Theme: MOVEMENT

Life is movement. To move is to live. To live is to move.

Join us Saturday, February 24th, 2024 for the first TEDxUnityPark community event at the Kroc Center in Downtown Greenville!

TEDxUnityPark is an all-day immersive experience at the intersection of science, art, performance and business. It is designed to enrich the Greenville community with ideas that MOVE us forward.

With 15 dynamic and diverse speakers from the Upstate and beyond, ideas from the TEDxUnityPark stage will inspire action at the intersection of art, science, creativity, and culture.

Click the link to reserve your experience today!

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).

The Kroc Center
424 Westfield Street
Greenville, South Carolina, 29601
United States

Alexis Hopkins

Inspiration

Lexi Hopkins, MPH, is a dedicated and passionate health equity and wellness consultant with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Yale University. As an advocate for community-based wellness solutions, Lexi leverages her extensive education, professional training, and lived experiences to develop and implement programs and tools aimed at empowering Black communities to lead healthy and well-balanced lives. Driven by a deep understanding of the systemic barriers impacting healthcare access and outcomes for Black individuals. Lexi is committed to pursuing equitable, culturally competent, and sustainable solutions. Through her unwavering dedication and innovative approach, Lexi Hopkins contributes significantly to advancing health equity and wellness within underrepresented communities.

Anthony Modesto Milian

Culture + History

Antonio Modesto Milian (Anthony), is an independent Fine Art and Photo Journalist photographer based in the Upstate of South Carolina. Anthony is an Inaugural fellow at The Greenville Center for Creative Arts and a grant recipient with the Chapman Cultural Center. Anthony's work can be seen in Geez magazine, The Greenville News, and Upstate Forever.

Dayna Lee

Social Justice + Culture

Dayna Lee-Márquez comes from Brownsville, TX. She is a 2023 James Beard nominated chef & owner of Comal 864. Her love for food, her culture & people has allowed her to make an impact in an underserved community with direct mutual aid. She has lived in Greenville, SC with her husband and 9 year old son since 2016.

Dr. Curt Kindel

Science/Medicine/Health

Dr. Curt Kindel graduated with his masters degree in physical therapy in 2001. He has been working as a physical therapist treating individuals in outpatient orthopedics since that time. In 2007 he began teaching full-time as a professor in physical therapy programs in central Pennsylvania and now Greenville, South Carolina. He earned his PhD in biomechanics from Penn State University in 2015. He currently serves as the chair of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Anderson University in Greenville. He is married, has two daughters, and resides in Greenville.

Dr. David Jolson

Science/Medicine/Health

Dr. David Jolson, founder of Upstate Spine & Sport, Basecamp, and Alloy Personal Training, is a leading expert in musculoskeletal care. With a background that blends chiropractic, physical therapy, manual therapy, and sports performance, he brings a unique approach to treating and preventing injuries. Dr. Jolson's experience includes serving as the chiropractor for organizations such as the Greenville Triumph, Furman Paladins, PGA Tour, Greenville Liberty, and as a consultant for the Greenville Drive. Recognized multiple times as the Best Chiropractor by the Greenville News Best of the Upstate as well as on the 35 under 35 list, Dr. Jolson is deeply committed to providing exceptional care to the Greenville and Upstate community. Beyond his professional pursuits, he enjoys quality time with his wife and three children, and gives back through volunteer work at the Greenville Free Medical Clinic.

Dr. Elliot Cleveland

Business

Dr. Elliot Cleveland is a world-class musician turned doctor of physical therapy. He has presented internationally on improving the health and wellness of marching bands and drum lines across the globe. He also leads high school and collegiate student leadership clinics across the country every summer. Dr. Cleveland is a local sports medicine physical therapist, and has worked with numerous collegiate and professional athletes, as well as performing artists. He resides in Easley, South Carolina with his wife and two children.

