Michael Bezabeh shares how being isolated as an immigrant can be devastating, and how the strength and consistency of communities can get the most vulnerable members through the toughest of times. Michael Bezabeh's journey is one of resilience and redemption. Born in Harar, Ethiopia, Michael faced cultural displacement early in life, moving to Addis Ababa and later migrating across continents in search of stability. Settling in Vancouver, his life took an unexpected turn when he fell into addiction, leading to years of struggle and hardship in the Downtown East side. Despite countless setbacks, Michael found strength in family and faith, supported by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church during his darkest times. After years of perseverance and the unwavering support of his loved ones, Michael emerged from his addiction. Today, he works as a security guard, contributing to his community and finding strength in his faith and community. His journey from addiction to recovery underscores the power of resilience, family, and community support. 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

Featured songs: Lay Me Low; Revery; Head On A Plate Abe Houck is singer/songwriter and musician based in Chattanooga Tennessee. Over the years playing in bands and solo projects his music has spanned styles and genre’s from folk, garage rock, post punk and country. Abe’s upbringing was a peripatetic one, born in Iowa, grew up in the Midwest, South Africa and Texas, he came to Chattanooga in 2009. He is currently working on a debut solo album to be released in 2025. 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

Featured songs: R&R; Little Alien Tigress of the Sun The phrase "breath of fresh air" is used often in music, but it truly captures the essence of LVNDR. She's a neo soul singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee. It's only a matter of time before the world is her stage, though. After she sings a few short bars, the stark contrast between LVNDR's cyberpunk look and velvety voice seems to dissolve. She proves that these elements are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they're pieces of a much bigger vision she's bringing to life.Her debut EP Five-Letter Word offers a glimpse of what's to come, fusing spontaneous ideas refined during improv sessions into five cohesive permutations of her vibrant sound. She wants nothing more than to inspire authentic expression in as many music lovers as possible. It's safe to say LVNDR has found her voice but by no means is she finished evolving as an artist. 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

Featured songs: Guilt a Killer; Trials; Big Love Ahead Born in Mon Rovîa, Liberia but now based in Chattanooga, TN, his early life can be summed up by being born into a civil war, escaping the life of a child soldier, then being rescued by missionaries. He spent his developmental years living in a variety of places ultimately granting him a variety of life experiences. Layered on top of that are his feelings being a transracially adopted refugee. His music is a culmination of all of these experiences blended with the empathy he feels for others. Truly, the mission of his music is to heal with others—with every nation and tongue, in due time. 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

Μικρός πίστευα ότι επιτυχία είναι να κατακτάς μετάλλια με κάθε κόστος και ότι την είχα κατακτήσει.Όταν ήρθε η κόρη μου στην ζωή και διαγνώστηκε με αυτισμό, μου είπε με τον τρόπο της, ότι επιτυχία είναι να βοηθάς τους ανθρώπους να πιάνουν το ταβάνι τους, ακόμα και αν αυτό δεν αντιστοιχεί σε μετάλλιο. Μου είπε ότι επιτυχία δεν είναι να θαυμάζουν εμένα, αλλά να ξεκινήσουν να θαυμάζουν τον εαυτό τους.Και τα κατάφερε. Κάναμε την αδυναμία δύναμη και συμπαρασύραμε χιλιάδες ανθρώπους. He was born on 7/2/77 in Athens. He started his professional athletic career at the age of 15, where he also received his first paycheck. He would take two buses and a train daily to get to his training sessions from his family home in Ilio, to Patissia and Sporting. At 16, he won the European children’s championship with the National Team. At 18, he won the World Junior Championship and that same summer transferred to Olympiacos. He spent a total of 3 years at Sporting, 7 years at Olympiacos, 1 year at Makedonikos, 4 years at Panathinaikos, 2 years at AEK, 1 year at Panionios, and 1 year at Peristeri.Apart from being a European children’s champion and world junior champion, he is a 2-time Olympian with the national men’s team, 7-time Greek champion, 6-time Greek Cup winner, 2-time European club champion with Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, and the only Greek basketball player to achieve a triple crown with Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, meaning winning the championship, cup, and European title in the same season. After retiring, he was awarded by the Panhellenic Association of Sports Press for his ethics throughout his career.In the last 2 years, he has been dedicated to raising awareness about autism, mainly due to his daughter, but also speaking about self-improvement, athleticism, and teamwork, and how he utilized these experiences from sports to turn what society perceived as a disadvantage into an advantage and help thousands of people facing similar 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

Featured songs: Bone; To Watch the World; Crooked the Road Born in Mon Rovîa, Liberia but now based in Chattanooga, TN, his early life can be summed up by being born into a civil war, escaping the life of a child soldier, then being rescued by missionaries. He spent his developmental years living in a variety of places ultimately granting him a variety of life experiences. Layered on top of that are his feelings being a transracially adopted refugee. His music is a culmination of all of these experiences blended with the empathy he feels for others. Truly, the mission of his music is to heal with others—with every nation and tongue, in due time. 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