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).

Cottingham Spears Center for the Arts
1301 Columbia college Drive
Columbia, South Carolina, 29203
United States

Amanda Ling

Amanda Ling is a South Carolina dance artist and educator striving to create accessible movement experiences and artistic installations in the community. She is an Assistant Dance Professor and the Dance Program Chair at Columbia College. She is a collaborator within the Power Company Collaborative and currently serves on the SC Arts Commission Artist Services Committee. Her specialties lie within contemporary dance practice, improvisational methods, leadership, and feminism. Amanda is inspired by the arts being a vehicle for positive social change. She curated the Columbia Dance & Improvisation Festival from 2014 to 2018 and still facilitates site-based art performances at Columbia College. She performed and collaborated on the Power Company's public art installation for the 2019 Prague Quadrennial Formations exhibition in the Czech Republic. Her movement research interweaves dance and ritual with imagery, improvisation, and experimental performance perspectives. Her current choreographic process investigates narratives that surround the spirit realm, liminal space, and divine feminine energy. Amanda received an MFA in Dance from Arizona State University and a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Columbia College, SC.

Angelica Gantt

Angelica Gantt was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Art degree in African and African American Studies & Political Science. She obtained a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Management and Leadership from Columbia College SC. She has completed different certifications including a certification in Financial Planning for Young Adults from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign through Coursera along with several other accolades. Lastly, she is the founder of AGWealthBuilder which has a mission of "providing knowledge to inspire, motivate, and impact youth, women, and those with low-middle socioeconomics to build healthy financial habits to transform and add to their current and future style of living.

Connie Johnson

Connie L. Johnson is a multitalented and multifaceted individual with a deep commitment to uplifting humanity. Hailing from Orangeburg, SC, her faith-based upbringing provided her with a strong foundation to overcome personal challenges, including her mother's death and an HIV diagnosis in her youth. As a spoken word artist and singer-songwriter, Connie harnesses the power of creativity for healing. Her journey as a community advocate began over two decades ago, working with youth in after-school programs, which ultimately shaped her academic pursuits. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies and a Master of Art in Social Justice and Community Development, focusing on education policy, mass incarceration, and HIV among Black women in the rural South. Connie's international experience in Kenya led her to write a book, "Beyond Measure," and her career expanded to educating at a girls' charter school, addressing HIV-related stigma and self-esteem. She later founded Golden Lyfe LLC, provided tutoring and public speaking services, and established Growing into Greatness, a community-focused nonprofit. Currently residing in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Connie works as a lead math tutor at a local community college while pursuing upcoming book projects and original songs and poems. Her podcast, Golden Lyfe Radio, shares personal anecdotes and wisdom from her diverse experiences.

DeShanna Reed

Dr. DeShanna Reed is a tenured educator and campus administrator with experience at all levels of education She is the founder and managing Director of D. Reed Coaching, Consulting & Advocacy, LLC, an educational research and consulting firm focused on equipping educators and leaders, evaluating systems and practices, and empowering school communities to facilitate accessible, equitable, and inclusive learning environments for all learners. Dr. Reed earned her Doctorate in Education with a focus in Special Populations from the University of Houston and has several articles featured in peer-reviewed journals. In February of 2023, she released her book, “The UDL for SEL: A research-based, practical guide for improving planning, instructional, and assessment practices for whole-student and whole-educator success” based on her research of educators and leaders at the secondary level. When she is not researching and writing, she is highly active in the greater Houston community, particularly with organizations that serve individuals with disabilities and their families and those focused on advocacy for public education.

Emily Hall

Emily Hall is a dedicated Academic Advisor and Adjunct Instructor with a special focus on Social Justice and Leadership. Mrs. Hall holds a bachelor's degree in human services and further strengthened her academic skill set with dual master's degrees in business administration and management. Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom. She has played a key role in revamping courses and course materials to ensure they remain innovative and relevant. In addition to her professional pursuits, Mrs. Hall is truly committed to making a positive impact in her community. She has contributed her time and expertise to several non-profit organizations, including GLEAMNS: Head Start, Sharing God's Love, and Cooperative Ministry. Through her volunteer work at these organizations, she demonstrates her commitment to social justice and leadership in practical, real-world contexts.

Jennifer Raasch

Dr. Jennifer Raasch has worked in online education for over a decade as an LMS administrator, instructional technologist, and instructional designer for online courses. She enjoys helping faculty redesign their online courses and providing education on teaching and learning best practices. Dr. Raasch has a doctorate degree in higher education leadership and master's degrees in organizational communications and library science. She encourages and serves as a mentor to younger professional women in higher education. She learned about teaching and servant leadership from her civic-minded parents who both taught and served in the local community for many years. Dr. Raasch delights in supporting local community charities following her parents’ examples. We need to share our gained knowledge with future generations who will run and change our world. Their hopes and dreams can create social justice globally and build a bright future for all people.

