What if land acknowledgements could grow into something living, rooted, and real? In this collaborative talk, Ruth Burke and Dr. Shannon Epplett share the story of Sunset on the Longest Day, a performance and land art project that honors Indigenous history and enacts healing through domestic rewilding, native plants, and interspecies collaboration. The work challenges performative gestures by creating a long-term, community-driven commitment to restoration, memory, and belonging. Through oxen-powered earthworks, Native storytelling, and ecological art, this project invites all of us to remember, to act, and to root ourselves in deeper relationship—with the land and each other. Dr. Shannon Epplett teaches Indigenous literature, film, and popular culture courses at Illinois State University. He received his Ph.D. from University of Illinois. He is a theatre director and deviser, as well as dramaturg for Rosy Simas Danse, a Native-led modern dance company in Minneapolis.Ruth K. Burke is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who collaborates with animals, plants, and land in her creative practice. She makes land art, moving image, performance, and installations to engage ideas around multispecies histories, land use, interspecies kinship, and settler colonialism. 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 key to stronger, more resilient communities isn’t a billion-dollar project, but a small act—done today, by someone like you? In this inspiring talk, high school teacher and community advocate Noah Tang argues that real change begins with “thinking small.” From filling housing gaps to picking up trash, from rebuilding a neighbor’s porch to launching local food ventures, he shares how grassroots actions can solve real problems when mega-projects fall short. Drawing from the Strong Towns movement, he shows how everyday people can shape the places they live—through observation, action, and repetition. I am a high school social studies teacher and community organizer who focuses on bottom-up solutions to crises facing our community and its built environment. As the President of the Bloomington Revivalists: Strong Towns BloNo, we have focused our efforts on rebuilding neighborhood bonds, picking up trash, showing the importance of the traditional downtown built form, and fostering better pedestrian connections with public art. 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 cancer care wasn’t confined to labs and academic hospitals, but woven into the fabric of our neighborhoods? In this heartfelt and thought-provoking talk, cancer researcher Dr. Kimberly Ku shares how a personal loss transformed helplessness into a commitment to community-based care. Blending science, storytelling, and the soul of a child artist, they challenge the hierarchy of knowledge and remind us that research is human, healing is relational, and imagination belongs in medicine. This talk is a call to action for more collaborative, creative, and compassionate approaches to health—and a celebration of the communities that care deeply and act boldly. In addition to current bio please add the following: Kim is also a participant of the highly prestigious and competitive American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Leadership Development Program 2025-2026 in a year-long program where a select group of oncologists will learn and practice advanced leadership skills, as well as presenting their strategic competencies for the ASCO Board of Directors, who are tasked to help bring up the next generations of leaders in the field of Medical Oncology. 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

Hooked on achievement and driven by hustle culture, a former athlete and academic overachiever shares how burnout and illness forced her to redefine success. In this powerful talk, clinical psychologist Dr. Rebecca Hubbard traces her journey from the basketball court to private practice, motherhood, and healing. Through the lens of identity and social conditioning, she reveals how cultural messages around work and worth can trap us in cycles of overwork—even in the name of self-care. Her message is clear: rest and joy are not luxuries or rewards—they are human needs. It’s time to unlearn hustle and reconnect with who we are beyond what we produce. Dr. Rebecca Hubbard is a licensed clinical psychologist, yoga instructor, former student athlete, and recovering perfectionist. She has been on her own wellness journey since she was a teenager and uses her personal experience and professional training to co-create spaces for healing and growth in her Chicago-based private practice. 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 path to self-discovery, joy, and balance started on a basketball court? In this vibrant and reflective talk, recreation and kinesiology expert Amber Collins shares how a childhood moment of play sparked a lifelong passion for movement, nature, and community. Exploring the science of biophilia and the importance of “third spaces,” they challenge our culture of hyper-productivity and burnout, and invite us to reclaim our connection to nature and each other. Whether designing spaces, hosting community events, or simply stepping outside, this talk reminds us that play is powerful—and that joy, curiosity, and rest are essential acts of resistance. Amber is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of recreation. With a Master’s in Kinesiology & Recreation, she is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for youth to explore diverse recreational experiences through nature, art, and literature—sharing her research through writing to make academic insights more accessible. Her work highlights recreation as a pathway to rest, growth, and social change. This passion also led her to found Recreate, an initiative dedicated to expanding recreational access for youth. She is also a published author in the National Recreation and Park Association Magazine 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

Returning to the workforce after parenting can feel overwhelming—especially for introverts or those navigating career transitions. In this warm, practical talk, Shanika Green introduces her "Plus One" method of networking: a simple, human-centered approach to building genuine connections one conversation at a time. With a blend of humor, reflection, and encouragement, she guides viewers through setting goals, identifying strengths, and making networking less intimidating and more meaningful. Whether you're a stay-at-home parent, career-shifter, or reluctant networker, this talk reminds us that personal growth often starts with just one brave “hello.” “Currently serving as a Career Curriculum Development Advisor at Illinois State University, Shanika considers herself a champion of people. Prior to her current role, she served as Career Navigator Workforce Equity Initiative and Coordinator of Operations in continuing education at Heartland Community College. In addition she owns her own company teaching career readiness, professional development and helping moms transition back into the workforce. Shanika has a background in building processes and creating procedures. Her career spans several industries including banking, healthcare, social service, and claims. She is passionate about helping others learn the “expertise and leadership strategies they need to succeed in any industry they choose.” Shanika earned her Health Services Administration from Lincoln College and a Master of Business Administration-Project Management at Capella University. She also served as the Vice President of Education for Toastmasters. 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