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).

McKnight Hall: Cone University Center
9025 University Rd
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28223
United States

Aaron Nance

Doctoral Candidate

Aaron Nance received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Minot State University, Master's in Management and Leadership from Montreat College, and he is currently getting a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at UNC Charlotte. Aaron has been a Fellow for Virginia Tech, a Graduate Life Fellow at Charlotte, reviewer for the American Education Research Association (AERA), and for the Association of International Educators (NAFSA). He has a plethora of publications and conference proceedings that advances equity and equality among Black youth in education.

Amy Work

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

Amy is the founder and owner of Renewed Counseling & Play Therapy in Charlotte, NC, where she treats children, adolescents, and adults facing a variety of issues including mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, behavioral issues, and parenting concerns. She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at UNC Charlotte. Amy is also an Advisory Board member of FOR Students, an organization providing programming in schools to prepare students emotionally and mentally for the transition to young adulthood.

Cameron Blount

Undergraduate Student

Cameron Blount is a senior at UNC Charlotte majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. He is on the executive boards of both the Black Student Union and The Hard Knocks Boxing Club. Additionally, Cameron is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. After college, he plans to pursue a career in corporate finance as well as the real estate field.

Gina Hull

Undergraduate Student

Gina Hull is a Sophomore at UNC Charlotte, majoring in Marketing and Sociology. She is in her fifth year of working in the advertising field through social media management, brand identity, and development. Starting as an athlete that began creating promotional content for her basketball team in order to get more fans to attend games, she fell in love with creating and producing a wide variety of content. Gina produces content that not only helps young athletes but also businesses and organizations to reach an audience that they did not believe was tangible while also generating extra revenue for their organization.

Hadia Ghandour

Adjunct Professor

Hadia Ghandour is an adjunct professor, teaching Marketing at UNC Charlotte. Hadia has taught at Charlotte since 2019 and previously taught at Columbia College in South Carolina. She is also the founder of Inspired Plastics, a plastics recycling education organization that promotes zero waste practices. She uses experiential marketing techniques to keep recycling top of mind.

Kennedy Brooks

Undergraduate Student

Kennedy Brooks is a fourth-year student at UNC Charlotte. She is an unyielding believer in the power of rhetoric to change the world and has rooted her education firmly in the liberal arts in pursuit of being an active agent in that aforementioned change. Kennedy aims to approach every endeavor with a spirit of human-centeredness– whether she is presenting at a research conference, acting as a council member for the National Humanities Center, or addressing the audience at a National Speech and Debate tournament.

Kshitij 'Kris' Prasai

Graduate Student

Kshitij 'Kris' Prasai is an author, ruthless dreamer, and serial entrepreneur on a mission to redefine overthinking. Kris is currently a graduate student in Counseling at UNC Charlotte. In addition, he has published books, including audiobooks, and maintains a Youtube channel to spread the message of personal empowerment.

Lee Anne Tourigny

Graduate Student

Lee Anne Tourigny is a second year graduate student in the M.A. psychology program at UNC Charlotte, with the eventual goal of earning her Ph.D. and working for a university or nonprofit. She currently works as the coordinator of disability outreach at UNC Charlotte’s Career Center and works with the organization Photovoice Worldwide as a project coordinator. She loves learning about new photography techniques and conducting qualitative research to create a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable world, specifically for those with disabilities in higher education and in the workforce.

Mary Lou Maher

Professor

Mary Lou Maher’s academic career has taken a path of AI research and teaching that started in Engineering, through Architecture and Design Computing, and now Computer Science and Information Studies. A consistent focus of her research is on human cognition and A.I. models related to curiosity, novelty, and surprise. While she has taught and researched in the areas of human-centered AI and inclusive education for many years, the response to her most recent AI Literacy course has revealed new insights about students and their views of A.I.

Matthew Mills

Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Lecturer

Matthew is a social worker and lecturer at UNC Charlotte. He is in his third year as an educator with experience in clinical and community based mental health support. Matthew currently focuses on community engagement and social justice as focal points of expertise, research, and engagement in class. He is passionate about the subject because of his own experiences with the impact of climate change as a Black man living in the south.

Vernisha Crawford

CEO

Vernisha Crawford is involved in trauma-informed care as the CEO of the Trauma Informed Institute. Her academic journey began at UNC Charlotte, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, before completing a Master's Degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She is also currently pursuing a Ph.D. in General Psychology with a specialization in Trauma & Disaster Relief. She is the Founder of the BYE Foundation, an organization advocating for a trauma-informed approach to addressing equity gaps in research and wellness. Vernisha has been a guest facilitator at several colleges and serves on various local and state boards. Above all, she considers motherhood her most profound source of learning.