MARTA RAVIN

Award-winning Showrunner and Executive Producer Marta Ravin creates compelling stories, iconic moments and live content that brings audiences to their feet. She started in New York City as a standup comic, and quickly took her talents to develop and produce series and specials at networks including Oxygen, Nickelodeon, MTV, and VH1, while breaking successful new formats creating “Long Island Medium” for TLC and “Get Out of My Room,” for Universal Kids. Marta is celebrated across the entertainment industry as a renowned talent whisperer, introducing new star power and capturing content gold, while helping “known” talent bring their visions to life. Through her work on TV specials, reunions and awards shows she’s wrangled everything from kids to camels to A-list celebs, convincing Madonna to kiss 50 Cent, A$AP Rocky to mind the grill at Coachella, and Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans to arm wrestle. But her greatest legacy so far may be the inspiring and empowering culture she fosters in the workplace, especially in a post-pandemic world. Marta leads and manages teams with creativity, ingenuity, laughter, and a deeply collaborative spirit, which is why her staffers and colleagues call her “The Industry’s Best Boss”.

Matthew Wooten

Mathew Wooten is a dedicated and compassionate college student with an unwavering passion for helping others. In every aspect of life, Mathew embodies the spirit of altruism, always ready to extend a helping hand to those in need. What truly sets Mathew apart is not just his proficiency but his innate willingness to expand his horizons. He fearlessly embraces new opportunities, demonstrating a remarkable capacity to adapt and excel, regardless of the circumstances. In the bustling world of college life, Mathew stands out as a beacon of reliability and support. His peers admire him for his versatility, and his professors commend him for his dedication and hard work. Beyond the classroom, Mathew is a ray of positivity, bringing enthusiasm and determination to every project he undertakes.

Stephen Campolo

Stephen Campolo is a weight-loss expert who transformed from a former overweight child into a fitness authority. His incredible journey began in 2003 when he started running every night in Long Island, resulting in a remarkable 100-pound weight loss in just three months. However, he faced the challenge of excess skin and a lack of muscle definition. To overcome this, he immersed himself in learning about building the ideal male physique, drawing inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger's Flex magazine cover. After countless hours of dedication and lifting thousands of pounds of iron, he achieved his goal. Stephen has not only competed in natural bodybuilding competitions but also collaborated with leading trainers and nutrition experts in the country. Today, he shares his expertise globally, serving as a trusted trainer and advisor to celebrities, CEOs, and even creating fitness programs for the US Military.

Wendy Harriford-Platt

Dr. Wendy Harriford-Platt, originally from Columbia, has had a diverse journey in life. After attending Hampton University for Mass Communications but leaving to get married and subsequently divorcing while raising her three children, she worked various jobs to make ends meet. Frustrated by not fulfilling her destiny, she returned to education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Columbia College. Wendy's journey was supported by classmates, professors, and her family. She became a teacher through an alternative certification program with the SC State Department of Education, subsequently obtaining a Master's Degree in Education in Divergent Learning and a doctorate in Education specializing in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina. She also completed coursework for endorsements as a literacy teacher and instructor in the College Board's Advanced Placement program in English Language and Composition. Wendy's father, Willie Lloyd Harriford, Jr., a significant figure in Columbia's civil rights movement, was a source of inspiration for her. He passed away shortly before she achieved her doctorate. Wendy is passionate about education, following her father's belief in never quitting. She currently teaches at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC, and is involved in educational organizations. She also runs her educational consulting company, The PlattFirm, and serves on the board of directors for Palmetto Pride Sports, an organization focused on providing access to sports competitions and empowering minority youth through education.

Wendy Linda Johnson

Meet Wendy, a dynamic individual on a mission to bridge divides and inspire abundance. Balancing her roles as a full-time student at Columbia College and a dedicated employee at the South Carolina Department of Transportation, Wendy's commitment to excellence shines through with a remarkable 4.0 GPA for the past three semesters. A recipient of prestigious awards, including the Senior Year Communication Excellence Award and the Lamda Pi Eta Award (Sigma Gama Chapter), Wendy is not only academically accomplished but also deeply passionate about breaking down barriers that separate us. She believes in uniting humanity as global citizens and harnessing the power of communication technologies to enhance access to information for all. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Wendy immerses herself in creative endeavors, particularly in the realms of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror art projects. She's also set her sights on launching projects rooted in the fairytale genre, using allegory to inform and inspire. Wendy's love for nurturing and rehabilitating storm-damaged plants is a testament to her resilience and optimism. She finds therapeutic solace in this process, serving as a reminder of renewal, growth, and the boundless opportunities that arise even in the face of adversity.

Wendy Louise Johnson

Wendy is a dynamic individual on a mission to bridging divides and inspiring abundance. Balancing her roles as a full-time student at Columbia College and a dedicated employee at the South Carolina Department of Transportation, Wendy's commitment to excellence shines through with a remarkable 4.0 GPA for the past three semesters. A recipient of prestigious awards, including the Senior Year Communication Excellence Award and the Lamda Pi Eta Award (Sigma Gama Chapter), Wendy is not only academically accomplished but also deeply passionate about breaking down barriers that separate us. She believes in uniting humanity as global citizens and harnessing the power of communication technologies to enhance access to information for all. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Wendy immerses herself in creative endeavors, particularly in the realms of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror art projects. She's also set her sights on launching projects rooted in the fairytale genre, using allegory to inform and inspire. Wendy's love for nurturing and rehabilitating storm-damaged plants is a testament to her resilience and optimism. She finds therapeutic solace in this process, serving as a reminder of renewal, growth, and the boundless opportunities that arise even in the face of adversity.