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).

Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
18 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, North Carolina, 28801
United States

Ginger Huebner

Artist, Educator, Collaborator, and Founder of Roots+Wings School of Art and Design

Ginger is the founding director of Roots + Wings School of Art and Design in Asheville, where innovative art and design education programs are offered for all ages across the community. Her Create + Connect Circles and Portrait Workshops offer opportunities to transform, connect, re-build, and share stories in communities across the globe. She also serves as Visual Art Advisor to PBS for their Online Learning platform, Arts Curriculum, and the ‘Pinkalicious’ series. With foundations from both a Bachelor of Architecture and a Masters in Teaching Visual Art, she weaves a unique perspective into all that she does… as an artist, educator, facilitator and collaborator.

Hannah Williams

Founder, OVRTURE ACADEMY, Author & Host of The Native Digital + Native Analog Podcast.

Hannah Grady Williams is the Gen Z CEO Advisor, and the founder of OVRTURE ACADEMY, the program founders and leaders attend to become Certified Native Digital Fluent™. Her story began in a blue pickup truck when her father handed 12-year-old Hannah the phone and asked her to close a deal on an investment property. After this unexpected intro to the world of entrepreneurship, she enrolled in college at age 14 and graduated with an undergraduate degree in international business at 18. Now, as a 23-year old Gen Z’r, she consults organizations from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, and is on a mission to help business owners unlock the power of Gen Z talent as a competitive advantage. Her recent book, A Leader’s Guide to Unlocking Gen Z, is the first of its kind handbook for leaders who want to understand and become relevant to native digital employees. To learn more about Hannah's work and listen to her podcast, The Native Digital + Native Analog Show, visit hannahgwilliams.com.

J. Hackett

Founder Black Wall Street AVL, Entrepreneur & Returning Citizen

J Hackett is the founder of Black Wall Street AVL and founder of GRIND - Asheville’s first Black Owned Coffee Shop. While actively working to advance economic development locally, he has previously worked on projects across the globe focusing on the UN Sustainability Goals. J is currently pastor of New Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church and an instructor at Lenoir Rhyne University’s Equity and Diversity Institute. Aside from being married with three children, J is a diehard fan of Golden Girls.

Jeffrey Kaplan

Entrepreneur Builder, Startup Founder, Director of Venture Asheville

Jeffrey is the Director of Venture Asheville, an organization which serves as a catalyst for high-growth startups by building entrepreneurs and getting startups funded. Under Jeffrey’s leadership, startups in Venture Asheville’s portfolio created over 285 new jobs, raised over $30M investment dollars, and earned $83M in revenue in the local Asheville area. He is also the local director of VentureSouth’s Angel Investment Group, the Asheville Angels, and advisor to the Pisgah Fund, a $50M digital health innovation fund. Prior to leading Venture Asheville, Jeffrey earned his master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and instructed Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida. He is a published author in Entrepreneurship Pedagogy, launched and sold pet-tech startup Dogphrendly, built a Jewish dating site for moms to play matchmaker for their kids, and cofounded TheE13.com.

Jennifer MacDonald

Refugee advocate, educator, linguist, world traveler, Middle East specialist, Co-Founder of Hadaya Global

Jennifer MacDonald is a career teacher, traveler, activist, and proud mother of two grown children. She has a Master’s Degree in Arabic Language and Culture and speaks several other languages including Spanish and Portuguese. In 2010, she established one of the first Arabic language programs for high school students in the Southeast. In 2014, she co-founded HADAYA, an organization that provides libraries and developmental toys to displaced children in several countries. Jennifer is also an award-winning film producer and writer who still loves to play.

Justin Jones-Fosu

Author, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Consultant/Trainer, & Founder/CEO of Work. Meaningful.

Justin Jones-Fosu challenges people to see diversity and inclusion as someone they choose to be rather than something they are supposed to do. He is a full-time dad-e of two high-energy kids and a highly sought-after business consultant, social entrepreneur, and diversity/inclusion researcher. He is the founder and CEO of Work. Meaningful., where they partner with companies, organizations, and associations in the US and internationally to embrace meaningful work and diversity/inclusion. His latest book, "The Inclusive Mindset: How to cultivate diversity in your everyday life," encourages people to see diversity/inclusion not as a mandate but rather as an everyday mindset. Justin embraces his heritage as a dual-citizen of both Ghana and the US, and you can usually catch Justin wearing something from his Ghanaian heritage.

Lyndon Harris

Forgiveness teacher and coach, keynote speaker, author, and storyteller

Lyndon Harris is a forgiveness teacher and coach, and inspirational speaker, having offered keynotes and workshops for numerous conferences around the country and around the world. His work at Ground Zero in New York City has been written about widely, including The NY Times, The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, and Time Magazine. His work on a Garden of Forgiveness for Ground Zero in NYC is featured in the award-winning documentary, “The Power of Forgiveness” (Journey Films: 2006). Lyndon is currently working with Stanford’s Dr. Frederic Luskin (Stanford Forgiveness Project) to coordinate a team of researchers, clinicians and educators in the creation of a public information campaign about the public health benefits of forgiveness to bring happiness, resolve conflicts, and live a better, more joyful life.

Maiysha Clairborne

Physician, Master Practitioner, Coach, & Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming, Hypnosis, & Time Line Therapy®, Diversity Equity Inclusion Belonging & Wellness Consultant & Trainer

Dr. Maiysha Clairborne is a Physician, Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnosis & Time Line Therapy® and Founder of the Mind Re-Mapping Academy®. She is skilled at educating communities and leaders on the power of word, and how our unconscious thoughts and beliefs have an impact on the reality we create. She teaches that mastering our language (both internal and external), we ultimately put ourselves in the driver’s seat of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, therefore creating new impact for our lives and the lives of people around us. Dr. Maiysha is a graduate of Emory University, completing her medical degree at Morehouse School of Medicine, and her Family Medicine Residency at Florida Hospital.

Nikki Robinson

Conservationist, Science Communicator and Educator

Nikki manages conservation projects, coalitions, and initiatives that Wildlands Network is pursuing in North Carolina. She has worked with land trusts and other natural resources agencies dedicated to solving complex issues and discovering solutions for nature by fostering collaboration and community support. Her career as a science communicator and educator spans across diverse ecosystems from the Florida Keys, to the Rocky Mountains, and the Southern Appalachian Mountains. She earned her master’s degree in plant biology at the University of Vermont in the Field Naturalist and Ecological Planning Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in environment and natural resources from Clemson University, with a concentration in conservation biology.