Vocaholics a capella performance during TEDxUCincinnati's TENx event. The UC Vocaholics is a high-energy a cappella group at the University of Cincinnati, uniting students from all fields with a shared passion for music. Established in 2014, the group is known for bold performances, dynamic harmonies, and creative musical storytelling. Over the years they have been awarded Outstanding Arrangement, Outstanding Soloist, Outstanding Vocal Percussion, and Outstanding Choreography. Most recently, they placed first at the Midwest ICCA quarterfinals and 4th place in the Midwest overall! They hope you enjoy their performance! 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

This Talk reframes early childhood education as a movement, not a moment: one that asks us to measure our community’s health by the well-being of its children. It explores the powerful ripple effects of high-quality preschool on equity, the economy, and long-term success, making the case that investing in our youngest learners is a moral, practical, and communal imperative. Chara Fisher Jackson is an integral part of the Cincinnati community. Since she moved to Cincinnati from Atlanta, she has served as executive director and interim President & CEO of a mid-size nonprofit to her current role as Executive Director & CEO of Cincinnati Preschool Promise, managing multimillion-dollar budgets in each organization. Her legal skills, strategic thinking, advocacy, and advances in civil rights and equity are a reflection of her deeply personal mission to improve her community and innovate early childhood education. Over 240 Providers and 12,000 children have benefitted from the work of Cincinnati Preschool Promise under her tutelage with the support of ten skilled professional staff members. Chara fully understands the pitfalls facing undereducated youth. From her work in Atlanta, she has vast experience as a lobbyist and litigator of complex civil rights issues. She has led advocacy campaigns and litigation on voting rights, the school to prison pipeline, and religious freedom issues. She embraces the vision of the Cincinnati Preschool Promise and knows the importance of engaging children early in their educational journey to prepare them to successfully navigate issues which may confront them later in life. Since 2019, she has led Cincinnati Preschool Promise's mission: "to ensure equitable access to high-quality preschool so that every Cincinnati child is prepared for kindergarten.” Chara's goal is to make sure every child has a chance to thrive by supporting the early childhood education ecosystem. Her interests and influence take her beyond traditional boundaries, empowering her to influence and encourage broader involvement in supporting the youngest learners in Cincinnati, a role she takes on with great enthusiasm and determination. She currently serves on the board of 5 community-based non-profit organizations and is an active member of SGI-USA, a global community-based network that practices the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. In 2024, she was recognized by the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati as a Career Woman of Achievement. 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

This powerful TED Talk tells the story of a family's harrowing escape from Vietnam and the generational impact of choosing to carry hope, hard work, and compassion instead of fear and defeat. Blending personal narrative with reflection, the speaker challenges us to consider what we carry, and how those choices shape our lives and the lives of others. Dr. Bekah Yoxthimer isn't just your Dr. USA 2023 pageant queen, she's a powerhouse of passion and purpose. Alongside her amazing husband and their trio of lively boys, she embodies the essence of the American dream. It's a legacy she inherited from her parents who, despite escaping war-torn Vietnam with barely anything, clung to hope to aspire to live the American dream. They found kindness in volunteers who housed them and drove them to interviews, so that they could succeed in life. Inspired by their journey, Dr. Bekah started a volunteer organization in 2018, "Strong Women Helping Others" to pay that kindness forward. Dr. Bekah strives for excellence in all that she does from earning a full academic scholarship at The Ohio State University, then skipped a year of undergrad and received early admissions into Dental school which is a difficult feat, to clinching the 2024 Top Dentist Award and twice becoming the International Speech Champion, Dr. Bekah's credentials shine brightly. She also has received two gold medals for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for all her volunteer work to help the marginalized. She is a public speaker, triathlete and social media influencer. Yet, amid these accolades, her true fulfillment comes from extending a hand to those in need. It's not just about the titles; it's about making a tangible difference in her community. 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

