How a chocolate bar shows love | Deana Jamerson | TEDxEast Cordova Street
"How a chocolate bar shows love" asks viewers to consider how they treat those who live on the streets. Do we pretend they are invisible, or do we offer what support we can? Jamerson reflects on how giving back to the most vulnerable members of your community, even if all you can give is a chocolate bar, helps to make them feel seen and loved. Deana lived through over 20 years of addiction, but despite all of the hardships she faced there was never a lack of community or a shortage of people who loved and cared for her. She met her husband on the Downtown Eastside and they found sobriety and healing and have been together for 22 years. While living on the Downtown Eastside, she also found her older brother, whom she had not previously known and currently remains close with. He also lives and works on the Downtown Eastside helping their sisters and brothers. Her journey through addiction has led her from Edmonton to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, home to her mother on the Gitanmaax Band reserve, and finally to Surrey where she resides with her husband. Throughout her life she dreamed of marriage and family and can now proudly say all her dreams have come true. Deana celebrated 20 years of sobriety in May and continues to work with her husband to help their friends from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside recover from addiction. 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
More from TED
- 15:35How movement can transform fear into freedom | Arianna Economou | TEDxEleftheriaSquareHave you ever wondered how movement can transform fear into freedom? Arianna Economou, a dancer and artist from Cyprus, shares her journey of personal and artistic transformation through dance and creativity. She recounts her experiences during the 1974 invasion of Cyprus and how dance helped her cross from fear to freedom, using her body as a vessel to express what words could not. Economou's talk is a testament to the power of creativity as a bridge – not just between people, but between our conscious and unconscious selves. She encourages us to see every challenge as an opportunity to "polish the stone of self," transforming it into something precious and authentic.0:10 - Introduction 0:28 - Movement concept of connection 1:02 - Bridge as a reflection of a dancer, artist, woman 2:35 - Body & mind connection that helps to tell the stories 3:40 - Dance that connects fear and freedom 3:54 - 1974 Invasion of Cyprus through creativity 4:34 - Personal Arianna Economou challenge of bridging the gap 6:33 - Creativity is the bridge to our internal world 07:24 - Polishing the creativity 8:02 - Dance House of Nicosia that connects the new generation of artists 09:09 - Art and love arches of Arianna Economou 11:28 - Creative projects of Arianna Economou 12:21 - Conclusion Arianna Economou is a dance artist and dance activist. She brought modern dance to Cyprus in the 80s, co-founded the Dance House Lefkosia and was its director for more than ten years. Festival Director of the NO_ BODY Movement/Dance Performance Arts Festival since 2008. 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
- 14:54The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Pageantry | Pauline Amelinckx | TEDxLanangAvePauline Amelinckx explores the world of pageantry as a platform for empowerment. The history of Philippine pageantry is rooted in colonialism and objectification, which has gradually evolved to a platform for social issues and change. In her journey as a beauty queen, she had to overcome intense scrutiny and judgment from the outside through gaining strength through self-discovery and self-love. Pauline Amelinckx stands tall as a beauty queen, yet she attributes her achievements to the unwavering support and influence of her mother. As she took her final walk as The Miss Philippines, her voiceover echoed a heartfelt sentiment: "Dedication made this dream come true." 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
- 11:50Regionalism on Social Media | Chito Samontina | TEDxLanangAveDo hidden barriers to breaking out on Philippine social media exist? Chito Samontina shares his experiences with the language barrier he faced starting off as a content creator. He gives insight into the unique characteristics of Bisaya and his journey to creating a deeper love for this language. Starting as an internet sensation in 2016, Chito Samontina, also known as Kol Chito, posted Bisaya parodies that gained him a following on social media. His evident dedication and creativity earned Chito the title of Asia's Best Bisaya Talk Show Host at the Asia Pacific Luminare Awards 2023 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
