Theme: The Seeds of Change

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 Wells Fargo Pavilion
1419 H Street
Sacramento, California, 95814
United States

Be Brave Bold Robot

Be Brave Bold Robot is the Sacramento songwriter band project of Dean Haakenson. As a testament to the power of community, the band has drawn from a large group of musicians over the years. Dean's lyric-heavy songs blend funky rhythms, acoustic prettiness, and vocal harmonies. According to Sacramento News and Review editor, Nick Miller, “the band fuses folk rock with spoken-word-like storytelling, epic arrangements and indie-choral tendencies.” Christopher Bell says “The worlds he creates with his lyrics are so crystal clear and beautiful, its as if someone put Kurt Vonnegut stories to music.” Their eclectic sound has been compared to the folk sounds of Bob Dylan, the guitar sounds of Dave Matthews, and spoken word lyricism of Tech N9ne.

Sacramento/Black Art of Dance

Joe is joined on stage by Gem Abucay, Omonovie Okhade and Nicole Manker of Sacramento/Black Art of Dance. Sacramento State University’s S/BAD is a modern dance company that explores the movement culture of the African and African-American diaspora.

Andrew Markell

Leadership expert

For the last 20 years Andrew Markell, co-founder of Exile, has pursued a transformative vision of leadership and innovation that has given him the opportunity to partner with and train top leaders and organizations all over the world. He has worked in diverse spaces - criminal justice, higher education, energy, transportation, materials and products, design, non-profits, and venture capital – and has worked with hard-core street gangsters, founders and CEO’s, college presidents, scientists, executive directors, innovators and entrepreneurs. During these two decades Andrew has found that the hardest and most important thing for a leader or innovator to do is to cross thresholds. This act of crossing boundaries is an art and a practice that takes extraordinary discipline and focus. It is a question of power. Andrew’s company Exile was founded to support leaders as they build strategies and imagine innovations designed to cross thresholds and create new ones.

B.J. Davis

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Davis is the Director of Strategies for Change, a substance abuse and mental health treatment agency. He is also the author of the movie "What is Recovery?" In addition to his doctorate, Davis has a dual BA in philosophy and religion, and masters’ degrees in psychology and counseling. Aside from working at Strategies, he is a Professor in the Forensic and Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program and consultant to the Sacramento Aids Housing Alliance. It is his history that allows Dr. Davis to speak with authority. A recovering drug addict, Davis spent time in State and Federal prisons, until he found people who believed in him, then a reason to believe in himself. Rather than drugs he depended on praise, and used that to become a director, a doctor, and a mentor. He now uses his unique background in addiction, recovery, and counseling to encourage others to believe in themselves.

Emily Castor

Emily Castor believes authentic communication can build meaningful communities around transportation. Emily is an original Lyft team member who has helped develop the ride sharing service into what it is today as the Director of Community Relations. Along the way, she honed her expertise in the shared economy through work with Congress, political candidates, and Universities. She learned the importance of having a presence on social media, and has turned her social presence into grassroots mobilization and community outreach. From here, she is working to pass laws on Capitol Hill, and encourage policy makers to adopt ridesharing as an environmentally-conscious and community-based alternative form of transportation. In her free time, Emily hosts Collaborative Chats, a monthly panel discussion for citizens, entrepreneurs, academics, and thought leaders to build community and discuss emerging issues of relevance to the sharing economy.

Joe Kye

Joe Kye’s songs delve into the fears, injustices, and joys of being an immigrant. Like the Biblical character Joseph, Kye journeyed at a young age to a powerful, affluent, and culturally influential country. His eclectic songwriting and nuanced arrangements reflect his transient upbringing. Joe’s unique sound has been compared to Andrew Bird, Grizzly Bear, and the Shins. With lush three-part harmonies and layers of intricate string arrangements, Kye draws from multiple genres, including rock, jazz, classical, and world music.

Phil America

Phil America is a Northern California/NYC raised artist and writer. He works and lives throughout the US, Europe, Asia and Africa, where he develops his acute attention to a narrative form. He concentrates on individual moments of freedom through various forms and outlets, most recently focusing on the human relationship with both class and race. Phil has found a way to use his art forms to connect with citizens and cultures whose languages he doesn’t speak. He is known for immersing himself into the cultures he explores, rather than remaining a passive observer.