Red, yellow, and green. Stop, pause, and go. Our world runs on signals. At all of life’s intersections, we constantly have to ask ourselves how we will proceed. Three choices can be made at these forks: remain steadfast and still, cautiously test new waters, or boldly rush ahead. The yellow and green lights can motivate continuous movement. But, the red light halts you to reflect on the experiences that have shaped you, your community, and the larger world. As you stand at the crossroads, join us to unravel how you can navigate the path to what comes next. Kay Bell is a Poet, Educator and the 2023-2025 Bronx Poet Laureate. She is also the author of two collections of poetry: Cry Sweat Bleed Write (Lily Poetry Review Books, 2020) & Diary of an Intercessor (Finishing Line Press, 2021). Her poetry aims to weave the language of activism with the voice of the marginalized to confront and interrogate literary spaces of oppression and her work as the Bronx Poet Laureate focuses on promoting the inclusion of and passion for poetry across the Bronx, looking to inspire a new generation of writers and poets. She was named a part of CUNY's inaugral 50 under 50 alumni list.June Williamson is Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in Architecture at the Spitzer School of Architecture of The City College of New York, CUNY, where she has been on the faculty since 2008, teaching architecture design studio and supporting courses in urban site analysis, suburban form, and other topics. A registered architect, Williamson is an international expert on suburban retrofitting and the uses of good urban design in the redevelopment, reinhabitation, and regreening of obsolete suburban built form. Her award-winning books include Retrofitting Suburbia (Wiley, 2008, updated 2011), the sequel Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia (Wiley, 2021), both with Ellen Dunham-Jones, and Designing Suburban Futures: New Models from Build a Better Burb (Island, 2013), work for which she and Professor Dunham-Jones will receive the 2025 Seaside Prize.Kristine Esser Slentz is a Maltese descendent, queer, cult escapee, and author of EXHIBIT: an amended woman, depose (FlowerSong Press 2021, 2024). She grew up in both northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area—what her father calls the ‘bottom of the blue-collar.’ After receiving her GED, she completed her undergraduate degree at Purdue University, double-majoring in English Literature and Creative Writing, before earning a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (poetry) from City College of New York (CCNY). KRISTINE was a finalist in the Glass Poetry Chapbook and F(r)iction's Flash Fiction Contests, recipient of a CCNY English Department Teacher-Writer Award, and former Rifkind Fellow and Poets Afloat resident. She is the co-founder and organizer/host of the monthly experimental artist series, Adverse Abstraction, in New York City's East Village. You can follow KRISTINE’s art on her substack, Carnations & Car Crashes. 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

In her impactful TED Talk “Beyond The Final Frontier,” Sonal Goel explores not just space exploration through figures like Sunita Williams, but the equally powerful journey within ourselves. She frames her talk around three key principles: Inquire, Improvise, and Inspire—urging us to question limits, adapt to challenges, and uplift others through our actions. She highlights the often overlooked “silent frontier” of mental health, stressing the need to break stigma and embrace emotional intelligence, especially in a world where patriarchy still imposes invisible restrictions. Through personal insights, she shows how resilience and inner motivation can lead to meaningful change. Her powerful message is summed up in the phrase “Not Yet”—a reminder that setbacks are temporary and potential is always unfolding. She concludes by emphasizing the power of collaboration in unlocking our collective strength and pushing beyond all frontiers, both seen and unseen. Ms. Sonal Goel, IAS (2008 batch), currently serves as Secretary, Government of Tripura, and is the author of "Nation Calling – Holistic Approach to UPSC Civil Services Examination." With over 16 years in public service, she has led initiatives in rural development, digital transformation, urban governance, and women and child welfare. She has served extensively in both Tripura and Haryana. Recognized nationally and internationally, she was named among the ‘Top 25 Women Transforming India’ by NITI Aayog and UN (2016), and honored as a ‘Web Wonder Woman’ by Twitter India and Ministry of Women & Child Development (2019). 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

