportation Commission has cited the North Florida TPO as the model for regional transportation planning organizations. Sheffield is also a frequent speaker and panel moderator on infrastructure and other transportation topics.

Joy Young

As executive director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, Joy Young is committed to shaping strategy, as well as developing and executing proactive and quantifiable arts and cultural-based initiatives that address priority issues such as economic and community development. She advocates for arts funding, policy development and reform, and implements initiatives and programs that support the vision that the arts and culture are recognized by all as essential for quality of life in Northeast Florida. In addition to giving back to her community as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, Joy has more than 25 years of experience in the arts as a vocalist, arts administrator, and an academic. She is a recitalist, sanctuary soloist, and studio background vocalist. Her work in academia includes adjunct teaching at Benedict College, the University of South Carolina, and Winthrop University; guest lecturer at Coastal Carolina University and College of Charleston; and a contributor to research and textbook development. Joy holds a Bachelors of Arts in music, a Master of Arts in voice performance, and has completed coursework for a Ph.D. in organizational leadership. Joy’s combination of education and experience provides both strength of practice and application that are critically important to Jacksonville’s key public sector arts and culture position.

Linda Argila

Linda Argila is a professional writer, speaker, and advocate for people faced with life challenges, principally women and children impacted by incarceration. Licensed and bonded by the Attorney General of New York for Professional Fundraising, she is widely recognized as a leader in philanthropy. Her philanthropic career grew out of the life-shattering experience that led her to form Solutions from the Heart, an award-winning fundraising, event management, and consulting firm. Over the past decade, Linda has raised more than $30 million for charity. She has spearheaded countless groundbreaking events and fundraising campaigns, including the star-studded ARTrageous and Dream Extreme. In addition to being honored with the Sara Curry Humanitarian Award, she has appeared on FOX, ABC, NBC’s “New York Nightly News,” and “CBS Morning News,” and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal. She holds the unique distinction of ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange as well as the NASDAQ opening and closing bells within the span of six months. Linda lives in New York City and has an incredible bond with her 28-year-old daughter Ash

Mal Jones

Mal Jones is a recording artist, founder of The Lyricist Live, emcee, award-winning Jacksonville hip-hop/folk artist, educator, and documentarian. He hosts The Lyricist Live at Downtown Vision’s monthly First Wednesday Artwalk. A Bronx-born, 23-year resident of Duval County, and pioneer of the Jacksonville indie hip-hop scene, he teaches youth using uses hip-hop culture as an educational tool with school programs based on hip-hop. In 2013, Mal Jones became the first hip hop artist in Florida history labeled a “folk artist” by The Florida Folklife Program-Division of Historical Resources for the traditional skill of improvisational freestyle rapping. Mal is also a public speaker, guest lecturer, and advocate for arts and education, hosting a number of hip hop workshops that focus on writing and literacy. In 2015, Mal also started the state-funded Folklife Apprenticeship Program that teaches the traditional skill of freestyle rapping as an official state folk art for the first time in history.

Michael Platt

Michael Platt is a 14-year-old baker, business owner, social entrepreneur, and food justice advocate. Michael has been baking since he was 9 years old, but has been interested in the challenges of inequality since he learned about the historic March on Washington at age 6. Michael comes from a home of educators and advocates and began to ask questions early on about the challenges of inequity. Inspired by a pair of TOMS shoes he received as a present, Michael decided that he would begin a baking business with a one-for-one model. From the beginning of Michaels Desserts, he has donated a dessert to someone in need for every one dessert that he sells. With this model Michael has served hundreds of people and provided over 12,000 meals. Michael appeared with 11 of the best kid bakers in the country in season four of “Kids Baking Championship” on Food Network and has appeared on “Good Morning America” and “Access Hollywood” as well as CNN and CBS.

