Theme: Leap of Faith

On April 13, 2019, join us at TEDxYale: Leap of Faith. During a time when we are perhaps wanting in faith towards ourselves, others, or society at large we have curated stories regarding leaps of faith taken in personal life, academic pursuit, the creative process, and elsewhere. We're proud to invite over 10 featured speakers, ranging from voice actors to cartoonists, to law enforcement experts and students. Learn more about our speakers at facebook.com/TEDxYale.

The mission of TEDxYale is to bring ideas worth spreading from around the world to the Yale-New Haven Community.

Given licensing restrictions, our maximum capacity is 100 audience members.

The Anlyan Center Auditorium
300 Cedar Street
New Haven, Connecticut, 06519
United States

Amy Hwang

Cartoonist, The New Yorker

Amy Hwang’s cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker since 2010. Born and raised in Texas, Amy moved to New York to study architecture at Barnard College where she started drawing cartoons for the Columbia Daily Spectator. She concurrently worked in architecture jobs and worked as a cartoonist until 2018 when she made the decision to focus on cartoons full-time. She currently lives in Scarsdale with her daughter.

Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Yale

An official student organization at Yale University dedicated to the expression of Mexican folkloric dance.

Brendan Campbell

Student, Yale College

Brendan Campbell is a sophomore at Yale majoring in Cognitive Science. Hailing from Missoula, Montana, he's passionate about all things outside: from leading first years backpacking as a FOOT leader to making pizza with the Yale Sustainable Food Program on the Yale Farm. In his spare time, Brendan loves singing as a member of the Yale Glee Club, taking long walks with friends, thrift-shopping, and coaching the Yale Club Swim Team. As a Cognitive Science major, he believes there's no better lens through which to understand the questions we face than the human mind, and hopes that through his talk, people will think even more about how the way we think shapes the reality we all share.

Cedric Alexander

Deputy Mayor of Rochester

Dr. Cedric L. Alexander is currently the Deputy Mayor of Rochester, NY. Dr. Alexander began his law enforcement career in 1977 and was a law enforcement officer in Florida for 15 years. He has since served as Chief of Police in the Rochester and DeKalb County Police Departments, Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and has held several leadership roles at the University of Rochester Department of Psychiatry in New York. Dr. Alexander has appeared on national media networks to provide comment on police-community relations and has written multiple editorials as a CNN law enforcement analyst. He has lectured on police stress and burnout, and currently trains on topics of management and leadership, centered around 21st Century Policing.

Gabriel Conte Cortez Martins

Student, Yale College

Gabriel Conte Cortez Martins is a Junior at Yale studying molecular biophysics and biochemistry. Originally, from Brazil, Gabriel immigrated to the United States in 2015, residing in Miami, Florida, where he finished his high school education and attended Miami Dade College prior to transferring to Yale. Gabriel is interested in the intersection between science and humanitarianism, having performed research in Structural Bioinformatics and worked with Human Rights Organizations in the past. At the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Gabriel received a national award for his research in molecular biology. After graduating from college, Gabriel wants to study public health and eventually pursue a career in medicine.

Jonathan Wolff

Film Composer

Acclaimed musician Jonathan Wolff moved to Los Angeles at age 17 and found success in Hollywood’s TV & Film studios, becoming the composer and songwriter for 75 primetime network TV series. Wolff also wrote the TV themes for 44 of those shows, including Seinfeld and Will & Grace. In 2005, Jonathan Wolff retired and moved with his family back to his hometown, Louisville, KY. Now, he thrills lecture/concert audiences with wonderful studio insider stories, business advice for aspiring creative professionals, and Q/A about his musical journey and remarkable Hollywood career. More info at https://seinfeldmusicguy.com/

Nyamal Tuor

Student, Yale College

Nyamal Tuor is an Ethiopian born South Sudanese-American documentarian and student at Yale. She spends her time studying and working on films, organizing events at the Yale Women's Center, and enjoying music.

Scott Rummell

Voice Actor

Scott Rummell is an American actor and voice actor. Rummell grew up listening to the baritone voice of his father, then LA City Fire Chief, in the media. After high school Rummell toured all over the world with the Continental Singers. Then at age 20 he got a job as an Account Executive at an Orange County, CA radio station and began voicing spots for some of his clients. Around this time he began a voiceover workshop and private study with his mentor Daws Butler, the voice of many well known cartoon characters such as Yogi Bear, Snagglepuss, Elroy Jetson, Captain Crunch and many others. In the mid 1980s, Rummell signed with his first agent. For ten years he enjoyed a successful commercial career before landing his first movie trailer. Now he is heard daily on ABC, CBS, CNN, The CW, Showtime and FOX, and has been heard on thousands of movie trailers and blockbuster film campaigns over the years. He lives and works at his home studio in Yorba Linda, California.

Shaun Mitchell

Teacher

Shaun Mitchell is an English teacher at Central High School in Bridgeport, CT. He teaches African-American Literature and AP Literature. In addition to his teaching duties, Shaun established The Central Players, an after-school drama club where his students can share their talents with their community. Shaun is also an active teacher consultant for The Connecticut Writing Project @ Fairfield University. Shaun was recognized as Bridgeport’s Teacher of the Year in 2015, and in 2016 he was a Finalist for Connecticut State Teacher of the Year. In 2018, Shaun was a recipient of the Yale Educator Award for Outstanding Dedication to Students.

Something Extra

Yale University's premiere all-women's A Cappella group

Taofeek Abijako

Artist, Fashion Designer

Nigerian-born Taofeek Abijako is a multidisciplinary artist recognized for his ability to express social and political commentary through the lens of “luxe-street” clothing. Abijako founded HEAD OF STATE in 2016, at age 17. In 2018, Abijako presented his Spring/Summer ’19 collection for HEAD OF STATE at New York Fashion Week: Men’s, making him the youngest designer to show at the event, giving him widespread acclaim across the industry. Recognized by the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018, Abijako has received press coverage with renowned magazines and platforms like the New York Times, Teen Vogue and i-D Magazine. HEAD OF STATE is sold internationally in prominent stores/retailers.