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).

Levitt Shell
1928 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee, 38104
United States

Alyssa Nucaro

Alyssa Dominique Nucaro is a ten-year public school educator in Memphis, TN. She is a proud PhD candidate at the University of Memphis, and a 2019 recipient of the New Memphis Educator of Excellence award. She is a member of the Quality Inquiry Circle (Quic) at the University of Memphis and a Teach Plus Policy Fellow. Outside of her time in education, she is an author, researcher, and poet.

Amber Hamilton

Amber Hamilton is an experienced leader, coach, and trainer with expertise in leadership strategies and nonprofit management. She started her career in professional sports at the NFL and NFL Players Association. She went on to lead a national group of nonprofits during her tenure at Rebuilding Together, where she served as a vice president. Amber served as the Interim CEO of the Soulsville Foundation. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director for the Memphis Music Initiative and is an active board member for the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. She holds degrees from Howard University and Georgetown University.

Britney Thornton

Britney Thornton is a native Memphian from Orange Mound. She is a licensed social worker who graduated from Baylor University and the University of Pennsylvania. As the founder of the non-profit JUICE Orange Mound, Britney challenges systems of oppression by thinking of new and creative ways to address old issues.

Bryan Eagle

Bryan Eagle is CEO of Glanris, a manufacturer of sustainable, low-cost water filtration media from rice hulls. He founded his first company, Skywire in 1993. Skywire designed, developed the first intelligent vending platform, and it is still in use today on millions of machines worldwide. Prior to Skywire, Eagle was a member of the team that created and launched the Discovery Channel, and he was one of the original shareholders. Eagle holds a Bachelor of Art from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Business Administration from Columbia University.

Daniel Aaron Harris

Daniel Aaron Harris identifies as a cerebral palsy native Memphian, artist, author, actor, and activist. As the director and founder of Fallen Walls since 2002, he encourages and helps people find their vocation inside their location regardless of their ability. He has written eight children’s books in a series called Bobby Blue Books. Daniel is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry focusing on disability at Western Theological Seminary.

Dr. Bernard Williams

Dr. Bernard Williams is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. He has built his career on servicing children and their families, working in residential treatment, community mental health organizations, mentoring programs, schools, and now in local government, stateside, and national organizations. He also serves as a deacon and minister at his church. Dr. Williams completed his Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Northwestern State University and received a Master of Science in Counseling Studies from Capella University. Dr. Williams also received a Ph.D. in Psychology and now serves as the Chief Probation Officer/Administrator at Memphis and Shelby County Juvenile Court.

Dr. Nikia Grayson

Dr. Nikia Grayson is a public health activist, anthropologist, and nurse who has devoted her life to serving and empowering people in underserved and marginalized communities for more than 20 years. Working interdisciplinary in the areas of culture, health, and education, Nikia’s work has explored the associations between power, culture, and gender. Dr. Grayson received her Bachelor degree in Communications and a Master of Public Health degree from Howard University. She earned a Master of Art in Medical Anthropology from University of Memphis, a Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and her midwifery education at Frontier Nursing University. Dr. Grayson is currently the Director of Clinical Services at CHOICES: Memphis Center for Reproductive Health.

Eso Tolson

Eso Tolson is a lettering artist and brand strategist who creates work rooted in affirmation, pride, and community that allows people to feel safe and inspired. At Cheers Creative, a Memphis-based brand and web consultancy, he teaches branding through strategy and storytelling for creative professionals, thought leaders, and social causes. As a lover of community, pop culture, and inner-city life, he uses lettering to highlight current events and promote positive social messages and affirmations.

Jacob Davis

An architect with the award-winning firm archimania, Jacob Davis, AIA, LEED AP is an advocate for environmental stewardship and community resiliency through design. Jacob serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis Department of Architecture, a graduate thesis committee advisor, a guest academic design juror throughout the South, and a speaker on sustainability and resiliency.

