From the basketball court to the boardroom, Virgil Stănescu has redefined what it means to be a leader in sports and business. A former captain of Romania’s National Basketball Team for a decade and an international competitor in EuroLeague, EuroCup, and EuroChallenge, his 20-year career is adorned with trophies, medals, and Hall of Fame recognition at the University of South Alabama. Beyond his athletic prowess, Stănescu has championed education and youth development through initiatives like Steaua Basketball’s center of excellence and the transformative Go Scholarship program. As President of Steaua Bucharest Basketball Club and a prominent voice in global business forums, he continues to inspire future generations by blending the values of sportsmanship with academic and professional excellence. Virgil Stănescu is not just a player or executive—he’s a visionary shaping tomorrow’s leaders. Virgil Stănescu's basketball career spanned top international leagues, including EuroLeague and EuroCup. He studied General Management at the University of South Alabama and earned a Master's in European Economic Integration.Stănescu served as Romania's National Basketball Team captain for a decade during his 15-year tenure. In 2014, he was inducted into the University of South Alabama's Hall of Fame. After retiring from professional play, he transitioned to leadership roles, including President of Steaua Bucharest Basketball Club and Vice President of the Romanian Basketball Federation.His focus shifted to integrating sports and education, establishing a youth center of excellence at Steaua Basketball. Stănescu's latest project, Go Scholarship, supports young athletes' holistic development across various sports. He advocates for the values gained through sports training and competition, believing they apply universally to sports, economics, and education. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

A visionary in Philippine cinema, Direk Joey Reyes has shaped the industry with his award-winning storytelling, sharp insights, and dedication to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers. He shares his learnings both as a director and as a person, in the hopes of helping others find their authentic self. Jose Javier Reyes is a multi-awarded producer, director, and writer for films, television and stage. He presently holds the position of Chairman and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. He also served as the Chairman of the Film Program of the School of New Media Arts at the De la Salle College of Saint Benilde from 2018 to 2024.He has received recognition as Best Director and Best Writer in every award giving body for film in the country. He has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers Union of the Philippines (2020) for his close to two hundred screenplays that he has written for film and innumerable scripts he has created for television.Mr. Reyes is still a practicing academician, film and television producer, writer and director. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Mide Johnson, a Nigerian-born jazz and afro soul rapper and human rights lawyer, explores exclusion through rhythm and rage in his performance. He highlights both foreign and local themes of exclusion, particularly in the Congo DRC. Wearing a costume with Mandela’s prison number, crafted from upcycled materials, he concludes with a powerful message of not just the hope for, but the inevitability of freedom. He is joined by talented artists, including Tracy, Yannick Banka Bigero, David Schorderet, Tsalom Roberts, and Norman Slinger. Mide Johnson is a Nigerian-born soul, jazz, and rap artist. With a background in human rights law and visual arts, Mide uses his art as a medium for activism, conveying deep emotions and fostering connections within communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Jeannine’s Talk, The Weight of First: The Unspoken Burden of Breaking Barriers and Belonging explores the unique challenges and choices faced by "first and onlys" who break barriers, such as being the first in your family to graduate, the first in your workplace to take on a groundbreaking role, or the only one in your community to achieve significant success in exclusive or traditionally unfamiliar spaces. It delves into how these accomplishments can alter personal relationships (even by those who knew you intimately before success) and challenge one's sense of identity and belonging. "Jeannine K Brown was named among the 25 Most Powerful Women in the Accounting profession in 2024 and 2023 by the Association of International Certified Public Accountants, Inc. (AICPA & CIMA). As the CEO of Everyday Lead, Jeannine K. Brown advocates for creating psychologically safe spaces for high-performance teams. Her people-centered work delivers solutions that assist corporations, increase retention, develop leaders, advance talent, and create competitive advantage with the implementation of the firm’s signature high-performance team strategy. Before 2010, Jeannine held leadership roles at Deloitte, the Alabama Department of Revenue, and in industry, where she led national teams in state and local tax planning and economic development. Jeannine earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Alabama State University, Percy J. Vaughn, Jr., College of Business Administration, and an MBA from Robinson College, Georgia State University. She is the author of the bestselling book, Unstuck and Unstoppable, host of the UnToxic Boss Podcast. Jeannine serves on several civic and organizational boards. She enjoys live music performances, the arts, and to explore destinations far away from home." This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Join Teresa in her TEDx talk as she explores the profound connection between space, design, and our emotional well-being. From her early discovery of the intricate Portalegre tapestries to her transformative career in interior design, Teresa shares how her journey led her to rethink the purpose of design. With vivid storytelling, she delves into how design goes beyond aesthetics to embed history, emotion, and storytelling, turning everyday spaces into realms of deep emotional connection and cultural legacy. In this inspiring session, Teresa illustrates how intentional design can influence mood, health, and well-being, creating spaces that are not just seen but deeply felt. Through her advocacy for preserving the art of tapestry weaving, she challenges us to consider the invisible elements that shape our experiences and foster genuine connections in the spaces we inhabit. ✨ Inspired by the power of intentional design? Like, comment, and share how the spaces around you influence your feelings and connections. ? Subscribe for more TEDx talks that transform our understanding of art and design! #TEDx #InteriorDesign #EmotionalDesign #CulturalHeritage #TapestryArt #MeaningfulSpaces Teresa Vitoria is a trailblazing interior designer and entrepreneur renowned for her innovative approach to creating meaningful spaces. With a deep belief in the integral role that our environments play in our lives, Teresa employs cutting-edge methods such as biogeometry and neuroscience to cultivate interiors that resonate with well-being and creativity.At the helm of Alchemya, Teresa channels her passion for holistic design into every project, ensuring that each space not only reflects the client’s vision but also fosters harmony and balance. Her unique perspective combines aesthetics with scientific insights, allowing her to transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences.Through her work, Teresa aims to educate others about the profound impact of our surroundings, advocating for design that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s a home, workspace, or creative studio, Teresa Vitoria aspires to inspire and elevate the way we interact with the world around us. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Challenging the pervasive "deficit perspective" in education, which unfairly blames students from marginalized backgrounds for their struggles. Drawing on personal experience and research by scholars like Richard Valencia and Aida Hurtado, advocating for a shift toward culturally responsive teaching that sees students’ backgrounds as strengths, not shortcomings. Calling for systemic change that nurtures, rather than condemns, the potential of every learner. Navid Amarlou is a dedicated UROC Scholar at CSUMB with a passion for advancing knowledge in social psychology. His research explores critical topics such as creativity, morality, and education through the lens of deficit thinking, seeking to uncover how these frameworks impact marginalized groups. With a strong commitment to fostering equity and inclusion, Navid’s ultimate goal is to pursue a PhD and become a professor and researcher who uplifts underrepresented communities through impactful, socially conscious scholarship.In his role as an Educational Research Specialist at Outside the Box Education, Navid combines his analytical expertise and dedication to meaningful change, contributing to innovative educational practices that inspire growth and learning. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx