The transition to clean, pollution free energy is a dynamic, global undertaking impacting people, politics, and profit. In the United States, the energy transition is driven by political power with the profits of utilities taking the top spot for decision-making priority. In this reality, building an energy economy that provides equitable benefits for all people, especially communities that have carried the most burden, we must explore the political power of the most dependable voting bloc in the nation, Black women. Exploring the intersection of Black women’s political power and the clean energy transition is why Chandra Farley created the good energy project, to connect the transformational power of Black women to the movement for clean energy. Chandra Farley serves as Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Atlanta. Chandra sets direction for the City’s sustainability and resilience goals and leads the interdepartmental, and community-wide, engagement necessary to address the inequitable effects of climate change. Chandra’s is in charge of a comprehensive climate resilience strategy that will address energy insecurity, healthy housing, food systems, waste diversion, building decarbonization, workforce training, while advancing the City’s goal to achieve 100% clean energy for all Atlantans by 2035. Chandra is also developing the strategy to leverage the historic federal investment in clean energy and the Justice40 Initiative to advance these goals through a lens of environmental justice. Chandra founded ReSolve Consulting, an energy justice consulting firm and the “Good Energy Project,” a social space connecting the transformational power of Black Women to the movement for an equitable clean energy economy. 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

Imagine if you were asked to harm your pet in the name of scientific progress. This scenario exposes the contradictions in how we treat other animals: some we cherish as pets, some we consign to the feedlot and others we design for research. Entrenched in scientific tradition, academic culture teaches students to view animal use as a necessary evil for scientific progress. But how much of it is truly necessary? This talk explores the hidden costs of our reliance on animal models—from the emotional distress they cause students and researchers to the missed opportunities in developing alternatives with greater relevance to public health. Emphasising the role of students and the rise of cutting-edge techniques like organoids and organ-on-chips, the talk offers an optimistic vision for a future of research where scientific and medical breakthroughs are achieved without the toll of animal suffering. Caius Gibeily is fascinated by how our brains shape who we are. Now pursuing his PhD at Emory and the Marcus Autism Center, Caius uses neuroimaging and machine-learning techniques to explore the intersection of brain development, behavior, and autism. His scientific journey has taken him from studying locomotor neural circuits in Drosophila at the University of St Andrews, to investigating how serotonin shapes early brain circuits at the University of Oxford, where he gained his masters in neuroscience. There, he also contributed to piloting an organ-on-a-chip model of Parkinson’s disease. 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 2005, musician activist Brad Corrigan (co-founder of the indie band Dispatch & founder of Love Light + Melody) took an unexpected and life changing trip to Nicaragua, where he was introduced to the La Chureca trash dump, and witnessed countless children and families living and working in fiery and smoke-filled trash fields. It was there that Brad met a young girl named Ileana who, despite her circumstances, radiated warmth, joy, and compassion through her laughter and "lightning smile". In this TEDx Berkshires talk, Brad recounts the story of Ileana, the power of her smile, and how this chance encounter changed his life forever. Brad is the Founder and President of Love Light + Melody. Since 2006, LLM has served families on the frontlines of crisis and poverty, primarily in Nicaragua, as well as in Denver, CO and Pine Ridge, SD. Brad is a creative visionary, living a unique and traveled life. He is a member of the indie band Dispatch. A dynamic solo artist and communicator - through film, photography, and music - Brad’s innate kindness touches those around him and inspires hope. Regardless of the medium, he is committed to creating and sharing stories with art that shine light, raise awareness, and inspire action. Brad is director and producer of a documentary film, Ileana’s Smile, releasing December of 2024. 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

Atomic Focus: Hoe ademhaling de sleutel is tot ultieme concentratie." of "The nose is the key" ? In een wereld vol constante prikkels en ruis lijkt focus vaak buiten bereik. Maar wat als de sleutel tot concentratie al in je zit? Atomic Focus draait om de kracht van je ademhaling: klein, eenvoudig en direct beschikbaar. Ademhaling beïnvloedt je hartslag, stressniveau en mentale helderheid. Door bewust en diep te ademen, breng je je brein in een optimale staat van focus. Het is geen complexe techniek, maar een terugkeer naar wat ons als mens kracht geeft: controle over onze adem. Leer hoe kleine aanpassingen in je ademhaling je van afgeleid naar gefocust kunnen brengen, hoe je met elke in- en uitademing ruimte schept in je hoofd, en hoe ademhaling de basis vormt voor alles wat je wilt bereiken. Focus begint met één ademhaling. Wat gebeurt er als je die nu bewust neemt? Atomic Focus: Hoe ademhaling de sleutel is tot ultieme concentratie." of "The nose is the key" ?In een wereld vol constante prikkels en ruis lijkt focus vaak buiten bereik. Maar wat als de sleutel tot concentratie al in je zit? Atomic Focus draait om de kracht van je ademhaling: klein, eenvoudig en direct beschikbaar.Ademhaling beïnvloedt je hartslag, stressniveau en mentale helderheid. Door bewust en diep te ademen, breng je je brein in een optimale staat van focus. Het is geen complexe techniek, maar een terugkeer naar wat ons als mens kracht geeft: controle over onze adem.Leer hoe kleine aanpassingen in je ademhaling je van afgeleid naar gefocust kunnen brengen, hoe je met elke in- en uitademing ruimte schept in je hoofd, en hoe ademhaling de basis vormt voor alles wat je wilt bereiken.Focus begint met één ademhaling. Wat gebeurt er als je die nu bewust neemt? 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

En medio de la tristeza, eligió escuchar a su corazón y encontró en él la fuerza para seguir adelante.La consciencia y el amor propio se convirtieron en su brújula: del duelo nació una nueva forma de vivir con sentido y esperanza. Tiene 17 años y se considera una persona introspectiva. Le encanta meditar, dibujar lo que siente y quiere expresar, así como escribir poemas y compartir momentos con las personas que ama. 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

The world is full of brilliant ideas that never make it past the ‘You know what would be crazy?’-stage. People talk about learning a new skill or starting an exciting project - but most never take the first step. Why? Because turning an idea into reality feels overwhelming. In my talk ‘How to Unleash Wacky Ideas Upon the World’, I break down the creative process using five elements from Frankenstein. Like a mad professor, I’ll show you how to stitch your idea together, bring it to life, and unleash it upon the world. Whether it’s a book, a business, or a bold adventure - the real magic isn’t in having an idea, but in making it real. The world is full of brilliant ideas that never make it past the ‘You know what would be crazy?’-stage. People talk about learning a new skill or starting an exciting project - but most never take the first step. Why? Because turning an idea into reality feels overwhelming.In my talk ‘How to Unleash Wacky Ideas Upon the World’, I break down the creative process using five elements from Frankenstein. Like a mad professor, I’ll show you how to stitch your idea together, bring it to life, and unleash it upon the world. Whether it’s a book, a business, or a bold adventure - the real magic isn’t in having an idea, but in making it real. 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