Dr. Walter Lee

Inspiration + Education

Award-winning educator, Walter A. Lee, PhD is currently an Assistant Professor of Middle/Secondary Education at the USC Upstate, Campus Coordinator of the Nationally Acclaimed Call Me MiSTER Program and Ambassador for the Black College Fund. He earned his PhD in Educational Leadership from Clemson University, EdS from Clemson University, and BA in Middle Level Education from Claflin University. An educator for over a decade, Walter’s research agenda emphasizes positive enhancement self-concept strategies for learners, which include intersections of poverty and race, color-evasiveness, equitable instructional practices, and cultural competence. Walter is the author of many articles including Rising Tides, Sinking Boats – A Focus on Equitable Practices. Walter teaches courses on curriculum, instruction, assessment, and research and has presented locally and nationally on his theoretical framework for educating African American (and all other) learners.

Erik Weir

Author + Entrepreneur

Erik Weir is the principal of WCM Global Wealth LLC. This financial wealth advisory firm serves clients ranging from the biggest multi-platinum & Grammy-winning recording artists, pop culture celebrities, professional sports icons, and international clothing designers to families listed on the Forbes billionaires list and other notable business owners. Weir speaks to major corporations nationwide each year. He is a lifelong student who has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees and graduate certificates in real estate and business strategy from Harvard University. Weir is the author of the Amazon best-seller Who's Eating Your Pie? Essential Financial Advice That Will Transform Your Life.

Evan Rogers

Film

Filmmaker.

Fin Sheridan

Insipiration

Fin Sheridan is the CEO of EQ Leadership, a training and leadership development company that specializes in emotional intelligence. After a decade of leadership roles in the UK and the USA, he started EQL to help leaders and teams create cultures where people can flourish. He lives in Greenville with his wife Dani and his two constantly shedding dogs, Honey Bear and Teddy Bear.

Khailing Neoh

Inspiration

Khailing has spent most of her life learning from her community. Her passion for people led her to create Sum Bar, Greenville’s first dim sum restaurant. Food may be the vehicle, but stories and people are the true source of inspiration. Her non-profit work, personal journey, and listening leadership makes her qualified to speak on empathy and ego.

Lori Lee

Science/Medicine/Health

Lori Lee is an executive leader and holistic fitness expert. She is a Vice President in an e-commerce startup, the host of the Holistic Fitness Podcast, fitness and leadership speaker, and the author of The Goal Getting Journal. It's her mission to help as many people as possible learn how to get their goals without burning out.

Ryan McKie

Science/Medicine/Health

Ryan is a native of Simpsonville, SC. He was raised in Greenville. Educated in Greenville. Employed in Greenville and now employs in Greenville. He has been a part of the business and sports community of Greenville for 20 plus years and has seen is growth in both spaces.

Sean Russel Herman

Mind + Body Movement

Sean is a lifelong surfer, martial artist, and hockey player. Throughout his childhood he played high level Ice Hockey until at the age of 18, he decided to focus on a surfing career. This opened the doors for him to travel, and immerse himself in different cultures all over the world. It’s during this time when he began training MMA, and practicing meditation. What started with a need for self defense and mental focus, turned into an obsession, leading him to train with some of the best coaches and fighters in Martial Arts. After a shoulder injury, he began studying and integrating primal movements and movement philosophies into his daily life. By blending all the different practices into his training, he cured muscle imbalances, as well as improved mental focus, strength, and symmetry.

Teddy Giard

Product + Entrepreneurship

Meet Teddy Giard, a dynamic marketer and product developer known for success in film production, brand strategy, and product development. At 19, he co-founded Kanga Coolers, achieving remarkable milestones like 110 million organic impressions and a $5 million revenue scale in four years, highlighted by a successful appearance on ABC's Shark Tank. Panning to a broader landscape, Teddy served as Brand Director for Island Brands USA, contributing to the company's credit on the INC 5000 list. Now, he spearheads Giard & Co., his recent venture, Shift Robotics, saw $1.7M in pre-order sales and 180M organic impressions in its first 4 months. Teddy is scaling Gamblin Golf, and his 10-year vision includes a CPG venture accelerator, directing a Super Bowl commercial, and a Product innovation commitment. Giard & Co., a team of experts in digital marketing integration by aligning product development timelines with marketing calendars. They bring brands to life through growth-focused approaches.