Theme: Amplify

This is a virtual event for attendees

Noise. The last year has been filled with it. Unfortunately, through all the noise, some ideas and voices are not heard. TEDxTexasStateUniversity is ready to Amplify these voices. The goal of the 2021 theme is to embrace and Amplify underrepresented voices, under-served communities, or ideas that we now take for granted. Our talks will represent a variety of fields and perspectives including technology, health, the arts, media, social science, the humanities, and the hard sciences. We invite you to join us for a virtual day of inspiration and conversation as we Amplify ideas that can help us navigate our new reality. Help us cut through the noise.

Texas State University - Performing Arts Center
405 Moon Street
San Marcos, Texas, 78666
United States

Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez

Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Jolt Action

The founder of two of Texas’ largest voting and civil rights organizations- Jolt and Workers Defense Project. Cristina is a leading civil rights leader and former 2020 U.S. Senate candidate. Cristina is an author on issues of race, gender and immigration, and she is the co-author of “Presente! Latino Immigrant Voices in the Struggle for Racial Justice” published by AK Press (2014). She was named “Hero of the New South” by Southern Living Magazine and her work has been featured on NPR, Vogue, and The New York Times, among others.

Jennifer Johnson

Content Creator for IT Assistance at Texas State University and Neurodiversity Advocate

The Content Creator for the IT Assistance Center at Texas State University. Online, Jennifer openly shares her experiences of what it is like to be an Autistic BIPOC, and how her late diagnosis helped her to truly understand herself. She spends her free time teaching yoga, furthering her martial arts studies, playing drums and singing in various bands, and acting as a fierce neurodiversity advocate.

Marcus Peoples Jr.

Children's Book Author

Marcus published a children’s book called “Proud to Be In Between”, which helps children embrace their cultural identity and empowers parents to normalize the difficult conversations of race and ethnicity. He has been an advocate for his community rooted in humble beginnings and strives to become a vessel of opportunity for all those he encounters. He strives to empower every kid to be their authentic selves, no matter what society says.

Melodie Graves

2nd Vice President of the Amarillo Branch NAACP and Vice President of Solidarity Isn't Silent

2nd Vice President of the Amarillo Branch NAACP, also serving as the ACT-SO and Youth Chairwoman, Scholarship Committee Chair, and plans community engagement events for the Branch. Melodie also serves as the Vice-President of Solidarity isn’t Silent. In her spare time, Melodie serves as a community advocate helping children and their parents find important resources and working to eradicate poverty through educational programs and community unity building events.

Qy'Darrius McEachern

Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life at Texas State University, Content Creator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Graduate Student in Student Affairs Higher Education program at Texas State University

A DEI speaker, consultant, and content creator who has committed himself to researching and educating people on the systemic oppressions impacting us every single day through an antiracist lens. He is the founder of McEachernSpeaks, which specializes in providing an IMPACTFUL experience through consultations, workshops, + conversations aimed at leading organizations to analyze unjust systems and create equitable spaces.

Sean Huiet

Head Volleyball Coach, Texas State University

Sean Huiet took over as head coach for the 2020 season after spending 14 seasons as the assistant coach/associate head for the Bobcat volleyball program. Since joining the staff in 2006, Huiet has helped guide Texas State to 10 total championship titles, half with the Southland Conference and the other half with the Sun Belt Conference. Huiet is speaking at TEDx about his journey as an openly gay father of an adopted black son and how he is navigating those roles as a Division I head coach.

Shailen Singh

Assistant Professor of Workforce & Leadership Studies at Texas State University

Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational, Workforce & Leadership Studies at Texas State University with a research focus on issues affecting parents of children with disabilities. Dr. Singh has spent several years working with faculty, staff, and outside constituents to create intentional and thoughtful structures designed to provide underrepresented students with the best opportunities for success.