This talk highlights how persistence fuels meaningful change, both in community outreach promoting STEM education for underrepresented groups and in navigating the challenges of being a Black woman in engineering. It underscores that showing up consistently, despite obstacles, not only drives progress but also creates opportunities and representation for those who follow. A mentor, adviser, and community activist, Dr. Whitney Gaskins has dedicated her life to inspiring others and advancing philanthropic endeavors. Dr. Gaskins serves as the Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement in the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science, where she is the only African-American female currently teaching on the faculty. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration in Quantitative Analysis, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering/Engineering Education. In her role as Associate Dean, Dr. Gaskins has transformed the summer bridge program to enhance student support and retention and has cultivated partnerships with local school districts to strengthen the high school-to-college pathway. In 2009, Dr. Gaskins founded The Gaskins Foundation, a non-profit organization that launched STEMulates, a year-round, free-of-charge K-12 program designed to introduce students to math and science. STEMulates currently operates in five cities. In recognition of her work, she was named the 2017 K-12 Champion by the National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates (NAMEPA) and received the 2021 Cincinnati Lifts Inclusion and Minority Business Award. Dr. Gaskins has been actively involved in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) since 2003. With over 30,000 members, the organization strives to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact their communities. In 2013, Dr. Gaskins served as the Annual Convention Planning Chairperson, orchestrating the second-largest Annual Convention in NSBE history, with over 9,200 attendees, and raising more than $3,000,000 to support programmatic efforts. She continues to serve as an advisor to NSBE and was honored with the 2015 Janice A. Lumpkin Educator of the Year Golden Torch Award. Additional accolades include being recognized as a 2019 Greater Cincinnati Black History Maker, receiving the Dr. Terry Kershaw Faculty Excellence Award, and earning the 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Cincinnati for her innovative honors course, Sticky Innovation. Dr. Gaskins was named to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 and received the 2021 Career Woman of Achievement Award. In 2022, she was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, a Leader in Engineering Education by the Women Engineering Proactive Network, and a Woman Who Means Business by the Cincinnati Business Courier. In 2023, she received the Engineering Change Award from the Peer Group and an Educational Leadership Award at the Women of Color in STEM Conference. Her 2024 recognitions include being named Woman of the Year by the University of Cincinnati’s Women’s Center, a Changemaker by the Cincinnati Herald, and a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. The Gaskins Foundation and its collaboration with General Electric for the GE Next Engineers program also received National Society of Black Engineers Golden Torch Awards. An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Gaskins has served as President of both her undergraduate chapter (Omicron) and the Sigma Omega graduate chapter. Her leadership earned her the Outstanding President Award twice, and her chapter received numerous accolades under her guidance. She is also a member of The Links, Incorporated and an international Scott-Hawkins Leadership Fellow. Dr. Gaskins currently serves as the National President of NAMEPA, Inc. 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

This talk explores how emotional intelligence breaks us free from autopilot, enabling us to respond with intention, build authentic connections, and lead with purpose. It highlights emotional intelligence as a vital skill for thriving in complex, automated environments by fostering trust, collaboration, and resilient, inclusive cultures. Patrice Borders, J.D. is passionate about her purpose of transforming organizations through mindful, emotionally intelligent leadership. As an attorney, author, and workplace consultant, she empowers leaders with tools rooted in modern neuroscience to navigate stress, uncertainty, and conflict—while intentionally fostering well-being both personally and professionally. For over 20 years, her company AmplifyEI has helped organizations develop authentic, emotionally intelligent leaders. Through executive coaching and tailored learning experiences, Patrice brings out the best in individuals and teams. Known as The EI Amplifier™, she equips leaders to make inner changes that create profound outward impact, shaping a culture of belonging and engagement. Patrice has worked with global clients such as Danaher, Kroger, Dropbox, and Disney, consistently delivering transformational coaching and training. She codified her approach in the 7 Keys to Emotional Intelligence™ Model, a comprehensive roadmap for growth in self-awareness that drives stronger results, deeper insight, and heightened empathy. One client described her as “the perfect blend of IQ, EQ, facilitator, and wizard.” In her personal life, Patrice finds joy in mindful walks with her husband and fur baby, and she loves catching up with her two adult daughters as they navigate the world. 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

With the rise of AI tools such as generative AI, question arises around ethics, guardrails an regulation. This talk focuses on the fundamentals of Responsible AI, providing examples of issues faced given the rapid expansion of AI applications and use cases. Professor Kelly Cohen is a globally recognized expert in Responsible AI and Fuzzy Systems, with nearly four decades of experience at the forefront of innovation in ethical and intelligent technologies. As the president of the North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society (NAFIPS) and an endowed chair in aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati, he leads groundbreaking research and education efforts to ensure AI serves humanity responsibly. Heading the AI Bio Lab, Professor Cohen explores transformative AI applications across industries while advocating for transparency and trust in technology. His work bridges complex theoretical foundations with real-world solutions, inspiring audiences to envision a future where AI empowers society ethically and inclusively. 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