This presentation begins with a familiar childhood game, Simon Says, to reveal how systems of control and strict obedience shape the minds of African children. The speaker explores how rigid rules in both education and society often silence curiosity, limit creativity, and suppress individuality. These patterns follow children into adulthood, creating individuals who fear speaking up and conform to expectations instead of challenging them. The talk highlights the long-term consequences of valuing silence over originality and calls for a shift in how children are raised and taught. It is a powerful call to break free from restrictive norms, to embrace questioning, and to create environments where self-expression and bold thinking are not only accepted but encouraged.A visionary with a heart for impact, Oyinade Adu is a 15-year-old student at Grange School, Nigeria, who channels her passion into coding, charity work, and advocacy for children worldwide. Deeply committed to empowering young voices, she believes that technology and compassion can work hand in hand to create a better future. Aspiring to become a medical researcher, Oyinade is driven by the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to make a lasting impact in the world. Today, she takes the TEDx stage, ready to inspire, challenge perspectives, and ignite change. 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
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- 16:16How your community can help you live better | Kiyomi Rollins | TEDxCollierHeightsA passionate call to reclaim collective care as a radical act of community survival. Drawing from her lived experience and cooperative work in Atlanta, Rollins explores how mutual aid, shared resources, and ancestral wisdom can dismantle cycles of isolation and scarcity. This talk centers the power of everyday people to build systems rooted in love, sustainability, and interdependence. With honesty and urgency, Rollins reminds us that in a world that often leaves us to fend for ourselves, community isn’t just a safety net—it’s a lifeline. Kiyomi Rollins is a community based social impact entrepreneur based in the historical community of Southwest Atlanta.For more than a decade, Kiyomi has triumphed as a Founder & CEO of several successful brands such as The Good Hair Shop, Ujamaafest Cooperative Economics Summit & The Ke’nekt Cooperative.Most recently, her role as Co-Founder + Director of The Ke’nekt Cooperative has allowed her to broaden her mission driven beliefs to include reparative community wealth principles that are rooted in Anti-Displacement strategies for legacy Black Owned Businesses. Her professional contributions have been featured in Essence, Atlanta Tribune, Atlanta Voice, Creative Loafing, Atlanta Journal Constitution & Blavity. A few highlights of past recognitions include being featured in Unsung Heroines of West End Mural, Invest Atlanta 2018 Micro-Manufacturer of the Year, City of Atlanta 2019 NPU-T Neighborhood Champion & 2016-2020 American Express Small Business Neighborhood Champion. 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
- 15:27A Place of Our Own | James Bailey | TEDxCollierHeightsThis talk traces the extraordinary legacy of Collier Heights—one of the first communities in the U.S. built by and for Black homeowners during the height of segregation. Through the story of visionaries like Mr. Russell and the collective determination of Black Atlantans, the speaker illuminates how ownership—of land, of narrative, of future—became a tool of resistance and empowerment. At its heart, The Power of Ownership is a tribute to the people who dared to dream, build, and protect a neighborhood where Black excellence could thrive. Committed to living by his personal motto, “Build As We Climb”, change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur and emerging philanthropist, James M. Bailey has dedicated his life to serving others. James serves as President and CEO of the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE). Honoring the great legacy and visionary business leadership of Herman J. Russell, Sr., he will lead the development of the largest center in America, driven by impact, dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners; over 50,000 square feet designed to inspire ideas, create jobs, grow companies, and increase wealth in the community.An Atlanta native and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, James has a proven track record of success, recognized by 3 U.S. Presidents for his leadership and community efforts. In 2012, James was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” 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
