Theme: MOMENTUM

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).

Ford Center for the Performing Arts
351 University Address
University, Mississippi, 38677
United States

Brian Foster

I grew up in Shannon, Mississippi, a town with one flashing light, a grocery store, and tradition as deep as the red in the dirt roads—roads that led to houses and gravesites, histories and openness. I grew up a lover of music and words. My soundtrack was late-90’s era Memphis rap, from Playa Fly to Three Six Mafia to La Chat. My writing was mostly poems and short stories, strange compositions about coming of age in Mississippi. Today, as the saying goes, the more things change, the more they have stayed the same. I’m still growing up, though I suppose now I’m a little bit further along. I still write about being black in the South. And, I still bump old Memphis rap—yes, I’m going to do this—like it’s 1999. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from the University of Mississippi in 2011 and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2017.

Elsie Andre

Just an 8th grader at Lafayette Middle School, Elsie is the youngest speaker to have taken the stage at TEDxUniversityofMississippi. But, don't let her age fool you. She has gained a wealth of experience traveling and she uses the stage to share why we should all get out a little more and offers some surprising tips on how to make that happen.

Emily Frith

Emily is a graduate student at The University of Mississippi in the Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management and she is an accomplished marathoner.

Jacy Reese

I'm a social scientist currently working on my first book, "The End of Animal Farming." I sometimes write articles in outlets such as in Huffington Post and Vox, and I've given talks in 15 different countries on the topics of effective altruism, animal protection, and food ethics. I'm the Research Director at Sentience Institute, a nonprofit, effective altruism think tank launched in June 2017 focused on expanding humanity's moral circle. We're not currently hiring, but I'm always excited to explore new research collaborations. I live in Brooklyn with my partner Kelly, our dog Apollo, and our two chickens Snow and Dualla, who were rescued from battery cage farms.

Jandel Crutchfield

Dr. Jandel Crutchfield's research and teaching at The University of Mississippi focuses on social work, cultural competencies, and racial reconciliation.

Janet McCarty

Janet McCarty is an entrepreneur. Five years ago, she started Cotton's Cafe Dog Treat Barkery, which is a business, an experience, and a way of life.

Josh Horton

Josh has experience within the criminal justice system and in long term recovery. Josh just completed his J.D. from The University of Mississippi School of Law. He is the current Executive Director and Founder, Southern Recovery Advocacy.

Leena Patel

Mentored by my grandfather (a direct disciple of Gandhi), I have been in leadership positions, empowering groups and organizations, and leading change, since the age of 16 when I was appointed Young Women’s Leader for an international lay Buddhist organization. Through these early experiences, plus 20+ years of experience training business leaders in industries ranging from Sports, Healthcare and Entertainment, to Banking and Technology, I founded Global Impact Systems to enable leaders to drive change and and nurture world-class performance within themselves and their talent... easily and effortlessly. Through a process known as Gamulation, I help improve engagement, retention of information learning, and implementation of lessons learned.