Phillip Singleton

Phillip A. Singleton is a best-selling author, political strategist, and influencer known as the Hip Hop Lobbyist. In 2014, he founded the full-service governmental affairs and multicultural outreach firm Singleton Consulting. Phillip previously served as Legislative Director for a law firm, providing clients with legislative guidance, culturally targeted messaging and strategic campaign outreach. In 2010, at the age of 24, he became the youngest African-American lobbyist in Florida’s history. During his time working in Florida’s political process, Phillip has played an instrumental role in passing legislation regarding the expansion of Major League Soccer in Florida; securing resources for top 50 and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs); campaign and election reform; along with securing millions in state resources for various local government and economic development projects. Since opening his firm in 2014, Phillip Singleton has given underserved communities, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education a seat at the political table. He has secured millions in resources for at-risk youth programs and economic development initiatives in urban communities throughout Florida. He has been recognized by many governmental and media entities for his work with millennials and in bridging the gap between politics and urban culture. He was proud in 2018 to serve U.S. Congressman Al Lawson (FL) as his Senior Advisor in his successful reelection campaign. He is married to Jalencia A. Singleton of Delray Beach, Florida.

Rawan Al-kharboosh

Rawan Al-kharboosh is a Ph.D. candidate with dual appointments in the Neurosciences and the Regenerative Sciences Training Programs at the Mayo Clinic. She graduated top of her class at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Cancer Center. In 2018, she was invited to speak at the 10th International Forum of NGOs with UNESCO. Her work helped acquire an Investigational New Drug (IND) from the FDA for a point-of-care device in clinical trials using stem cells for regeneration. Rawan is currently using nanoparticles to engineer novel adipose-derived cellular applications for the intraoperative treatment of brain cancer and other pathologies of the CNS.

Tammy Hodo

Dr. Tammy L. Hodo is the President of All Things Diverse LLC, an educational consulting company working with organizations to optimize employee productivity through recognizing the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tammy earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in urban studies, with a minor in sociology and specializations in race, class, gender, and ethnicity. Tammy has provided training to local and national organizations all under the umbrella of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has written course content on implicit biases and micro aggressions for a national educational vendor that is being used at hundreds of colleges and universities. She has worked in academia for over 10 years in a variety of positions, including faculty and university administrator. Her most recent administrative role was the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for a law school where she was responsible for policy development and overall institutional compliance for students, faculty, and staff related to discrimination and harassment. Tammy recently completed a Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology position at the University of North Florida.

The Silhouettes

The 16-voice vocal jazz group, Silhouettes, bring a different approach to the work of the Vocal Department from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. They are in constant demand in the region and have performed at major venues and for large organizations throughout the years. Highlights include shows for the Florida Blue Veteran’s Day Celebration, for the Jacksonville Convention Bureau Showcase in Charlotte, for the Jacksonville Symphony as pre-show entertainment, and just last month for the TedX Convention in Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre. Their director, Jeffrey Clayton, is currently in his 20th year at DA. He is extremely proud of his school and to be a member of a faculty that has received two GRAMMY AWARDs from the Grammy Foundation (2010 & 2012)—the top prize as the National GRAMMY Signature School—the best high school music program in the United States! His choirs have been selected to perform at state, regional, and national American Choral Directors Association Conventions. Conductor/Teacher Jeffrey Clayton is finishing his 20th year as Vocal Department Chair at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida. He is extremely proud of his school and is honored to be a member of a faculty that has received two GRAMMY AWARDs from the Grammy Foundation (2010 & 2012)—the top prize as the National GRAMMY Signature School—the best high school music program in the United States!

Thomas Hargrove

Thomas K. Hargrove is a retired Washington, D.C.-based investigative journalist and former White House correspondent. He founded the nonprofit Murder Accountability Project in 2015 to track unsolved homicides nationwide. While working as a national correspondent for the Scripps Howard News Service, Hargrove developed an algorithm that uses FBI homicide data to identify clusters of murders with an elevated probability of containing serial killings. Authorities in Youngstown, Ohio, and Gary, Indiana, opened new homicide investigations in 2010 as a result of Hargrove’s findings. The algorithm’s identification of 15 unsolved strangulations in Gary was corroborated in 2014 with the arrest of Darren Deon Vann, who confessed to killing women for decades. Working with fellow board member Prof. David J. Icove of the University of Tennessee, Hargrove developed another algorithm that can review the National Fire Incident Reporting System to identify undetected or unreported arsons. Working with Professor Guido H. Stempel III of Ohio University, Hargrove co-founded the Scripps Survey Research Center and co-edited a two-volume encyclopedia, The 21st Century Voter: Who Votes, How They Vote and Why They Vote, published by ABC-CLIO in late 2015.