Theme: FOrward>>>THinking

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).

The Music Hall
28 Chestnut Street
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801
United States

"A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman Lulu Richmond & Anthony Ippolito

Students

High school sophomore, Anthony Ippolito, and Fifth Grader, Lulu Richmond perform "A Million Dreams" to celebrate neurodiversity and the idea that all kids deserve a chance to shine.

"Daffodils" by Florence & The Machine Portsmouth School of Ballet

Owner/Creative Director, Portsmouth School of Ballet

Ballet Technique, Pointe, Variations, Pas de Deux, Young Children’s Program, Contemporary Ballet, Strength & Conditioning, Competition Choreographer

Andrea Pickett

Resident Services Coordinator, Portsmouth Housing Authority

Andrea Pickett holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology with a focus on public policy, which she earned while full-time solo parenting and working for the Portsmouth Housing Authority. In her work, she draws on her own experience with poverty to relate to the community she serves, helping others access resources that made stability possible for herself. Andrea works to give people experiencing poverty a voice to weigh in on issues that directly impact their daily lives, offering them “a seat at the table.” In the words of Muhammad Yunus, she hopes that “one day, our grandchildren will go to museums to see what poverty was like.”

Bhumika Prem

Student

A ninth grader at Phillips Exeter Academy, Bhumika Prem immigrated to the United States when she was one year old. Bhumika is a visual artist who brings her passion for art to others, serving as regional director of Back to Bach Visual Arts, a student-run organization dedicated to making music and arts education more accessible to schools. She also volunteers for ENGin, an organization that pairs Ukrainian youth with English speakers, and is a volunteer with ESSO Girls Who Code. Bhumika is passionate about STEAM and believes that STEAM education will change the world.

Claire Bloom

Executive Director, End 68 Hours of Hunger

Claire Bloom is a retired naval officer and was the first woman to be named second in command of the USS Constitution, serving in this capacity during the ship’s first sail in 116 years. After retiring, she founded End 68 Hours of Hunger, a nonprofit organization delivering food each weekend to 4,500 food-insecure local children for their weekends away from free school meals. She currently volunteers as the organization’s executive director. Claire is a mom to four, grandmother to 12, and great-grandmother to eight.

Courtney Daniel

Entrepreneur

A nationally recognized, award-winning administrative professional at The Courtney Daniel Brand, Courtney Daniel’s dedication and ability to build relationships has afforded her the opportunity to work with top-name celebrities. Courtney’s desire to create value in her community led to the creation of the No to Patterns podcast and online resource, featuring BIPOC business owners, change-makers, and supporters of change. Courtney currently serves as vice chair of WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio and is on the advisory panel for Arts in Reach (AIR). She believes dancing and hitting the gym are the secret sauce to self-care.

James W. Dean Jr.

President, University of New Hampshire

James “Jim” Dean is president of the University of New Hampshire and interim chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire. He previously served as provost of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and dean of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Jim and his wife Jan have two wonderful daughters and four spectacular grandchildren. He is an amateur clarinet player, an avid reader, a Francophile, a lifelong soccer and basketball fan, and a supporter of all UNH sports teams. He believes passionately in the value of higher education for individuals and for society.

Jennifer Moore

Founder, Project Upcycle

Jennifer Moore is the founder and co-creator of Project Upcycle, a sustainable fashion competition for emerging designers in New England, and PortSwap, the popular clothing swap that celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019 with over 500 people in attendance. Over the years, Jennifer has been a blogger, editor, and magazine contributor on sustainable style. Jennifer is known online as “Recovergirl,” which she says is a riff on the brand name CoverGirl with “Re” added to bring to mind “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” .

John T. Broderick Jr.

Sr. Director External Affairs, Dartmouth Health

John Broderick became the senior director of external affairs at Dartmouth Health in 2017. He was a member of the New Hampshire Supreme Court from 1995 to 2010, serving his last seven years there as chief justice. After stepping down from that role, he became dean of the University of New Hampshire’s Franklin Pierce Law School. Since 2016, he has spoken countless times to various audiences about the five most common signs of mental illness and about the R.E.A.C.T. campaign, designed by Dartmouth-Health and embraced by the New Hampshire Department of Education in an effort to improve understanding and awareness of mental illness.

Kieran Rhodes

Alternative Singer Songwriter

Storyteller and former Varsity baseball player, Kieran Rhodes, is an alternative singer-songwriter. In his sophomore year at Berklee College of Music, Kieran debuted as a contestant on the 17th season of America’s Got Talent, where he won the hearts of millions around the world with his original, “Disengage.”

Michelle Kelley

US Lead, FBI special agent & hostage negotiator

A former hostage negotiator, FBI special agent, and second-grade teacher (yes, they’re connected!), Michelle Kelley now works to share the skills of elite listening with people from all walks of life. As a counterterrorism agent, 9/11 trial contributor, and educator, Michelle has things she can never reveal — and some that she can. Fortunately, the lessons she can share from her high-octane career transfer to valuable skills we can all use in everyday life. Michelle works with The Listening Institute and lives with her super-supportive husband and sporty son.

Scarlet Keys

Professor, Author, Musician, Berklee College of Music

Scarlet Keys is a professor at Berklee College of Music and a former staff songwriter for Warner Chappell. Scarlet’s songs have been heard on film and TV and garnered her a gold record. She has collaborated with recording artists such as Chris Stapleton, Eric Roberson, Melissa Ferrick, and local artist Sam Robbins. Some of her former students include Lizzy McAlpine, Charlie Puth, Amy Allen, Ingrid Andress, and Betty Who. Scarlet is the host of the What’s in a Song podcast and the author of The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion, but most notably, she is a world-class parallel parker.

Stephen Gianotti

Founder & President, The Woodland Group

Stephen Gianotti is the founder and president of The Woodland Group, an organizational development company based in New Hampshire. He also serves as board chair for the Global Society for Organizational Learning, based in Stockholm. With the exception of spending 15 years in the corporate world, where he was fortunate to travel extensively, Stephen has lived in New Hampshire all of his life. Stephen was the official Zoom safari guide for Botswana’s elephant rescue sanctuary, sharing the majesty and the mystery of the African elephant with thousands of people around the world. Africa occupies a very special place in Stephen’s soul.