In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Black Box Theatre
1509 S Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, Georgia, 30307
United States

Comfort Dondo

Comfort Dondo, stands at the forefront of advocating for social justice for women, girls, and victims of domestic violence. With her voice reaching international audiences through various press and media appearances, Comfort's dedication to her cause has earned her multiple accolades, including the prestigious Advocate of the Year Award from the Violence Free Minnesota Coalition on Ending Violence.

Dr. Melissa Bedford

Dr. Melissa Bedford is a trailblazer whose life work in personal development, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy has not only transformed lives but has also paved the way for countless individuals to discover their own paths to success. Known affectionately as 'The Purpose Profitess,' Dr. Bedford embodies a commitment to empowering others to unearth their life's purpose, all while fostering the creation of lasting generational wealth. Today, she is here to share insights that promise to revolutionize our approach to fear and unlock our potential for greatness.

Dr. Michelle Knights

Dr. Michelle V. Knights is a an innovative leader, professor, Lisa Nichols certified transformational trainer, author and international speaker. She has a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies and is a former University Professor internationally and within the US. She has worked with international entities, state government, and local organizations to stimulate transformation, productivity and growth. Dr. Michelle is dedicated to reducing health disparities for men and women with A-Game, innovative natural herbal remedy globally. Dr Michelle also equips high achieving women with strategies to accelerate their elevation to their next level through transformational speaking, writing, coaching and training. As a result of working with Dr. Michelle, her clients become unleashed in every area of life, by overcoming overwhelm, overcommitment, and overwork and transform to a life of courage, confidence, and certainty. They become unstoppable with ease and excellence. Her work is rooted in the examination of values and purpose to foster the courage to continue and build intergenerational and multigenerational legacy. Dr. Michelle’s exceptional story of courage migrating to the United States from her third world country home of Trinidad and Tobago is inspirational. This journey serves as the catalyst for her work as she continues to dream impossible dreams, knowing with certainty that with God and her family, all things are possible. She is on a path to accomplishing audacious goals and invites you if you’re in a session of rediscovery, reimagining, and reigniting your vision to consider her as she has embodied that journey and can be the guide on your side, activating your limitless capabilities to achieve far beyond what you might think or imagine possible.

Dr. Queinnise Miller

Professor, international speaker, published author, consultant, mentor/coach and mom! Dr. Miller is driven by a belief that all children deserve a world class education regardless of cultural or economic background. Dr. Queinnise Miller is currently an assistant professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis Doctoral Program at University of Houston – Clear Lake. Even after more than 23 years as an educator, Dr. Queinnise Miller continues to have a passion for teaching, learning and leading. Her life’s work is to inspire and encourage others to teach and lead with love, by putting humans first. Her background is in English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, and Foreign Language Instruction. Dr. Miller has served in leadership capacities such as Assistant Principal, Principal, Senior Manager for Leadership Development and as a Director in the Office of School Leadership. She has coached, consulted with and trained thousands of leaders at all levels within school districts, non-profit and for profit organizations with understanding the meaning of inclusive, cultural and instructional leadership and its impact on developing exceptional leaders and teachers to better serve others.

Jerome McQueen

Despite coming from the I-95 Corridor of Shame, Jerome D. McQueen has forged a remarkable career as a licensed professional engineer. With over 26 years of experience, his journey began as a NASA Graduate Fellow, where he specialized in air pollution engineering for jet engine test cells. He has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as a STEM Influencer for under-represented populations and his passion is to provide STEM opportunities for all children. Mr. McQueen founded AcaSTEMics to introduce engineering to grade school students through fun and hands-on methods of teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. His mission is to ensure that children are exposed to the wondrous opportunities that STEM has to offer for their future. Mr. McQueen is a keynote speaker focusing on leadership, empowerment, and STEM diversity.

Jerome D. McQueen, PE

Despite coming from the I-95 Corridor of Shame, Jerome D. McQueen has forged a remarkable career as a licensed professional engineer. With over 26 years of experience, his journey began as a NASA Graduate Fellow, where he specialized in air pollution engineering for jet engine test cells. He has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as a STEM Influencer for under-represented populations and his passion is to provide STEM opportunities for all children. Mr. McQueen founded AcaSTEMics to introduce engineering to grade school students through fun and hands-on methods of teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. His mission is to ensure that children are exposed to the wondrous opportunities that STEM has to offer for their future. Mr. McQueen is a keynote speaker focusing on leadership, empowerment, and STEM diversity.

Jess Ford

Jess Ford was born and raised in Detroit, MI. In 2010 after studying business at Eastern Michigan University she started her career in the mortgage industry as a loan officer. During this time, she discovered a passion for learning and development. While working for one of the largest consumer direct mortgage lenders in the country Jess was able to gain experience in training, sales coaching, and underwriting. In 2013 she expanded her knowledge base by earning her credit certifications. As a Homeownership Coach, she educated potential borrowers across the country with below-average FICO scores; educating them about credit and preparing them for mortgages and has been doing so ever since. