When Tia Robinson traveled to Ghana, she expected a cultural homecoming. Instead, she found beaches littered with mountains of discarded clothing—many with tags still on—shipped from countries like the U.S., U.K., and China. What began as a personal journey quickly became a confrontation with the global cost of mass production and textile waste.Through vivid storytelling and lived experience, Tia reveals the flaws of modern fashion systems, driven by overproduction and under-regulation, and offers a path forward. Tia Robinson gives us a whole new way to think about fashion and makes the case that we can transform an industry by the choices we make.As CEO and founder of Vertical Activewear, she eliminates waste by producing on-demand, ethically made activewear. In 2023, Tia expanded her vision by launching an in-house, vertically integrated supply chain.Her brand has been featured in Essence, Shape and New York Magazine, and she received Beyoncé’s NAACP and BeyGOOD Foundation Grant.With more than 15 years in marketing, merchandising and wellness, Tia offers solutions that reduce environmental and social harm.She is a Morgan State University graduate and Georgia Tech ATDC portfolio company member. 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

Why do we break the promises we make to ourselves? Walt Brown—a veteran management consultant and trust evangelist—reveals a surprising truth: the promises we make alone are doomed to fail. But when we involve others, everything changes.With wit, vulnerability, and a dash of biscuit-fueled honesty, Walt walks us through his journey as a self-proclaimed serial promise breaker, and how a single promise from his wife transformed his health, and his understanding of trust.But this talk isn’t just about personal change. It’s a rallying cry for leaders, teams, and organizations. Drawing from his work with over 185 companies, Walt shows us how promise-making and promise-keeping at work are the invisible levers behind trust, culture, and high performance. Walt Brown is on a mission to remove the “yoke of organizational confusion and dysfunction” that holds employees back from being their best selves at work. By breaking down barriers and aligning teams, Walt is reshaping the way businesses operate—one trust-filled workplace at a time.He believes trust is the foundation of a thriving organization, and when confusion and misalignment persist, distrust takes root. Through years of observation and action, Walt has developed actionable models that help companies foster Buy-in, Inclusion, Trust, and Engagement. His work has directly impacted more than 55,000 employees across 185 companies, empowering organizations to build healthier, more cohesive cultures. 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

What if trying—and failing—isn’t a setback, but a sacred part of becoming who you are?In this heartfelt talk, muralist George F. Baker III (aka GFB3) takes us from a rooftop in Atlanta to the vibrant Bonnaroo Mushroom, sharing how a single moment with a legendary artist, and a lifetime of lessons from his father, transformed the way he approaches both art and life.From nervous doodles to massive public murals, GFB3 reveals how creative risks, imperfect attempts, and second chances aren’t flaws in the process—they are the process. Whether you’re starting something new or struggling to keep going, this talk is a powerful reminder: it's just paint—you can always start again. Muralist George F. Baker III’s—GFB3—mission is clear: to encourage people to take creative risks, embrace mistakes, and design the life they truly want--one brushstroke at a time.With over 50 murals to his name, including the Bonnaroo Mushroom Fountain, GFB3's art reflects his belief that life, like art, is built through bold attempts and continuous learning. He uses his work to awaken the inner child in all of us—encouraging curiosity, playfulness, and fearless creativity. 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

What if dignity isn’t something we lose but something we choose to give? When Alzheimer’s began to erode her mother’s identity, healthcare strategist and caregiver advocate Lisa Groon discovered that compassion and presence can restore dignity and nurture well being. In this talk she shares candid stories, from laughter in unexpected moments to person-centered care innovations, that challenge our approach to dementia and inspire us to create moments of joy and connection. Lisa Groon is a healthcare strategist and caregiver advocate with over twenty years of experience in patient-centered care. Inspired by her role caring for a mother with Alzheimer’s, she reframes dignity as an act of compassion and presence. Her Dignity Paradox framework challenges conventional approaches to Alzheimer’s, empowering caregivers to preserve dignity through presence. She also brings these lessons to life through keynotes and workshops, guiding audiences to deepen connection and restore dignity in the face of memory loss. 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

Seeing the Unseen explores the power of human connection in street medicine, where healing begins with trust, compassion, and meeting people where they are. Through firsthand stories, this piece highlights the harsh realities faced by the unhoused, from untreated infections to survival-driven substance use. It challenges misconceptions, shedding light on systemic barriers that keep people trapped in cycles of poverty, addiction, and trauma. From a man seeking a prosthetic leg to a woman using substances out of fear for her safety, these stories reveal the stark realities of life on the streets—and the profound impact of showing up, listening, and providing care where it is needed most. Street medicine isn’t just about medical care—it’s about dignity, advocacy, and providing basic necessities often overlooked. Focusing on real experiences, this work calls for a redefinition of healthcare, urging society to see and acknowledge those who are too often invisible. Dr. Mo, (Melissa Dittberner), PhD, CPS, PS, LMT, is an award-winning lecturer in the Addiction Counseling and Prevention department at the University of South Dakota. Melissa has a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychology in Education, a master’s in Addiction Studies, and a bachelor’s in Health Sciences. Dr. Mo is an advocacy speaker, prevention specialist, and peer specialist. She is the CEO of Straight Up Care, a telehealth platform for peer specialists. Dr. Mo is the Executive Director of Midwest Street Medicine. She is a co-author of The Alcohol Reset. She conducts research in the areas of college students’ substance use, pedagogy, addiction, trauma, body brokering, tattoos as healing, and harm reduction. Dr. Mo is a person in long-term recovery, and her mission is to empower individuals to learn and navigate their paths to recovery and well-being. 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

What if uncertainty wasn’t a threat, but an opportunity? In this deeply personal and eye-opening talk, futurist Dimitris Dimitriadis invites us to stop treating the future as a single straight line and start seeing it as a landscape of possibilities. From neurodivergent struggle to global strategy, he reveals how the power of foresight can help each of us become architects of our own future — not just survivors of someone else’s plan. Dimitris Dimitriadis is a futurist, keynote speaker, and author of 2049: A Hopeful Perspective on the Futures of Humanity. As the founder of TheFutureCats, a future-first consultancy, he advises institutions like the European Commission and leading brands on foresight and exponential technologies. Blending strategy with imagination, he empowers people to reframe uncertainty not as a problem, but as a tool for transformation. Diagnosed with Asperger’s and ADHD, he brings a unique, lived perspective on the power of thinking differently. 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