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 Bridge
229 E Sheridan Ave
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104
United States

Amy Downs

Amy Downs was one of the last survivors to be pulled from the rubble of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing in which a total of 168 people were killed including 18 of her 33 co-workers. While buried alive and waiting to die, she realized she had never really lived. She began her career as a teller 32 years ago working for Federal Employees Credit Union located in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. At the time of the bombing, Downs was a credit card loan officer who flunked out of college and weighed more than 350 pounds. In the coming years, she’d not only lose 200 pounds, but become a triathlete—and even compete in an Ironman Triathlon. She’d not only go back to school, but she’d graduate with a Masters of Business Administration. She’d not only get promoted by Federal Employees Credit Union (who would soon change their name to Allegiance Credit Union) but she eventually became its CEO—an award winning CEO, no less.

Courtland Warren

With over 10,000 hours logged, Courtland Warren is an authentic and relevant thought leader and master facilitator in large group awareness training. On stage, he looms as an intriguing combination of power, humor, and empathy. Courtland’s certitude stems from his stated purpose, “to make new the thoughts of people about what they are capable of being”. Born and raised in Idabel, Oklahoma, he saw education as a path to experiencing more of the world. With this view, Courtland has blazed a trail from his neighborhood Main St., to Johannesburg, South Africa; London, U.K.; and across North America leveraging intelligence, charisma, and voice. No matter the size of the audience Courtland knows each person listens and hears as an individual and has an uncanny ability to connect. Courtland studied organizational behavior and graduated from Oklahoma State University. After a short stint in the oil and gas industry, he was inspired by the need for diversity and inclusion in corporate America and has added value to industry titans Coca-Cola, UPS, GE, Williams, Kimberly Clark, and Chick-fil-A. Almost 15 years ago, Courtland decided to “hang a shingle” as a transformational speaker and workshop facilitator and is today a pertinent contributor to empowering people to raise their resilience quotient in order to live a meaningful life.

Richard Janes

Richard Janes is a personal brand expert with a passion for storytelling. His career has seen him support some of America’s top actors, athletes, musicians, and television hosts, as well as entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and teams at major organizations such as EA Games. His dedication to helping people find their unique life purpose through the development of a personal brand has earned him countless awards, including an Emmy®.