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).

African American performing arts
310 San Pedro ne
Albuqueruqe, New Mexico, 87108
United States

Abi Olvera

Road Fatality Prevention Advocate

With 7 years of experience as a US diplomat, Abi has been stationed as a public servant in Senegal, Egypt, and Washington D.C., and has travelled extensively to over 20 countries, including Nepal, Nigeria, and Japan. She is currently working in policy advising and research on preventing unlikely but very bad problems with global consequences, such as pandemics, accidental escalation, nuclear risk, and critical infrastructure protection. Across the world, these types of problems tend to be neglected because they're unlikely and impacting everyone equally, so few political actors emerge to focus on these. Abi loves finding other invisible norms and hidden cultural assumptions which vary widely across countries, such as road safety. She works on road safety issues as a board member of her neighborhood association and BikeABQ. Abi has an associates from El Paso Community College, a bachelor's in International Studies from University of Richmond, and a masters in Global Affairs from Yale.

AMarie Castillo

Comedian and "Part-Time Bro"

AMarie Castillo the vivacious, outspoken New Mexican will tell it to you straight. AMarie calls herself the "Part-Time Bro," and you've heard her dissecting the latest in sports on NMBA’s winning sports show “The Opening Drive” on 95.9 FM The Sports Animal. From what it's like to be five-foot-twelve to why her sports teams are better than yours, the themes of her stand-up acts appeal to both guys and gals. AMarie Castillo has performed all over NYC, including New York Comedy Club, Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, and The Stand, worked with Howard Stern on Howard TV, and traveled with the Miserable Men on the East Coast for Ronnie's Block Party.

Bettye Kearse

Black descendant of President James Madison and author of The Other Madisons: The Lost History of A President's Black Family

Bettye Kearse is a retired pediatrician who served Boston’s inner-city youths for more than thirty years. A resident of Santa Fe, NM, she is her family’s eighth-generation oral historian and author of the award-winning memoir The Other Madisons. She is a descendant of an enslaved cook and President James Madison. In recounting the struggles, perseverance, and contributions of her family, The Other Madisons illustrates that enslaved Africans possessed a strong belief in themselves by which they survived, contributed mightily to America and passed down that quality to their descendants--to believe in themselves so they can fulfill their dreams and make contributions throughout the world. Dr. Kearse has been a guest on multiple podcasts and radio shows, including NPR, and has given presentations for audiences of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Harvard University, M.I.T., the National Association of Black Journalists, and the American Bar Association.

Curt "C.J." Chavez

Personal Trainer

Curt “C.J.” Chavez brings the experience and stories of failures, breakthroughs, and successes of over 1.5 million lives he has touched through his company eVOLV Strong and its wellness programming. He is a native New Mexican, an Alumni of the Harvard Graduate School of Business, his fitness programming is used by individuals worldwide, a TEDx speaker, a Leadership Instructor for the Mexican University BUAPP, and an International Leadership Coach through the Global Wellness Initiative. C.J.'s work has been recognized by the United States SBA Entrepreneur of the Year, the Department of Commerce's Businessperson of the Year, and numerous other National and International awards. His personal motto is that he "Never Gives Up."

Gabe Mounce

Space Technology Innovator and Community Builder

Gabe is the Deputy Director of SpaceWERX, focused on adopting and adapting technology from the commercial sector toward US Space Force missions. He oversees the Spark and Ventures elements of the SpaceWERX portfolio to include the Hyperspace Challenge in Albuquerque and the Catalyst Space Accelerator in Colorado Springs which are connecting the commercial start-up industry to the US Space Force enterprise. He also leads the SpaceWERX Orbital Prime initiative aimed at accelerating the commercial market for reducing, reusing, and recycling debris in space. Gabe is the Technology Commercialization Lead for the New Mexico office of the Air Force Research Lab where he oversees technology transfer, commercialization, community engagement, outreach, marketing and publicity. Gabe is also a Colonel in the US Air Force Reserve where he serves on the command staff of the Space Operations Command-West which is responsible for integrating and employing space capabilities from across the DoD.

Kiki Garcia

Radio Personality. Influencer. Author.

Kiki Garcia is a morning radio personality in Albuquerque, waking up New Mexicans for over 15 years. Kiki can also be heard on stations nationwide working for Westwood One Radio. Her passion lies in using her voice to reach out to the community and help where it is needed. After a year of tragic loss and amazing discoveries about her own inner strength, Kiki wants to dedicate the rest of her life to helping people and spreading the message that, in the face of tragedy, you are not alone. Through numerous speaking engagements, Kiki is using her voice to tell the story of losing both her parents in the same year. While her father was in his hospital room, they talked about writing a book and sharing the wisdom they gleaned in hopes of helping others who are going through the same.

Michael Davis

CEO and Founder of Merek Security Solutions, a cybersecurity and risk management firm based on mindfulness, technology, and cyber safety

Michael C. Davis leads Merek.io as its CEO and Founder. His cybersecurity firm deeply considers human behavior as a factor related to cyber-mindfulness and digital self-awareness. He is a member of the American Society for Industrial Security, the New Mexico Technology Council, and a board member of Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Envision Fund. He serves as a board member for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Mountain region, and the Santa Fe Community College’s Foundation board as its VP of Communications. His 22-year career includes the United States Navy, Boeing, IBM, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Language and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Michael currently publishes work as a cybersecurity and technology Editorial Contributor for Newsweek and serves as a Thought leader on Forbes Technology Council.