America’s food system is contributing to a nationwide rise in chronic illnesses. In this talk, Valentina Vasquez uncovers how harmful production practices and heavily processed ingredients are affecting our health. She explores the gap between what we think we're eating and what we're actually consuming. Her message is a call to action for greater awareness, transparency, and healthier choices at every level. Valentina Vasquez, a junior at SRDS, is excited to give her second TEDx talk, which she developed with her advisor, Robert Kettlewell. Outside of TED, she enjoys painting, reading, biking, and spending time with her family. She has always been passionate about clean, healthy eating and loves experimenting in the kitchen, which led her to take a deeper look at how our food affects our health. Her talk explores the impact of harmful food production in America and its role in the rise of chronic illnesses, highlighting the need for greater awareness and better food choices. 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 the secret to success… isn’t just you? In this powerful and unexpectedly emotional TEDx talk, Deepak Gupta, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, flips the usual success story on its head.This isn’t a speech about achievements, titles, or big wins. This is a story of mirror moments — when someone told him, “You can do better.” Of being thrown into high-stakes projects unprepared. Of learning Mandarin in China to survive in business — and in life. Of being humbled by people 10 years younger. Of a performance review... from his wife. And of a 9-year-old who taught him what true presence means.If you think success is about being the smartest person in the room? What if your biggest growth moments came from discomfort, doubt, or even criticism?This talk will challenge what you believe about leadership, growth, and gratitude. And by the end, you might just feel the urge to thank someone who changed your life.Watch till the end — the closing thought will stay with you long after.Deepak Gupta is the Co‑Founder & COO of Visage Lines Personal Care, the parent company behind Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae. He joined Bombay Shaving Company in 2019 as Chief Revenue Officer, later becoming COO in June 2021, before being elevated to Co‑Founder in December 2022An alumnus of IIT Bombay, Deepak is noted for his strategic intellect and executional rigor, which prompted Shantanu Deshpande (founder & CEO) to formally recognize him as co‑founder—a rare move highlighting their partnership 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

In this talk Anil Jain (an Academic Counsellor + Philanthropist) explores practical lessons from yoga, discipline, and tradition—showing how ancient practices can elevate modern life, leadership, and well-being. Anil Kumar Jain, Academic Counselor at IGNOU and former Additional Secretary to the Government of India, blends a background in science, engineering, and economics with over 50 years of dedicated practice in yoga, meditation, and Indian traditional wisdom—bridging ancient practices with contemporary life and governance. 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

Rohit Biswas’s journey is a powerful reminder that life doesn’t have to follow a fixed script. In his talk "Beyond the Final Frontier," he shares how he walked away from a secure engineering job, despite promotions and a promising career, after realizing that success without fulfillment felt empty. That moment of clarity set him on an unpredictable but meaningful path. He restarted his career at 27 as an unpaid intern in a media company, reporting to people younger than him. With no formal training in filmmaking, Rohit chose to learn, adapt, and give it his all. Within a year, he became the lead cinematographer at ScoopWhoop, proving that passion and persistence can beat conventional qualifications. When the pandemic hit, fear forced him to grow. Unable to shoot outdoors, Rohit taught himself new skills — editing, anchoring, even flying drones — turning crisis into opportunity. His adaptability not only helped him survive but led to his emergence as an on-camera personality and creative voice. Today, Rohit is a storyteller, content creator, and director — and once again, he has quit his job to explore new frontiers. His journey is about constantly redefining what’s “normal,” pushing boundaries, and trusting the process. It’s a message for anyone standing at the edge of uncertainty: take the leap — regret is always worse than failure. #TEDxSSCBS #Beyond the final frontier Rohit Biswas is a creative director, anchor, cinematographer, and storyteller who has built his career from the ground up in India's media landscape. Known for his work with ScoopWhoop and Zomato, he continues to break boundaries and inspire others to take the leap — no matter how late or uncertain it feels. 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