Inspired by the concept of endangered species, President of West Valley College, Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D., reframes the challenges faced by Black leaders in America, not as deficits in ability, but as the result of inhospitable conditions. Drawing on insights from environmental science and social justice frameworks, she delivers a powerful call to action: to create workplaces that are not only diverse, but sustainable. Audiences will gain a deeper understanding of their vital role in fostering hospitable environments that support equity in our institutions. President Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza has over 25 years of education experience in both instruction and student services, mainly within the California community colleges. In her roles as a classified professional, tenured faculty leader, director, dean, vice president, and now president, she has found inspiration in the brilliance, power, and endless potential of community college students. She leads for social justice and liberation, recognizing our shared responsibility to address the historical legacy of racism to create a more just system of access, reward, and long-term equitable outcomes to inspire individual achievement and generational impact. The “obligation gap,” a term she coined, speaks to institutional responsibility. She is co-author of Minding the Obligation Gap in Community Colleges: Theory and Practice in Achieving Educational Equity. President Taylor-Mendoza is also an Aspen Institute Presidential Fellow and American Leadership Forum, Silicon Valley Senior Fellow. 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

Warum ein gesunder Umgang mit Sterben, Tod und Trauer wichtig ist und wie wir von Kindern mit ihrer natürlichen Neugier lernen können, das erzählt uns Elisabeth. Elisabeth ist eine engagierte Trauerbegleiterin und Teil des Führungsteams von Löwenträne, einem Verein, der sich für trauernde Kinder und Jugendliche einsetzt. Mit ihrer Expertise und Leidenschaft möchte sie die Tabuthemen Sterben, Tod und Trauer in unserer Gesellschaft ins Gespräch bringen.Elisabeth is a dedicated grief counselor and part of the management team of Löwenträne, an association that supports grieving children and young people. With her expertise and passion, she wants to bring the taboo topics of dying, death and grief into conversation in our 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

Ready for a journey through ancient times? Through the stories of two couples, Sohaila takes us on journey to explore the influence of ancient Egyptian traditions on modern life, showing how customs like marriage and childbirth have evolved! Sohaila is a researcher in ancient Egyptian archaeology, holding a Bachelor's degree in Archaeology from Misr University for Science and Technology in 2018. Her first work, the book "A Tour in the Egyptian Museum," was published in 2019. She then earned a diploma in Egyptian antiquities from the Faculty of Archaeology at Cairo University in 2021 and is currently a Master's researcher. She has written several articles for the Castle Arabic Journal, Cairo News, and Akhbar Al-Ghad, and has published 6 internationally peer-reviewed research papers that were presented at conferences affiliated with the Italian Cultural Center in partnership with the Egypt Future Foundation and ICOM. Her second book, "Ra An Kemet," was published in 2023 and participated in the International Book Fair in 2023 and 2024. She also presents archaeological content on her Facebook page "Matigy Nehky" (Let's Talk) and the program "Sir Giddy" (My Grandfather's Secret) on the Radio Cast platform. 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

Wie das Potential von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) in der Medizin genutzt werden kann, welche Voraussetzungen notwendig sind und wie wir als Menschen davon profitieren, das erklärt uns Dr. Isabella Wiest. Isabella Wiest ist Ärztin, Gruppenleiterin „LLMs in Medicine“ am EKFZ der TU Dresden, und Vermittlerin zwischen den Welten der Medizin und der Computer Science. Mit einem Master in Health Economics und einer Leidenschaft für interdisziplinäre Lösungen möchte Isabella das Gesundheitssystem effizienter, persönlicher und zukunftsorientierter gestalten.Isabella Wiest is physician, group leader “LLMs in Medicine” at the EKFZ of TU Dresden, and mediator between the worlds of medicine and computer science. With a Master's degree in Health Economics and a passion for interdisciplinary solutions, Isabella wants to make the healthcare system more efficient, personalized and future-oriented. 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

Academic struggle isn’t just about grades; it’s about the sleepless nights, the silent tears, and the fear of failure. But what if failure isn’t the enemy? In this thought-provoking talk, Tobinson shares a personal journey of navigating academic pressure, shifting the perspective from fear of failure to embracing it as a tool for growth. This talk challenges the way we view success and encourages resilience, self-acceptance, and the courage to keep going—even when everything feels impossible. As a passionate student leader at Bloombreed High School, with a genuine desire to inspire others, Tobinson is the perfect voice for addressing the unspoken challenges that students face. He has excelled in both academics and extracurriculars. He won several awards while representing his school in various competitions, including debate and essay writing. His TEDx talk will not only resonate with young audiences struggling under the weight of academic pressure, but also offer practical advice on how to navigate stress, fear of failure, and the overwhelming expectations placed on students. With his candid, relatable storytelling, Tobinson’s message will inspire students to keep going, push through the struggle, and never give up. 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 this powerful and deeply personal talk, the speaker challenges society’s rigid beauty standards and shares her journey of self-acceptance. She shares about body image, societal expectations, the impact of social media on self-worth and her realization that true confidence comes from within—not from conforming to external ideals. By embracing self-awareness and self-acceptance, she found strength in her uniqueness and encourages others to do the same. Her message is clear: it’s important that we silence external voices, define our own worth, and boldly embrace who we are. A vibrant Year 10 student, Yoanna finds joy in singing, and reading—simple, yet powerful expressions of her lively spirit. She is a firm believer that everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin, even when it feels challenging. With a heart set on impact, Yoanna aspires to become a successful politician, lawyer, and philanthropist, using her voice to advocate for others and create meaningful change. Her journey is one of self-assurance, ambition, and the drive to make a difference. 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