Nancy E. Bos

Vocolgist, Author, and Speaker

Nancy Bos taught singing and voice for over twenty years and is the founder of StudioBos Media, which helps people “Tap into the magic of voice.” Nancy’s mission is to inspire people to find the freedom to express that part of who they are that connects us all. Nancy’s work is guided by the philosophy that singing makes people happier, healthier, more peaceful, and thoughtful, brings people together, soothes aching hearts, and allows us to spiritually transcend. Nancy has given presentations to a wide variety of groups. She taught on the faculty of Cornish College, Seattle Pacific University, Bellevue College, and independently. She is a member of the Recording Academy, the Pan American Vocology Association, is a former vice president of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, is a Distinguished Voice Professional through NYSTA, and the former DoO for the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA). Nancy's undergraduate degree is from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.

Patti Smith

Choreographer

Lead performers Alex Mirabal and Kit Quintana, along with the Albuquerque Divas, connect in performance.

Phelosha Collaros

Depolarization advocate, a vice president for the great books- and civil dialogue-centered St. John's College, and the owner of www.depolar-wise.com

As if shaped by a genetic instinct against partisanism, Phelosha Collaros first registered as an independent voter and later memorized Shakespeare’s “A pox on both your houses” as a graduate of and now Vice President for St. John’s College. Remarkable since her mother, Nubia, never talked about their Colombian family’s experience during La Violencia until recently, troubled by extreme polarization in America. Phelosha became obsessed with understanding the paths toward political violence vs. depolarization—researching, traveling to interview survivors and joining the President’s Circle of Braver Angels. Albuquerque born and raised, she’s committed to red and blue living together peacefully.

Rick Allred

Educator, Visual Artist, Joy Mentor

Rick Allred is an educator and fine artist based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Rick celebrates the generosity of the human spirit and empowers people to pursue their passions. As an instructor, he teaches photography workshops at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops in Santa Fe, New Mexico and at the Maine Media Workshops. As an artist, Rick creates 3-D installations to inspire curiosity and conversation. In 2017, Rick founded “In the Folds of Peace” – a mission to encourage conversations for connection, empowerment, and peace while also generating 1 million paper cranes to escort to the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan. More than 45,000 paper cranes have escorted so far (www.inthefoldsofpeace.com). Rick has a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from New Mexico State University and a Masters of Fine Art from the Maine Media College. Rick’s life practice is being a source of creativity, joy, and generosity.

Scott Miller

Founder of Circles USA; systems change consultant

Scott C. Miller is the founder of Circles USA and a private consultant working with select communities in designing and implementing new poverty alleviation systems that are accountable to reducing poverty rates. Scott is the author of several books, and his work has been featured on numerous national media including CBS Evening News, CNN, NPR, PBS, Huffington Post, Philanthropy Roundtable Chronicles, and Stanford Social Innovation Review. He has been named by AARP as a Well-Being Champion. He has over thirty-five years of experience in designing and implementing innovative programs that support people out of poverty and into prosperity.

Teresa Robinson

Owner / Producer

She started her LLC, Graphicbliss, in 2000; it handles three businesses. The Bliss Effect works with businesses and individuals to develop their brand, allowing their message to come across. This company provides its clients with graphic and web design, social media, marketing, and advertising. PRIDE and Equality Magazine has become a staple in New Mexico, presented every year during Pride Month. New Mexico Entertainment Magazine is a statewide event and entertainment publication. It focuses on film, theater, music, food, monthly events, and entertainment in New Mexico. The magazines created annual events, including New Mexico Entertainment Movie Nights, The Ghouls on Parade Halloween Festival and Parade, Big Gay Movie Night, The Trés Chic Hair Competition, and The Rocky Horror Anniversary Show. Tenacity continues to drive her. She is moving into television, theater, podcasts, and awards shows. She will continue to be a driving force for quality events and entertainment in New Mexico.

Thien-Nam Dinh

Computer Science Researcher

Thien-Nam Dinh is a cybersecurity researcher by day and a social entrepreneur by slightly later in the day. He is the founder and sitting president of Token Ibis, an all-volunteer nonprofit based in Albuquerque, New Mexico with one mission: to pilot the world's first-ever Universal Basic Philanthropy project. He recently served on the Young Leaders Society council of the United Way of Central New Mexico and currently sits on the board of the Association Fundraising of Professionals New Mexico chapter. In his day job, his research in blockchain and semantic web technologies informs much of his thinking about the intersection between money, technology, and society. Through his extracurricular activities, he is always seeking to understand the human experiences behind these systems. Thien-Nam is proud to be a born and raised New Mexican.

Wyatt Powers

Roadschool Student and Author

Wyatt Powers was homeschooled during his K-12 years. Traveling with his family in an RV for the last 12 years, he has visited 44 of the United States as well as five countries in North and South America. In the book, RV Travel on a Budget: A Mother and Son’s Guide to Roadschooling the USA, he chronicles his journey and shares the valuable lessons he learned about life, leadership, and community while on the road. He is currently attending college studying Computer Science.

Zahara Jade

Truth Catalyst and Somatic Awakening Coach

Zahara Jade, M.A. founded The Truth Catalyst to support people’s journeys in transforming chronic pain and healing from trauma. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in addition to over a decade of professional training in various healing disciplines in Asia and North America. Over the years, Zahara has led countless workshops and helped thousands of people worldwide learn to unearth, decode, and resolve the messages they received from their bodies. Her unique somatic, spiritual, and psychological approach has helped clients overcome lifetimes of anxiety and depression, eradicate addiction and suicidal ideation, end cycles of chronic pain, heal dysfunctional relationship patterns, and more. Zahara’s work with The Truth Catalyst has been featured in Entrepreneur, Inc., SELF, and Thrive Global.