Theme: S.T.E.A.M. with a Twist

Being a youth can be tough. Being told you must perform at a certain level can begin to drown out creativity, imagination and innovation. What if our youth were given a platform to share their ideas without the pressure to conform to a pre-set thought pattern or a grade? TEDxYouth@JeffersonStreet event is this opportunity. We believe that young people are incubators of sheer brilliance on many levels, so they need more platforms to share it. We believe they need practice to discover their brilliance. TEDxYouth events are fun, imaginative, and smart.

Meharry Medical College - School of Public Health
2020 Meharry Blvd.
Nashville, Tennessee, 37208
United States

Dorsa Taheri

Student, Franklin High School

Dorsa Taheri is a 16-year-old at Franklin High School in Franklin, Tennessee. She is passionate about music, nature, and the intersection between the humanities and technology. Her work with AI and machine learning has led her to explore the modern-day consequences of technology in the real world and how to sustainably use it to better humanity.

Jada Scott

Student, Central Magnet High School

Jada Scott is not just a STEM enthusiast, she's a dedicated advocate for science and math. Her life-long passion is to inspire others to explore these fields. As a published author and visual artist of the children's book Talking Planets, she uses her creativity to educate young children about the solar system. Her fun and colorful storyline, told from the planet's point of view, is a testament to her commitment to making learning enjoyable and accessible. Jada serves as a tutor in the Mu Alpha Theta math club and plays varsity tennis, but she's also a member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and the MLK Leadership Academy of Rutherford County. She participated in the Girls Who Tech AI Scholars Program in partnership with WITT and Amazon AWS. In her free time, she gives back to her community by volunteering at the local tennis club, indulges her creative side through drawing, and broadens her horizons through travel and reading.

Jayla Lyle

Student, Hume-Fogg Academic High School

Jayla Lyle, aged 17, finds solace and variety in collecting hobbies. Among her interests are writing poetry and stories, crocheting, and reading. She holds particular affection for books like "All the Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven and "Identical" by Ellen Hopkins.

Jude Hammoud

Co-founder, Potentia360

Jude is the co-founder of Potentia360, an organization empowering youth from all backgrounds with the skills and mindsets necessary to thrive in a technology-driven future. He is currently finishing his Masters degree in Bioengineering at Northeastern University while working as Researcher in the EPIC brain lab studying brain network connectivity precision mental health treatments. Jude is dedicated to making mental, physical, and social well-being accessible to everyone through his impact-oriented pursuits. Jude also loves fitness and yoga, plant-based nutrition, leading meditation sessions, making music, laughing, and figuring out cool new things to enjoy.

Marcus Knight

Presidential Fellow, Belmont University

Marcus Keon Knight is a 24-year-old content creator, singer, actor, producer, motivational speaker and more, harnessing a voice and message of optimism and authenticity. Marcus recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, one of the top business and music industry specialized schools. He has been a little of everything - from 4 years in residence life to a year-long host of a nationally recognized student showcase series. Marcus is an avid lover of all things dealing with digital marketing, social media, personal branding and human development. When he isn’t working on something, he watches a new series on Netflix or hangs out with friends and family. He currently serves at his alma mater in a year-long fellowship, diving into higher education and strategic initiatives university-wide. He wishes to be a true connector, reconciling the world back to its truest and purest form.

Mauryce Thomas, II

Student, Fisk University

Mauryce Thomas II is a student at Fisk University, majoring in Psychology. The mental health industry in America needs more Black male therapists to create a space for Black mental health. Mauryce firmly believes mental health education is the future. In January 2021, Mr. Thomas launched The Breakable Cycle. The Breakable Cycle is dedicated to educating the Black Community on the importance of Mental Health. Mauryce has always believed in advocating for Black mental health. My interest in the field of psychology began in high school. I learned, based on my own experiences with mental health and the assistance I was able to provide for my friends who confided in me, that becoming a psychologist was the career I felt a calling towards. Mauryce's ultimate goal is to receive a master's degree in child psychology, open a private practice, and provide a safe space for Black youth.

Vanessa Namubiru

Student, Ravenwood High School

Vanessa Namubiru currently attends Ravenwood High School. She has a passion for swimming, drawing, and traveling to new places.