Autism isn't just one story or one type—it's a spectrum as diverse as a color wheel. In this powerful talk, Chloé Hayden, an award-winning actress and disability rights activist, challenges the stereotypes surrounding autism and advocates for a world where autistic individuals are free to simply be themselves, without labels or expectations.Chloé Hayden is an award-winning actress, bestselling author, and disability rights advocate, best known for her groundbreaking role as Quinni in Netflix’s Heartbreak High. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD at 13, she has become a powerful voice for neurodiversity, using her platform to inspire change, celebrate differences, and push for a more inclusive world. Chloé's work spans from acting and public speaking to launching sensory-friendly clothing and writing her bestselling book Different Not Less.#worldautismawarenessdayThis 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 our relationships at work—meant to support us—can sometimes become sources of burnout and exhaustion. Drawing on large-scale research projects across industries, Eric presents four relational traps hidden in our social networks: the Normative Cage, Emotional Contagion, Uncontrollable Interdependencies, and Excessive Demands. This talk invites us to rethink how we connect, collaborate, and care for ourselves at work. Eric Quintane is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior (with tenure) at ESMT. He holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Melbourne in Australia and is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Melbourne.Eric's research work focuses on understanding the dynamics of interpersonal networks and their consequences for individuals (such as creativity or burnout). His research work has been published in peer-reviewed international journals in Management, Psychology, and Sociology, Eric has taught and teaches courses related to organizational behavior, organizational theory, social networks theory and methods, and change leadership. 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 a time of deep national division, former Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams invites us to explore how Abraham Lincoln’s timeless leadership can inspire unity in today’s polarized America. Drawing from Lincoln’s perseverance, pragmatism, and profound moral clarity, Justice Williams reflects on how the 16th president guided a fractured nation through its darkest hour—and how, by pursuing civil peace grounded in empathy, sacrifice, and unwavering purpose, we too can remain ONE nation. As we face modern divides over issues like immigration, voting rights, and economic inequality, Justice Williams challenges us to rediscover Lincoln’s call to our better angels—to embrace civility, find common ground, and reunite a nation strong enough to last 10,000 years. Frank J. Williams is the former Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He was appointed by Governor Lincoln Almond and unanimously confirmed by the state legislature in January 2001, after serving for five years as Associate Justice of the Superior Court.On December 30, 2003, the President of the United States, through the Secretary of Defense, invited Chief Justice Williams to be a member of the then Military Commissions Review Panel for tribunals to be held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with the rank of Major General. The Military Commissions Act of 2006 created the Court of Military Commission Review on which Williams serves as Chief Judge.Chief Justice Williams is also one of the nation’s leading authorities on the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, and one of the country’s most renowned Lincoln collectors, having amassed an unsurpassed private library and archive that ranks among the nation’s largest and finest. In addition, for more than twenty years he has been widely acknowledged as the foremost leader of America’s Lincoln fraternity – the large, nationwide community of Lincoln historians, students, and enthusiasts. 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

Chicano artist and author Rick Cortez challenges how history is written, preserved, and shared. Through the lens of lowrider culture in San Jose, Cortez draws a bold comparison between the rise of Silicon Valley’s tech giants and the equally transformative movement happening in the streets; lowriding. Highlighting the importance of storytelling, representation, and cultural preservation, Cortez unpacks how communities like his have shaped innovation in ways often overlooked. His talk is a call to action: to honor lived experiences and reclaim narratives. Ricardo doesn’t just live in San Jose—he embodies it. With roots dating back to the 1930s, his family has witnessed his hometown evolve from orchards to a global innovation hub, fueling his passion for preserving its history. A Chicano artist with degrees from Santa Clara University and SJSU, Ricardo blends technology, sculpture, and storytelling to honor heritage while shaping the future. As Creative Director at the Miller Center for Global Impact, he applies his artistic vision to drive change. His nationally recognized work, ABCs of Lowriding and lowriderfever.com, cements him as a lowrider culture steward. With nearly two decades in public service, he balances creative vision and execution, ensuring community stories aren’t just told but lived. His art explores how people reclaim space post-pandemic, championing cultural preservation. Living in San Jose with his wife and daughter, he is on a mission to amplify the city’s voices—ensuring its spirit is celebrated for generations. 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

Author and professor Jeremy Wallace addresses the evolving crisis of modern masculinity and its impact on men, boys, and society at large. Drawing from his own experiences as a father and professor, Wallace challenges the narrative that men are simply being left behind, instead, he argues, many are refusing to grow with the times. He explores historical models of manhood and the lessons they offer for today with the talk culminating in a heartfelt letter to his young son, offering a blueprint for becoming a 21st century man grounded in equity, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Jeramy Wallace is a Professor of English at College of San Mateo (CSM) in San Mateo, CA. He has served in a variety of leadership roles, including as president of the CSM and SMCCCD Academic Senates and as a coordinator for the CSM Umoja Community.Jeramy has written and presented widely on race, educational equity, and social justice in community colleges, and he is co-author of the books Minding the Obligation Gap in Community Colleges and Beyond: Theory and Practice in Achieving Educational Equity (2020, Peter Lang) and The White Educators Guide to Equity: Teaching for Justice in Community Colleges (2023, Peter Lang) and is the author and editor of The People’s Stories: Critical; Storytelling for Social Justice. Jeramy’s teaching and research focus on the power of critical storytelling in empowering minoritized community college students and in resisting the racialized, gendered, and classed misconceptions and assumptions about the community college by the larger society. 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