Dr. Nguyen “Tom” Griggs almost had a physical confrontation with a stranger while running a routine errand. Tom found an assertive and respectful approach to de-escalate, while not using the physical aspects of his martial arts skills. In his talk, he shares insights on how reflection, inquiry and empathy can help us positively address adversity and challenge. Mixing humor and insightful stories, Tom combines academic and personal elements to create an engaging and memorable talk on personal resilience. Dr. Nguyen “Tom” Griggs is a high content trainer and speaker with a rich, motivational style. Tom works with organizations to create black belt teams that overcome stress and cultivate cultures of success. His background in martial arts, adult learning and education have shaped his unique style of facilitation. Tom's uses movement, role-play, game theory and participant led activities to create engaging, impactful & applicable takeaways. Dr. Griggs lives by his belief that learning won't always be easy, but it can still be enjoyable. He owns Lead Connect Grow LLC and is a senior instructor at TnT Jujitsu in Houston, TX. You can learn more and connect with Tom at www.ntgriggs.com where he will challenge you to Find Your Inner Black Belt™ 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 a teenager, Farzana Mursal Alizada navigated two identities. This experience gave her a unique understanding of the freedoms and privileges that come with being a boy, while also deeply feeling the limitations placed on girls. This journey shaped her perspective on gender, freedom, and self-worth. It wasn’t easy—facing challenges —but she discovered that the power to lead her life was always within her. By trusting herself and making decisions, she reclaimed her true identity and found strength in her own choices. Farzana Mursal Alizada is an expert in human rights, gender equality, and community development, with years of experience working across diverse sectors. Her work primarily focuses on supporting marginalized groups, particularly women and refugees, by advocating for their inclusion and empowerment. She has been involved in research and advisory roles, addressing the needs of individuals affected by conflict and disability, and facilitating their integration into society. Throughout her career, she has contributed to projects that bridge cultural and linguistic divides, helping migrants navigate complex systems and access essential resources. She is deeply committed to fostering sustainable development, advocating for gender equality, and promoting the rights of vulnerable populations. Her experience spans international organizations and governmental sectors, where she has played a crucial role in advancing social justice and community engagement. Mursal has been a dedicated advocate for these causes since 2013, working to create more inclusive and equitable environments. 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

Children today spend around 15 hours a week gaming online—plus more time consuming content across the Internet. As a mom of two and a cybersecurity expert, Arthi Vasudevan believes that teaching kids simple habits—like setting strong passphrases, protecting personal info, practicing social media safety, and role-modeling good digital behavior—can empower them to be ethical digital citizens. Through her best selling book series "Cyberama", online game, and interactive workshops, Arthi has educated over 3,500 students, parents, and educators globally on internet safety and social media awareness. https://cyberama.org/Resources/ Arthi Vasudevan is a technology leader and cybersecurity professional with 16 years of experience, mom, author, and speaker. Through her first book, Cyberama, its accompanying online game, and related interactive workshops, she has educated over 3,500 students, parents, and educators on internet safety and social media awareness. https://cyberama.org/Resources/ Arthi holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, and an MBA from Rice University. She is the recipient of multiple awards including Houston Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business”, Empowering Women in Industry, and ALLY Energy’s GRIT awards. In addition to regularly speaking at industry conferences and CxO roundtables on cybersecurity, Arthi is also passionate about promoting STEM in young students and leading Diversity, Equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. 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

AI offers unprecedented promise in education—personalized tutoring, universal access, and tailored learning—but it also brings risks of misinformation, bias, and outright falsehoods. In this compelling TEDx talk, a seasoned tech and education leader explores a looming crisis: without prioritizing accuracy and truth, we risk creating tools we can’t trust. What happens when our students replace reliable sources of knowledge—trained educators, vetted textbooks, and professional librarians—with tools that may not be fact-based? Jim Chilton is a technology executive with a passion for driving growth and transformation. As the executive vice president and Group CTO at Cengage Group, he leads the innovation efforts and ensures that the Group Technology organization aligns with the company's vision. His role encompasses overseeing product engineering, artificial intelligence programs, internal business systems, cloud computing and cybersecurity. He is deeply committed to giving back to the industry and community and serves as an advisor and board members for several organizations. Chilton received the 2020 Inspire CIO of the Year/Boston ORBIE award and has been a finalist for the National Inspire CIO of the Year ORBIE Award in 2023 and 2024. He’s also been a multi-year recipient of the Apprenti Industry award and HMG Global Leadership award. 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 does it mean to be "camera ready"—not just in appearance, but in purpose and perseverance? In this inspiring and deeply personal talk, Nancy Darlene Crawford shares how a childhood dream, a grandmother’s wisdom, and a chance encounter with Robin Roberts set the foundation for a midlife career transformation. From teenage motherhood and career detours to walking into the studios of Good Morning America, Nancy’s story is a blueprint for anyone who wonders if it's too late to follow their passion. It’s not. Nancy Darlene Crawford is a 58-year-old Black woman, who made a midlife career change after working in finance for more than a decade. She decided to pursue the role she’s wanted since she was 8-years-old — to become a broadcast journalist. Returning to school in 2020 at Southern New Hampshire University, Crawford was featured on Good Morning America with Robin Roberts in a segment focused on her life and intended career change. She was soon offered an internship with the local ABC station in New York, WABC7, which eventually led to an internship with ABC News, this time with Good Morning America — and she made the decision to walk away from her successful finance career. She graduated in November 2024 with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and she’s focused on landing a new role in journalism. 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 your favorite childhood toy could define your place in the world—or your exclusion from it? Scott Cloutier explores the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face and how modern community centers can help overcome them. From being subject to exclusion to leading an inclusive nonprofit, Cloutier identifies how technology, AI, and collective action can help build a world where everyone belongs. With more than a dozen years of experience as a marketing and technology expert, Scott Cloutier currently serves as the senior marketing automation architect at Southern New Hampshire University, where he leads innovative marketing technology, automation and integration strategies to enhance student experience, engagement and persistence. An alumnus of Southern New Hampshire University, Cloutier holds both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Marketing from SNHU. In addition to his professional role, he has dedicated the past five years to leading and serving as the president and chair of the board for Manchester True Collaborative, a volunteer-based organization developing into a 501(c)3 and Manchester, New Hampshire's first LGBTQIA+ center. Known for his leadership, technological expertise and passion for fostering collaboration, Cloutier excels in creating impact across corporate and nonprofit sectors. 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