Your Power is in Your Story | Erica Alfaro | TEDxMcphs
In this inspiring talk, award-winning author, keynote speaker, and education advocate Erica Alfaro shares her powerful journey of resilience, determination, and transformation. Best known for her viral 2019 graduation photos that captivated global audiences, Erica overcame immense adversity to become the first woman in her family to earn a college degree. Her story has been featured by CNN, The Huffington Post, Yahoo News, and more. Through “Your Power Is in Your Story,” Erica reflects on how education became her pathway out of poverty and a catalyst for exponential personal and professional growth. Her journey underscores the power of storytelling, perseverance, and embracing one’s roots as a source of strength and purpose.
Erica Alfaro was born in Fresno, CA but grew up in Tijuana, Mexico. She was 13 years old when her family returned to the United States. Erica struggled academically, became a teen mom, dropped out of high school, and lived many years of domestic abuse. After many adversities, Erica defied the odds and became the first woman in her family to obtain a formal education and a graduate degree. Education was Erica’s ticket out of poverty and the door to many opportunities.In 2019, Erica’s graduation picture, where she is standing in a strawberry field with her farmworker parents, became the first graduation picture to go viral and make headlines worldwide. 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
More from TED
- 12:20Self-comparison | Ahmadxo’ja Abrorhajaev | TEDxTSUOS"Self-Comparison: A Speech That Will Change How You See Yourself | Ahmadxo’ja AbrorhajaevIn this inspiring speech, 17-year-old Ahmadxo’ja Abrorhajaev dives deep into the topic of self-comparison—a struggle many of us silently face. Reflecting on young, successful figures like Gabriel Iglesias, Malala Yousafzai, and Aelita Andre, he questions his own progress and self-worth, just like many teens and adults do. But instead of staying in self-doubt, he challenges the idea that we must measure our worth through others. With honesty, humor, and powerful reflections, Ahmadxo‘ja explores why self-comparison can be so harmful—and how we can rise above it by focusing on our own growth, struggles, and unique path. A must-watch for anyone battling with self-doubt or feeling behind in life. Abrorhajaev Ahmadxo’ja is a passionate young speaker known for his thought-provoking reflections on self-worth and personal growth. At just 17, he inspires others by openly discussing challenges like self-comparison, pressure from society, and the journey to self-acceptance. He encourages others to focus on inner progress rather than outside expectations. 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
- 21:14roads are our lifeline | akhilesh shrivastava | TEDxIILMHe discusses why roads are essential lifeline for the economy and how simple rules can make life much better for people who are travelling He is the Chairman ITS India , and road safety ambassador india 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
- 6:42Piano Performance | Alexei Diverinskiy | TEDxBASIS Hangzhou YouthAlexei Diverinskiy performs two stunning classical piano pieces:1. Tchaikovsky - Intermezzo; 2. Rachmaninoff - Musical Moment in D-flat Major, Op. 16 No. 5.Experience the depth and emotion of these masterpieces through Alexei's exceptional interpretation. #ClassicalPiano #Tchaikovsky #Rachmaninoff #PianoMusic #AlexeiDiverinskiy Alexi Diverinskiy is a professional pianist from Russia. He graduated from Niznhiny Novgorod conservatory named after Glinka in 2015 with master degree in the class of honored professor Barakin Yurii. He had cooperation with honored musicians , conductors, singers and directors. He has been performing all around cities of China. In 2018 he got a prize as a best piano instructor at “Urkunde piano competition Germany. He was a judge of Hannover Gieseking international piano competition. He was a judge of Liszt international Piano competition. He was judging at Seiler international piano competition. His students became a winners of very prestigious music competitions such as International Chopin piano competition, and others. 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
- 11:07The Power of Naive Optimism | Noah Kouhoupt | TEDxRowan UniversityIn his TEDx talk, Noah Kouhoupt highlights naive optimism as a powerful driver of innovation. Through stories of Walt Disney, the Wright Brothers, and others, he shows how those labeled as unrealistic or foolish often go on to reshape the world. These dreamers succeed because they act without fear, stay curious, and imagine possibilities others overlook. His message: don’t let “realism” dim your vision—protect your flame of hope, because the people crazy enough to believe they can change the world are usually the ones who do. Blending engineering precision with creative vision, Noah Kouhoupt leads Atlantic Media Company with a focus on strategic growth and measurable impact. His cross-disciplinary expertise transforms complex challenges into thoughtful, effective solutions that drive real results. 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
