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).

Van Dyke Performance Space
200 Davie St
Greensboro, North Carolina, 27401
United States

Ballet Folklorico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz

North Carolina has an excellent Mexican Folk-dance group known as Ballet Folklorico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz. When Julio Ruiz came to the United States in search of a better life, he brought with him his knowledge of one of his greatest passions — dance. After residing here for some years, he decided to form the dance group Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, to which he provided choreography and leadership for more than five years. Ruiz continued with his work and formed the group Ballet Folklorico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz, but this time also creating a series of dance workshops open to anyone. The Greensboro Cultural Arts Center opened the doors to Ruiz bringing this project to life with his first workshop in September of 2012. Ballet Folklorico was a crowd-pleasing performer at the 2018 North Carolina Folk Festival, at Greensboro's 2019 "This Community Sings" at the Carolina Theatre, half-time at a Carolina Panthers game, and at the 2021 Art in the Arboretum festival!

Dona Edwards

Dona Edwards worked in corporate America for almost 25 years as a Mechanical Engineer working on space shuttle and satellite technology and most recently as an Executive practicing Intellectual Property law. She was responsible for driving the global intellectual property strategy, managing litigations and providing general legal advice. Dona is thought-leader and speaker sharing stories on the subjects of DEI, empathy, fashion and scoliosis. She has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Stanford, a JD from George Washington University Law School and a MBA from UVA Darden School of Business.

Forence Bigsby

As a military spouse of 23 years, Forence Bigsby, MBA, lived on four continents honing diverse cultural awareness. In Japan she represented military spouses, promoted education and cultural awareness as Mrs. Yokota 2010 while being awarded community service awards in 2009 & 2010. Bigsby is a HR career professional winning divisional awards at Intel and currently driving change initiatives at Autodesk. As the founder of NovoNexum and Novontis, she is creating innovative working environments and promoting TDaaS, Talent Development as a Service.

James Gardner

James Gardner is the husband of Faith father of five children, James, Carson, Luke, Aaron, and Imani. He and Faith met his freshman year at their now alma mater Hampton University. While at Hampton He earned his bachelors of science degree in Biology. He returned to Hampton to complete a Masters of science degree in medical science. Along with being an educator in Guilford County schools, James volunteers his time to a non-profit organization called PDY&F. He serves as the Director of the Community Garden Project. In his free time James enjoys spending time with his family.

Jasmé Kelly

Entertainer

Once you've heard Jasme' Kelly, you will never forget her sultry, soulful, gritty voice and fingers dancing on a fretboard. "The Daughter of Soul" blends the traditions of folk, jazz, blues and soul into a sound that is all her own. She has opened for legendary artists like BB. King, Al Jarreau, Stanley Clarke, Maceo Parker, Victor Wooten, and George Duke. Jasmé's songwriting credits include the track "Holla," which was featured in the movies Garfield, and Kicking and Screaming, as well as the television shows Malcolm in the Middle and Las Vegas. In 2021 she developed and produced a show at Greensboro's Carolina Theatre featuring the life, influence, and music of Nina Simone, The woman, the voice and guitar can create the most intimate moment or bring down the house with her dynamic range while she displays a deep knowledge of the art of performing! This is a true artist.

Jessica Gifford

Jessica has over 20 years of experience developing and implementing evidence-based strategies to improve mental health and well-being. Through her work Jessica has come to recognize connection as the most powerful protection we have against depression. She founded ProjectConnect in 2020 to address the loneliness pandemic and offer tools to build connection and community. Jessica has trained over 50 organizations on the ProjectConnect model, which facilitates meaningful interactions and builds positive relationships. She writes a weekly blog "101 Ways to Create Connection and Community."

Julie D'Ann H.

Julie started practicing meditation and yoga about 15 years ago. She's always been physically active, exploring different fitness and healthy dieting routines, her entire life. She is a parent and has worked with kids of all ages off and on throughout her various careers. It has only been in the past couple of years through intense exploration and study of meditative practices, breathwork and intentional movement that Julie discovered her passion. Sharing her experiences while bringing these life-changing practices into classrooms has become Julie's mission.

Larry and Joe Larry Bellorín and Joe Troop

Entertainer

Meet musical duo, Larry & Joe! Larry Bellorín hails from Monagas, Venezuela, and is a legend of Llanera music. Joe Troop is from North Carolina and is a GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and old-time musician. They perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music (Venezualachia: Nuevo South) on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, guitar, maracas, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. Their original songwriting gives voice to poignant social issues. Larry and Joe are both versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders.

Mary Beth Janke

Psychologist, College Professor, Mentor, Author. Mary Beth is a forensic and clinical psychologist who has traveled an extraordinary path as one of a small minority of female Special Agents (9%) in the Secret Service in the early 1990s. After her government service, she entered the world of international executive protection where she earned the title of being the only female to ever officially protect a foreign president outside of the United States. She has gathered valuable insights into the level-headedness, self-confidence, and mental and physical resilience required to succeed in life.

Merrick Rosenberg

Merrick Rosenberg founded Team Builders Plus in 1991 and Take Flight Learning in 2012. He is the author of five books about tapping into the power of your personality, including The Chameleon and Personality Wins. Merrick has worked with more than half of the Fortune 100 companies in the U.S. and around the world. Under Merrick’s leadership as CEO, his companies have been selected as the New Jersey Business of the Year by NJ Biz Magazine and repeatedly named as one of the Fastest Growing Companies and Best Places to Work in the Philadelphia area by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Michael Fenster

Michael S. Fenster, MD, aka Chef Dr. Mike, is one of a handful of physicians worldwide to hold both culinary and medical degrees and is the only Interventional Cardiologist and Professional Chef to do so. He is the only cardiologist with joint academic appointments in both the Medical and Culinary Arts. He is also the only such person to teach Culinary Medicine at the collegiate level, offering a graduate course at The University of Montana. His teachings focus on positively re-examining our relationship with food and by extension our relationship with each other, society, and the planet.

Monique Robinson Tawiah

Monique Robinson is currently a meteorologist at WFMY in Greensboro; however, most know her as 'Mo' from her original televised series 'Mo on the Go!" wherein she features phenomenal women in STEM fields across the Central Piedmont. In 2022, she was named one of 40 Under 40 Most Influential African-Americans in the Triad and one of 30 Under 30 Top Alumni of the University of Maryland, College Park. In 2021, she earned her master's in Applied Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Monique began her career as the first black meteorologist at WWAY in July 2018.

Rita Moore

Rita Flores Moore is an award-winning speaker, focused on Senior Wisdom. She empowers individuals to achieve more by living life to the fullest. Rita blends enthusiasm, humor, and powerful motivational stories to deliver life-changing messages, which remind individuals that experience is a Blessing, and there is joy in aging. She shares wisdom that will help you analyze what is important, and overcome obstacles that stop you from aging gracefully. Rita blends her corporate background with life experience to redefine aging and convey points for successful senior living.

Sue Schwartz

Sue Schwartz, FAICP, is the Planning Director Greensboro, NC. She is recognized for her creative approaches of community engagement and implementation of plans. Sue was the Project Manager for Southside, a redevelopment area in a corner of downtown Greensboro, and it is recognized as one of the first applications of Traditional Neighborhood Development concepts for an infill area. It received national awards from US EPA, the American Planning Association and the Sierra Club. Sue served as President of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is a member of the AICP College of Fellows.