What does grief teach us about connection? Erica shares how working with cancer patients and navigating personal loss transformed her understanding of empathy, strength, and the human spirit. Through moments of vulnerability and reflection, she reveals how grief can deepen our capacity to listen, care, and connect. Her stories remind us that even in sorrow, a single ripple of compassion can spark healing and bring us closer together. Erica is a 25-year-old student who has been part of the McGill community since 2018. She completed her B.Sc. in Honours Microbiology and Immunology in 2021, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Oncology in 2022. Currently in the final year of her Master of Pathology, Erica was awarded the Canadian Cancer Society Research Training Award in 2023 for her contributions to promoting equity and diversity in cancer research. Beyond her academic pursuits, Erica is passionate about travel, dance, and music. Over the past year, she has explored Asia and Europe, while also immersing herself in salsa lessons and learning the piano. She believes that learning has no age limit and values the courage to embrace new challenges. 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
