Theme: Only Connect

2 TED Talks. 2 Live Speakers. 4 Topics. 1 Theme – Only Connect!

Laura Sievert
Alana Banks

TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design, TED, converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events, like TEDxDecaturPublicLibrary, help share ideas in local communities around the world.

TED’s Mission? Spread ideas

Just think… Decatur is a part of a global community. With TED, we are welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. Like TED, we believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. TED is building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world's most inspired thinkers — and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other, both online and at TED and TEDx events around the world, all year long. Our Decatur and surrounding community is a part of it!

TED is owned by a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation. Their agenda is to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation. TEDxDecaturPublicLibrary welcomes you to hear these great ideas and be a part of the conversation it sparks!

Decatur Public Library
130 N. Franklin St.
Madden Auditorium
Decatur, Illinois, 62523
United States

Alana Banks

Community Organizer, LGBTQIA+ Activist

3 year old, Alana Giselle Banks, is a graduate of Eisenhower High School, serial entrepreneur, community organizer, and LGBTQIA+ activist residing in Decatur, Illinois. Alana Banks is a proud Black woman of transgender experience and identifies with she/her pronouns.

Laura Sievert

Executive Director of America's First Arts Council

Laura Sievert is the executive director of Arts Quincy, America's First Arts Council, located in West Central Illinois. She's a graduate of the University of Iowa and will receive her masters of public administration from University of Missouri this fall. She is the lead organizer of TEDxQuincy, a co-founder of a women's philanthropy group, and sits on several boards of directors including the Illinois Local Arts Network Executive Board, Trees for Tomorrow and Habitat for Humanity. She has a 4 year old and a 2 year old son and is married, and enjoys all things creative, especially music.