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).

Cincinnati Masonic Theatre
317 East Fifth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202
United States

Aimee Gardner

Digital Experience Technologies/VR

Aimee Gardner is the Director of Digital Experience Technologies at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Committed to education, innovation and patient safety, Aimee is driven to revolutionize medicine through digital technology.

Anaya Belly Dance

Performance - Belly Dancers

As classic, folkloric and fusion belly dance styles grow and evolve, so does Anaya Belly Dance. The troupe aesthetic is most strongly defined by over 20 years of study by Artistic Director Katy Moeggenberg, first in Cabaret under Nataj at Habeeba’s Dance of the Arts, then in improvisational belly dance with Lexington-based Teresa Tomb and her troupe, Rakadu. Katy began offering her first fusion belly dance classes in Cincinnati in 2001, and the group’s first performance under the name Anaya happened in 2002. Since then, the troupe continues to evolve and grow, returning to Golden Era belly dance influences while pushing the envelope of explorational fusion. What remains constant is a dedicated group of dancers with a serious commitment to strong dance technique, unending study, classic inspiration, and daring innovation.

Dr. Heather Christensen

Professor

Heather Christensen, PhD is an Associate Professor in the department of Medical Education at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Heather has a true passion for teaching and is continually inspired by the brilliance of the students she works with. And, as a mom of three boys and wife to a seriously energetic husband, she welcomes adventure in all aspects of her life.

Kim Belew

Child Sex Trafficking Survivor, Musician, Inspirational Speaker

Kim Belew is a survivor of sex trafficking who is an educator to medical professionals and first responders. She’s also a National award winning musician and inspirational speaker. Website: kimbelew.com Facebook: kim belew Instagram: consciousrapchic

Lauren Eylise

Singer/Songwriter

Lauren Eylise genre-defying music can only be accurately categorized as eclectic-soul, as an array of influences make up her sound while each song is born from lessons of the soul. Lauren Eylise has opened stages for the likes of Patti Labelle, Erykah Badu, Most recently, Lauren stole the spotlight with a host of incredible write-ups and features as a result of her standout Tiny Desk Contest performance of “Peaks & Valleys”.Lauren’s recent releases include singles from her upcoming album titled “This Is Personal”. The first single, Peaks & Valleys, is a powerful and emotive build of an ode calling for healing and the unapologetic embrace of the highs and lows in life. Shortly after, Lauren released “Voodoo (Black Girl Magic)”, a sonically cinematic love letter to black women. Most recently, Lauren dropped “Bad Choices”, a raw and gritty introspective song guaranteed to make feet tap and heads nod. Lauren’s sophomore album,

Louise Ashby

Author, Activist and Mindset Mentor

Louise Ashby became an author, activist and mindset mentor after surviving a near fatal car accident which left her facially disfigured and with a traumatic brain injury. Having experienced the power of the mind, her mission is in helping others discover their power and true purpose.

Maria Lees-Dunlap

Death Companion

Maria Lees-Dunlap started on the journey of a lifetime with the birth and death of her first child, Vivian. From her experience as a 'medical mom' she founded a nonprofit, Reviv Family Support Foundation, where she works to bridge gaps for families when their child receives a significant medical diagnosis. After 7 years of Death Companion work through Reviv, Maria has created a new initiative, Guided Arrow, which takes a relational approach to grief by educating, equipping and empowering those who desire to support the grievers in their lives. Maria is a wife to her 'hunk-a-burning-love' Roddy and a mom of 9.

Molly Wellmann

Mixologist

Molly Wellmann is an award winning ,self taught Mixologist, Bar owner, and author from Cincinnati .

Nina Paul

Philanthropist

Nina Paul, originally moved from Los Angeles, CA to Cincinnati, 35 years ago. She has been a volunteer in several organizations, serving on many local and national boards. She has a passion for Israel and the Jewish people and continues to work hard to strengthen communities worldwide. She also supports organizations that deal with people with "special" abilities. Family plays a very important role in her daily life, especially now that she has just become a first time grandmother!

Revolution Dance Theatre

Performance - Dance

Revolution Dance Theatre, Cincinnati's ONLY African American Dance company in residence at the prestigious Aronoff Center for the Arts, is a non profit organization dedicated to building cultural diversity in the world of dance. Intent on inclusion in ballet, RDT is committed to work that raises the level of access, visibility and representation of American Americans in dance. The company presents a full concert season at the Aronoff Center, brings Master teachers and workshops to Cincinnati and partners with BLOC Ministries and bring FREE dance education to the Lower Price Hill Community.

Theresa Alenghat

Researcher and faculty member in the Immunology Division of Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Theresa Alenghat is a faculty member in the Immunology Division of Cincinnati Children's Hospital. She runs a research lab that investigates our relationship with bacteria that normally live in our intestine. Her research has revealed new pathways for how our microbiome impacts infection, obesity, and inflammation.

Yvette Simpson

Strategist and Commentator

Mover, Maker, Motivator. Yvette Simpson, Esq. MBA, is a political strategist, CEO of Democracy For America and ABC News Commentator. She works everyday to help people change their communities and our country for the better. Her legacy, North Star, reason for being: to help people change the world in small in large ways.