- 12:53Generación Cobaya: protejamos nuestra atención y salud mental | Roger Casas-Alatriste | TEDxLeonEn esta charla, el productor y escritor Roger Casas-Alatriste explora cómo la tecnología ha transformado nuestra capacidad de atención y nuestras relaciones. Desde el impacto del TDAH en su vida diaria hasta las estrategias de las grandes plataformas para captar nuestra atención, esta reflexión pone el foco en nuestra responsabilidad como la 'Generación Cobaya'. Descubre ideas concretas para navegar el mundo digital con conciencia, proteger nuestra salud mental y construir una relación más sana con la tecnología. Nacido en Toronto, criado en México y curtido en Madrid, Roger Casas-Alatriste es fundador de El Cañonazo Transmedia, empresa líder en España en formatos transmedia, estrategias de branded content y producción de contenidos multiplataforma.Es vicepresidente de Relaciones Internacionales de la Branded Content Marketing Association (BCMA-España), forma parte de la Red de Industrias Creativas RIC Crea y fue director de Industria España de MestizoLab. Además, dirige desde 2012 el podcast "Su Atención, Por Favor" por el que fue incluido en la lista de Forbes 50 Best In Podcasting de España, y ha publicado el libro "Tu Atención, Por Favor" (LID Business Books).Roger es TEDx Speaker y conferenciante internacional, habiendo dado charlas y clases en países como España, México, Argentina, Colombia, Perú, Bolivia y Costa Rica, donde comparte su experiencia en innovación de contenidos y economía de la atención. Bajo su liderazgo, El Cañonazo ha marcado tendencia en el entretenimiento de marca. 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
- 8:49当运动成为一种生活方式后，闪光的你会惊艳登场 | Wei Ai Wei | TEDxShahe Street Salon在生活的舞台上，我们每个人都是故事的主角，而运动可以成为了开启我们自信的钥匙。 它能够治愈我们身心，让一个人变得更加的快乐； 它是对抗命运的武器，让一个人拥有改变的力量； 所以，相信我，运动会释放过往的压力，也会成就一个全新的你。 KOS健身工作室创始人、2019Miss Supranational跨国小姐澳门总冠军 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
- 7:25Capes Don't Enable The User To Fly | Gaurang Gadia | TEDxYouth@NMSGaurang Gadia captivated the audience with a casual, almost conversational monologue that felt less like a speech and more like listening to a close friend spill their journey over a late-night chat.He began where many dreams are born — the school canteen. Amid the chaos of picking drinks and debating who’d pay, he noticed a glaring gap: iced teas without tea, lemonade without real lemons. This casual observation sparked a mission to create healthier, more authentic beverages.Balancing lectures, societies, and events, Gaurang spent evenings learning food science and sourcing ingredients. Friends became taste-testers, as he experimented with honey as a sweetener—long before it was trendy. His big break came at Khan Chacha, an iconic Delhi eatery. Once a place for school hangouts, it became his first distributor, marking a full-circle moment.“Business has highs and lows,” he admitted, emphasizing the importance of acting on ideas—no matter how absurd they seem. At just 19,without prestigious credentials or a business background, Gaurang dared to try. His passion, he stressed, outweighed external validation.His lessons went beyond entrepreneurship. Gaurang highlighted valuing friendships, upskilling, and pursuing projects for passion, not just résumés. When asked about competitors, his humility shone through: “It’s good more people are creating organic products. I can’t handle the entire food industry myself.”Gaurang’s story was more than business—it was about small beginnings and the courage to believe. From backbench chats to distributing his first product, he inspired attendees to act on their wildest ideas. Whether a drink recipe, side hustle, or dream buried in notebooks, he left them with one unshakable message:"Act. The world is shaped by those who dare to try." Gaurang Gadis is the founder of FOMO Brews, a unique iced tea brand featured on Shark Tank, he’s committed to delivering authentic, unadulterated recipes crafted in-house, with ingredients sourced directly from India’s hinterlands. His leadership extends beyond his venture; as the President of the Entrepreneurial Cell at Hansraj College, he spearheaded initiatives to cultivate innovation and business acumen among peers. Additionally, he served as the lead organiser for TEDx Hansraj College, bringing thought-provoking discussions to the campus. A skilled orator with a deep understanding of economics, he delivers insight and clarity to complex topics. His athletic background as a cricketer who trained with the Rajasthan Royals further reflects his dedication, discipline, and teamwork—qualities he leverages in his entrepreneurial journey. His multifaceted experiences continue to fuel his ambition to make a positive mark in both business and society. 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
