Dr. Shaniqua Jones, a restorative justice practitioner and expert, offers a profound look into the lived realities of trauma and the transformative power of healing. Drawing on both scholarship and personal experience, she introduces the 5 Rs of Restorative Justice—Radical Love, Reciprocity, Reimagining Education, Redefining the Village, and Restoring Humanity—as a holistic path toward justice that centers empathy, accountability, and connection. Through this powerful framework, Dr. Jones challenges traditional systems and redefines what it means to build communities rooted in care, dignity, and collective restoration. Dr. Shaniqua Jones is a Global Leader and Restorative Justice Practitioner Expert. She is affectionately known as Dr. J for her brilliant ability to connect deeply with those who have been harmed and have caused harm through Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices. Dr. Jones is a wife and mother of five biological children and an author of 12 awe-inspiring works. When she isn’t impacting lives and transforming communities, you can find Dr. J sporting her favorite gym shoes. 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

While dancers traditionally begin their training at a studio with mirrors and a ballet barre, could dancers learn their biggest life lessons about their authentic selves performing in a parking lot? Motivated to learn dancing based on earning a snow cone when he was four, dancer/educator Brandon Morio Ishikata explores his journey learning Bon Odori (Japanese folk dance) at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center in preparation for the annual Obon (summer dance festival). Through his “love letter” talk, Ishikata explores how learning Bon Odori as a child teaches us about the symbolism/importance of intergenerational connection, cultural acceptance, and instilling the Japanese values of kindness, respect, and love in ALL of us. Brandon Morio Ishikata, M.Ed., CYT serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Illinois Chicago Honors College and a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher. An educator and UIC’s New Academic Advisor of the Year in 2023, Brandon teaches college students Asian Americans in pop culture, yoga/mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ballroom dance through a leadership lens. Through dancing, he studied on a scholarship at the country’s largest social/partner dance studio, May I Have This Dance, was selected to perform at the 100th anniversary of Miss America, and performed two seasons with the four-time Emmy Award winning dance company, The Puzzle League. An advocate for the Asian American voice, Brandon was an inaugural Japanese American Citizens League Kakehashi Project scholar/supervisor, a Japanese American National Museum 30 Under 30 Changemaker, and was featured in the California Museum’s signature exhibit, “Uprooted!”, on the Japanese American WWII story. 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 insurance wasn’t something we feared or misunderstood—but something that truly served us? Olga invites us into a conversation about rethinking an industry long defined by complexity and mistrust. Through her journey as a founder and innovator, she explores how AI and human-centered design can transform insurance into a transparent, intuitive, and empowering experience. Her presentation is not just about technology—it’s about rebuilding systems with empathy, questioning the status quo, and asking what it really means to protect people in a changing world. Olga V. Mack is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and attorney dedicated to harnessing transformative technologies for positive change. Serving as a Lecturer at Berkeley Law, Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT Computational Law Report, Olga strongly advocates for integrating innovative technologies that enhance functionality and accessibility across various domains. With a proven track record as an award-winning general counsel, operations specialist, and tech startup advisor, Olga encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to drive progress and efficiency. Join Olga in her mission to embrace technology for positive change and explore its impact on society, business, and innovation. 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

As technology evolves, how can we ensure it becomes a catalyst for inclusivity rather than a barrier? Marva Bailer delves into the transformative potential of accessible AI in unlocking hidden talent and fostering diverse innovation. Through compelling examples and actionable insights, she reveals how AI can bridge gaps, empower individuals with disabilities, and redefine the possibilities of the workplace. She leads us to discover how accessible AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a revolution shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Marva Bailer is a seasoned expert at the forefront of technology, culture, cybersecurity, and the transformative power of Al. With over two decades of leadership experience at industry giants such as IBM, Amazon, Twilio, and Splunk, alongside ventures in high-growth startups, she's honed a keen understanding of the digital landscape. Her insights, featured in esteemed media outlets including Fox News, NBC, and TMZ, reflect a deep commitment to sharing knowledge and shaping discussions around the intersection of technology and society. As a distinguished contributor, commentator, and sought-after keynote speaker, she continues to inspire and inform audiences with her unparalleled expertise.Marva disrupts the status quo and ignites innovation in every endeavor she undertakes. Recognized as a 2023 Game Changer by Scarlett Abott, Marva is a servant leader driven by purpose and passion. She is the author of "Be Unexpected", a best-selling and top career book in the 2023 National Indie Excellence Awards, underscoring Marva's dedication to fostering curiosity, courage, confidence, and collaboration among leaders. Her current focus is serving on Startup and Non-Profit Boards and advisory. Marva holds a BA from the University of Maryland and an MS from Johns Hopkins University, with recent Executive Education at Harvard University focusing on Business, Competing in the Age of Al. She resides in Charleston, SC, and Atlanta, GA. 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

With 3 out of 4 workers globally not enthusiastic about or committed to their work we are facing an employee engagement crisis. With superintelligence on the horizon how can each of us maximize human potential and advance humanity? Elizabeth Sandler, workplace investor, speaker and creator of The AI Humanist, reveals insights discovered during a week of silence. Elizabeth Sandler is an expert on human performance in the workplace and the creator of The AI Humanist, an ecosystem of thought-leadership and initiatives focused on building an AI-Human partnership that solves the world’s greatest challenges and advances humanity.Elizabeth had a 20-year career as a senior executive in investment banking and private equity, working across four continents leading thousands of people. She left her corporate career in 2018 on a mission to transform workplaces.Elizabeth is now a speaker and advisor to companies across the globe, a corporate and non-profit board director, and in her silent time is a parent, an aspiring superconnector, and a qualified teacher of mindfulness. 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 unusual followup to a 2020 TEDxEustis talk, comedian Tim Cambridge dons an accordian to discover whether the neighbors in his community took his previous talk "Are You a Good Neighbor?" too far and are now becoming the neighbors he can't bear to live near. Through song and comedy, Tim suggests that perhaps it is his neighbor's constant attention - and not him playing his accordian on his backporch for hours - that is causing the rift. In 2004, I began my career in comedy as a promoter and producer of live comedy events. Since touring nationwide with comedians and performing in venues of all sizes, I have found comedy to be a shared experience that brings people together. After 20 years on the event booking and promoting side, I decided to be brave and step in front of the microphone and attempt stand-up comedy. I’m totally addicted. I started on the stage at the Improv in Orlando, Florida for open mic and returned time and time again. Today, I still frequent the open mic now at the Funny Bone in Orlando. I enjoy hosting open mic events in my home town of Eustis, Florida and grabbing coffee with friends to talk about comedy writing ideas. My travels take me across the country hosting the Laugh All Night comedy benefit events and it’s a thrill to perform with other comedians. Today, I’m still on the hunt for the next joke. I love the test, tweak, and repeat process of writing comedy. 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