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).

Crossroads Uptown
42 Calhoun St
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219
United States

Destiny Fordham

Destiny Fordham is a multifaceted professional and is an experienced DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) trainer and facilitator at the Center for Employment Opportunities. In 2019, Destiny was awarded the Emerging Leadership Award through Bank of America. Since, Destiny has devoted her life to shaping the experiences of youth and adults through the power of education and storytelling, creating and facilitating DEI training for staff and students across the country.

Dr. Anil Menon

Anil Menon has been a lifelong student of both the sciences and humanities for many decades (ever since he couldn't decide where his real interests lay!). He loves teaching, and engaging students in deep discussions in both the Sciences and the Humanities. He serves as the Associate Dean of baccalaureate programs in the College of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. He also serves as a professor in the department of molecular genetics, biochemistry and microbiology.

Dr. Chad McKinney

Professor of psychology

Dr. Chad D. McKinney is the author of, "Heaven in the Now: A Journey Through Mind, Body & Soul". He works as a professor of psychology for Southwestern College's college bound curriculum. He has served as an Energy healer and meditation coach since 2014. Dr. McKinney has spoken as a guest lecturer at high schools and colleges regarding meditation, optimal performance, Tantra, human sexuality, community building, and life satisfaction. In 2006, he founded a nonprofit organization in San Diego, California; while completing his Master’s of Science in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy in 2010. He has a passion for surfing, self-improvement, traveling, and helping people. He has been featured in the Huffington Post and Los Angeles Times, as well as appeared across a variety of television, government, and community broadcasts.

Dr. Ronnie Gladden

Dr. Ronnie Gladden is an actor, rising author, tenured academic, and a diversity & inclusion speaker who seeks to expand inclusivity and equity in schools, non-profits & in businesses.

Dr. Sakthivel Sadayappan

Dr. Sadayappan is currently Professor of Internal Medicine and a leading cardiovascular scientist at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. Although he currently leads a team of cardiovascular investigators at the University of Cincinnati, his beginnings were humbling, having come from a farming family in a small village in the southernmost part of India. The path he traveled was arduous, and it involved significant struggles. He finished his Bachelor’s degree in Botany in 1987 at the American College in Madurai, India, and Master’s in Botany in 1991 at VHNSN College in Virudhunagar, India. For his doctoral work, he studied cardiovascular disease and was awarded a PhD in Biochemistry from Madurai Kamaraj University, India in 1999. For his postdoctoral training, Dr. Sadayappan went to the Max-Planck- Institute in Bad Nauheim, Germany, and then to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2002. Beginning his career as an independent investigator, he was appointed to the post of tenure-track Assistant Professor in September 2009 at Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois. In July 2014, Dr. Sadayappan was promoted to Associate Professor of Cell and Molecular Physiology. As an established researcher, he made significant contributions to the heart disease field, including over 135 original peer-reviewed articles in high-impact and top-tier journals. Dr. Sadayappan is recognized as a highly skilled professor and is currently an active member in the community offering his services. As a mentor, he is passionate about providing resources, training, and guidance to his students and trainees. With an international background, a presence in the U.S. for 25 years and as a bench scientist in high-pressure settings, he speaks directly on the topic of work-life balance from his own heart and experience.

Heath Rutledge-Jukes

A recent graduate of Florida Southern College, Heath Rutledge-Jukes scored in the 99th percentile on the MCAT®. He aims to help other pre-health students by sharing the tools and strategies which helped him succeed through a fun, engaging app. By leveraging his background in pedagogy and experience in digital solutions, he has created King of the Curve, with the goal of mitigating education inequities.

Lily Edinam Botsyoe

Information Technology Student & Researcher

Lily Edinam Botsyoe is a master's in information technology student who researches on the deployment of technology in service of public needs. As an aspiring Tech Policy Analyst, she speaks widely on issues related to the internet with a particular interest in Women and Youth Inclusion, Accessibility, Cybersecurity and Digital Sustainability. Lily coordinates the Ghana Youth Internet Governance Forum and is a member of the steering committee for the West African Youth Internet Governance Forum. She is part of the 30 women awarded the STEM Woman Honour 2020 at the National Women in STEM Honours in Ghana for her contribution in the field of work and education under STEM. This has spurred her interest to start a book-based mentorship to build a STEM Identity for girls through a color book. Lily was recently given the award for the 2021 Research and Knowledge Builder in Ghana by the Coalition for Digital Equality.

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is a multimedia artist, designer, and poet. He takes on the role of artist as archivist; collecting things, spaces, and histories to add to his art and life. Michael currently holds positions as Artist-in-Residence at The Cincinnati Art Museum and The Contemporary Arts Center. His practice utilizes painting, sculpture, poetry, and installation as he explores creative empathy, human ecology, and nuance within the black experience. Michael recently received ArtsWave’s Truth and Reconciliation Grant for his project, “Sanctuaries” which gives insight into the sacred spaces of BIPOC creatives as a manner of combatting a trauma-focused narrative within media and culture.

Rena Lenchitz

Rena is a dual degree Medical Sciences and English student. She is a writer for the Medical Sciences Chronicles, authoring articles on literature and film and its relationship with medicine and science. She hopes to pursue higher education in the field of Medical Humanities or Narrative Medicine, combining her interdisciplinary passions in the hopes of creating real change.

Sid Thatham

Sid Thatham is an Energy Engineer in the Department of Utilities and teaches on and off at the University of Cincinnati (UC). He is originally from India and moved to Cincinnati to go to grad school at UC. He graduated in 2017 with a Master's in ChemE and an MBA. Photography, tech., memes, international affairs, the outer space are among his various interests. He co-hosts podcasts on grad life and loves talking about movies and tv shows from all over the world.