Jimpsie Ayres

Jimpsie Ayers is a Memphis-based artist. She tries to express, through her work, that nonverbal truth -- beauty -- that lifts us all a little above our quotidian existences. Whenever asked, Jimpsie tries to speak about the creative process, as it is mostly so little understood. After a lifetime of speaking to artists and non-artists alike, she knows now that artists and their thought processes really are a bit different.

Justin Entzminger

Justin Entzminger is the Executive Director for Innovate Memphis, the non-profit innovation team for the City of Memphis. Under Justin's leadership, Innovate Memphis also became the official Memphis partner with the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership in early 2021. Before joining Innovate Memphis, Justin worked as a strategy consultant. He has a Bachelor of Art degree from Georgetown University and a Master degree in Business Administration from the Massey School of Business at Belmont University, where he focused on entrepreneurship.

Justin Merrick

Justin Merrick is formerly the Artistic and Operations Director of Stax Music Academy, where he received a Grammy nomination for his work in cultivating the voice of his students. Justin is a visionary, servant, and educator. He unlocks the power of civic engagement and ethical storytelling throughout Shelby County, Tennessee to spur equitable practices, economic development, and thriving neighborhood democracies. Merrick has featured articles in Ebony and Forbes magazines and was a recipient of Memphis Flyer's Top 20 under 30 and Memphis Business Journal 40 under 40. Merrick earned his Master degree in Opera and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University and his Bachelor of Arts from Hampton University.

Michelle McKissack

Michelle Robinson McKissack is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who made the pivot from a career in broadcast to a public education advocate. With her unique perspective of being a parent, public servant, and policy maker, and with a background in journalism, Michelle is aware of how media helps shape the perception of public education. Michelle, a Memphis, Tennessee native and received her Bachelor and Master degrees in Journalism from Northwestern University.

Nicole Lauchaire

Nicole Lauchaire is the Senior Vice Programs of Corporate Communications for Varsity Brands, which is comprised of three businesses: BSN SPORTS, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones. She also leads Digital, Media & Marketing for Varsity Spirit. She also co-hosts the Varsity Spirit Cheer Championships on ESPN and CBS Sports Network. Lauchaire was first introduced to Varsity in the 9th grade as a cheerleader at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, Florida, while attending cheer camp with the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), a division of Varsity Spirit. She later went on to cheer at Florida State University and worked as an instructor for UCA before making Memphis her home.

Nighat Akbar Shah

Nighat Akbar Shah is an impact investor, entrepreneur, producer, and philanthropist from Chitral, Pakistan. She is the Co-founder and Vice President of Shah Holdings Group, a real estate development and management company, where she serves as the head of finance. Her mission includes creating, administering, and supporting business ownership opportunities on a merit basis and commissioning sustainable, earth-friendly design and construction. Recently, she produced a short film on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Ms. Shah holds a Master degree in Business Administration in Finance from The University of Memphis.

Sarah Houston

Water warrior Sarah Houston has been pedaling a passion for holistic water management in the academic, corporate, and nonprofit sectors for over ten years. In 2016, Houston and her husband quit their jobs to adventure with a purpose. Through Wander Like Water, they used bicycle touring to connect YouTube viewers with water sources. The project caught on quickly and their audience spans over 50 countries with over a half million views. In 2021, Houston was hired as the first full-time Executive Director of Protect Our Aquifer and is pursuing a Master of Science in Earth Sciences from University of Memphis.

William "FRY" Arnold

William “Fry” Arnold, Jr., Ed D. has 17+ years of experience in higher education and community engagement, particularly around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In 2013, he was wrongfully convicted of crimes that he did not commit. His conviction was overturned by an Appellate Court in 2020. Today, William uses his professional training and recent life experiences to create a reformed criminal justice platform that views diversity as a viable way for returning citizens from prison to restore dignity, decrease recidivism, and add value to the workforce.