Theme: Carry On

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).

Barrelhouse Ballroom
1501 Long Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37408
United States

Chad Prevost

Co-Founder, Lead Coach, Organization Consultant

Dr. Chad Prevost has got something to prove. He’s on a mission to help raise your self-awareness. Not just you, but one million people by the end of the decade. How is he going to do this? With a little help from his friends, and democratizing well-being and mental health. Why is he doing this? Because this is the mission set before us at this critical time in our culture. Dr. Chad is an organizational consultant specializing in communication, leadership, and self-awareness. He is also a certified ontological coach, specializing in Enneagram and Mindfulness training, and is a Leadership Circle Profile 360 facilitator. He loves balancing these tools to form a comprehensive coaching program for people living in chronic stress and disconnection.

Dan Wykoff

CFO/COO, Follower of Jesus Christ

Dan is a follower of Jesus Christ, and anyone who’s ever met his wife Kristin can testify that he definitely married up. Kristin and Dan have four children who are currently in college, high school, middle school, and elementary school. Along with actively serving with several nonprofits, Dan serves as Chief Financial & Operating Officer for Branch Technology. Headquartered right here in Chattanooga, @branchtechnology employs 50 individuals, 32 of which are human. Dan enjoys the 18 robots he gets to work with, but loves the humans much more and finds delight in walking beside people of all ages through the ups and downs of life. He believes humans flourish best when in community, and believes that every human has dignity and is worth investing in.

Erika Roberts

Poet, Creative Strategist, Community Healer

Erika is a creative strategist, poet, and community healer that uses poetry to facilitate radical self-care within communities that have withstood generational and systemic traumas. Her leadership has transformed the way arts-based community engagements can impact civic and non-profit organizations such as The City of Chattanooga, The Hunter Museum of American Art, PopUp Project, CHI Memorial Hospital, Glass House Collective, Westside Evolves Project, Chattanooga Design Studio, Hamilton County Schools, TinkerMa and The United Way of Chattanooga. Erika is also the creator and curator of the late-night shows, Midnight Poetry. She co-created the series at the Hunter “Vision + Verse” where artists respond to the art of the museum. She is also one of the creators of the festival show “Shades of Poetry.” While she has won many awards and has been recognized for her work, at the end of the day, she is a Creative that creates.

Jenny (Jing) Xu

Disruption Navigator, Former CEO, Former CSO

Jenny is a disruption navigator who thrives in anticipating change, connecting dots, and guiding through challenging disruptions to achieve sustainable growth. Her instinct for navigating uncertainty was shaped by her journey from surviving to thriving as a young immigrant in the USA, evolving from a “foreign alien” to a corporate executive leading technology innovation and strategy at Fortune 100 companies. Today, as the founder of Intention Navigator Group, she unlocks multicultural leaders, teams, and organizations around the world to reach their fullest potential from Chattanooga. Jenny is passionate about inspiring curiosity to foster deeper, more meaningful connections with people who have diverse lived experiences in local communities for a brighter future together.

Jules Downum

Cultural Anthropologist, Artist, Creative Producer

Jules is a cultural anthropologist, artist, and creative producer. Her work spans multiple media including immersive experiences, dance and dance theatre, ethnographic storytelling, community activations, event production, and film. Her work is about illuminating human truths and helping to foster authentic connection through experience and empathy. Jules' ability to convey meaning through a variety of mediums has had a range of applications across industries including marketing, real estate development, hospitals, museums, performing art organizations, government entities, schools, foundations, and non-profits. She works locally to cultivate the artist community by connecting creatives with businesses and creating platforms for collaboration and creative expression. Jules is also the founder and creative director of Understory, an experience based creative agency.