Chinenye Ozowalu explores the complex intersection between innovation, cultural history, and the fight for equity in a world shaped by past injustices. The concept of nonlinearity—thinking and creating outside rigid, predefined systems—is proposed by Ms. Ozowalu and is essential for breaking free from oppressive narratives. She reflects on their own journey, acknowledging that true innovation comes from empowering individuals to think beyond societal constraints and collaborate to create inclusive, supportive communities. (CREDITS: ASL Interpreter: Nicole Lupinetti; Organizing Team: Myren Bobryk-Ozaki, Ferdinand Jr Virtudes, William Li, Matthew Oley, Kenzo Colon, Melissa Xie; Editors: Bryan Agnello, Myren Bobryk-Ozaki; Lead Video Production: Bryan Agnello; Camera Operators: Chase Powers, Sophi Oliveira, Chase Roman, Julio Cruz Jr, Stacey Washington; Tech Crew: Cam Harrington, Wally Adam, Ben Jacobson, Bek Dillay, Dylan Aguirre; Crew: Mohammed Adnan, Aarushi Sharma, Igor Polotai, Gaby Blanton, Pravina Bhalerao; Designers: Zo Murray (illustration), Erick Wittmann (motion graphics); Photographer: Jack Connolly) Chinenye Ozowalu is a Nigerian-American artist, researcher, and curator who questions current binaries to generate new realities. Through her academic focus in visual media, black studies, and marketing, she explores the breadth of cultural curating as an intervention to post-colonial capitalist systems. This internal search has led her to curatorial and archival research positions at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Visual Studies Workshop, and her current position as the Curator of The RIT Photography Alumni Gallery. In all her projects, Chinenye blends the presentation of ideas to encourage critical dialogue, whether defined as print media, consumer culture, fashion, fine art, or new media. 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