- 14:36The power of play for better leadership | Rachel Supalla | TEDxParklandIn a world overwhelmed by burnout, pressure, and disconnection, Rachel Supalla reveals the game-changing truth: play is the antidote. It’s not childish—it’s human, and science backs it up.In this TEDx talk, Rachel takes us on a journey from skepticism to transformation, showing how leading with play—creativity, empathy, and joy—unlocks connection, collaboration, and innovation. Through her real-world experience, including a transformative moment in Utah, she demonstrates how workplaces that embrace play outperform those that don’t. The best part? You don’t need a research paper to see the magic—just ask the teams who thrived through play. When you lead with permission instead of pressure, the result isn’t just compliance; it’s transformation.Rachel’s story proves that leadership isn’t about control; it’s about connection. Get ready to rethink leadership and discover how embracing play can create a culture of joy, freedom, and creativity. Because the power to lead comes from the permission to play.Are you ready to unlock your leadership magic? Rachel Supalla, M.Ed. is known for disrupting traditional leadership with her signature Playful Leadership framework. As the founder and CEO of Discovery Kidzone Montessori, she scaled a home-based childcare program into a multimillion-dollar, multi-state company with 10 thriving schools.Now, as the author of The Playful Leader’s Toolkit: Creating a Legacy of Joy and Magic in Ruby Slippers, Rachel empowers leaders to build team-led cultures rooted in empathy, creativity, and sustainable impact. Her M.A.G.I.C. framework—Mindset, Assessment, Grounding, Influence, and Clarity—replaces burnout and bottlenecks with boldness and brilliance.A former underestimated student with ADHD and dyslexia, Rachel knows firsthand the power of rewriting your own leadership story. Through her work, she invites every leader to stop playing small and start leading with joy—because permission to play is power to lead. 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
- 17:15Failure Was The Best Thing to Happen to Me | Lori Rogers | TEDxParklandWhat if the very thing we run from—failure—is the key to unlocking our greatest breakthroughs? In this compelling TEDx talk, Lori Rogers, also known as Chef Lorious, shares how personal and relational failures became the unexpected catalyst for transformation in her life.With vulnerability, humor, and deep insight, Lori walks us through her journey—failed relationships, missed opportunities, and the painful patterns that forced her to stop, reflect, and rewrite her life’s narrative. Rather than breaking her, failure gave her vision. It gave her language. It gave her the courage to build something real—from the inside out.Lori’s powerful story challenges the notion that failure is something to avoid. Instead, she reframes it as a teacher, a mirror, and a sacred invitation to discover who we truly are.As a culinary entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of the women’s ministry Imperfect Good Girls, Lori blends her passion for food, faith, and storytelling to inspire women to embrace grace over perfection. She is the creator of Jam Vino, a line of gourmet wine-infused jams, and the author of Calibama Cooking: Classic & Contemporary Comfort Food, celebrating her Southern roots and California upbringing.Lori has appeared on national television including Good Morning America, The View and Good Morning Texas, and continues to encourage women to laugh a little, slay a lot, and live with purpose. Lori “Chef Lorious” Rogers is a celebrity chef, cookbook author, and influencer known for her signature "Calibama Cooking," blending California and Alabama flavors. With her warm, down-to-earth style, Chef Lorious has captivated home cooks and professionals alike through her recipes and cooking shows. She is also the creator of Jam Vino, the first wine-infused jam, inspired by her Southern roots and California’s wine country that won a coveted spot in Walmart stores. A sought-after TV personality, Chef Lori has appeared on Good Morning Texas, Good Day DC, Good Day Philadelphia, and GMA among others. Chef Lori Rogers is an accountant by training and an astute businesswoman who loves to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness and let go of the past in order to realize their full potential. 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