Hiring Sex Workers is Good For Business and Great For Our Future. Shane Lukas invites organizational leaders and society as a whole to understand the definition and rethink the stigma around sex work. He challenges us to imagine the benefits that come with extending compassion and empathy while acknowledging the endless skills and competencies that are often provided by former sex workers and overlooked in organizations. Lukas combines an award-winning design career with a life of grassroots activism. He leads the team at A Great Idea, a brand communications firm serving mission-driven partners. His writing has appeared in many books about sex work, and he has spoken internationally about harm reduction for men in the sex industry. He was recently featured in GDUSA’s “Designers for Good.”“Stigma stops businesses from seeing what’s possible.” 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

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts are in trouble. DEI is collapsing under the nationwide efforts to squelch it. The workplace and marketplace demands we do better, and it's up to Allies. Sean Leavitt, CEO of Maclens Inclusive Leadership, brings 30+ years of inclusive business leadership and 20 years as a certified Diversity practitioner. He develops inclusive leadership skills for mid-to-senior-level executives, helping them see, respect, and leverage diversity as a competitive advantage. Sean’s unique perspective as a white male allows him to bridge gaps and advocate for increasing white male involvement in DEI initiatives. His holistic offerings are tailored to drive sustainable culture change aligned with an organization’s mission and strategic objectives.“See, respect, leverage diversity. To reform DEI, white men have a key role in driving inclusion.” 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

Becoming "bully proof" for life-long happiness. Life will never be bully free but we can make ourselves bully proof. When we do that we unlock a lifetime of confidence and humility. Born with a severe birth defect and speech impediment Kevin experienced extreme bullying as a child. As an adult he became a school teacher, professional athlete, Hollywood stuntman, business owner, author, and speaker. He has worked on some of the biggest movies in the world including 10 Marvel films in his time in Hollywood. He accredits his many successes in life to the mentality and habits he formed as a child and is outlined in his best selling book, “Falling Down to Find Myself.”“One thought and a few habits can change your life.” 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

Born with a severely profound hearing loss, and outfitted with hearing aids at 2 years old, it became apparent at an early age that life would be anything but ordinary for Matthew Maxey who founded DEAFinitely Dope in 2014. DEAFinitely Dope started as an idea based on providing support to those that felt marginalized and ignored by mainstream America and slowly blossomed into a movement, attracting the likes of educational institutions nationwide, CNN, ESPN, GQ, ABC news, Chance The Rapper, and countless more! With both hearing and deaf partnerships in play, Matt strives to continue to break barriers and defy the norms with a fresh perspective on interaction, inclusion, accessibility, and equality, as awareness continues to grow! Born with a severely profound hearing loss, and outfitted with hearing aids at 2 years old, it became apparent at an early age that life would be anything but ordinary for Matthew Maxey who founded DEAFinitely Dope in 2014. DEAFinitely Dope started as an idea based on providing support to those that felt marginalized and ignored by mainstream America and slowly blossomed into a movement, attracting the likes of educational institutions nationwide, CNN, ESPN, GQ, ABC news, Chance The Rapper, and countless more! With both hearing and deaf partnerships in play, Matt strives to continue to break barriers and defy the norms with a fresh perspective on interaction, inclusion, accessibility, and equality, as awareness continues to grow!“Too hearing for the deaf world and too deaf for the hearing world, but a true community loves you regardless of your ability.” 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 the age of AI, fostering self-awareness, proprioception, and critical thinking is crucial for personal growth and building a more harmonious world. Harvey Singh, CEO and founder of Instancy, brings over three decades of experience to pioneering AI-Agent Learning and Learning Ecosystems. As a seasoned entrepreneur in the EdTech industry, he develops generative AI systems to personalize learning for global corporations and educational institutions. Harvey is passionate about leveraging technological and human psychological revolutions to empower individuals to develop their full human potential and create a harmonious society. He holds a Master’s in Computer Science and Education from Stanford and started his career at Apple’s ACOT project.“Amid the AI revolution, humanity needs wisdom through self-reflection to create a harmonious future.” 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

Ilias Tayarth explores the connection between personal growth and strategic thinking. As a social media strategist, he reveals how marketing principles can help individuals tell their stories, expand their influence, and achieve meaningful goals. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx. Ilias is a social media strategist who builds strong personal brands. He helps others use social platforms wisely to tell their stories, grow their influence, and achieve their goals with a creative touch. 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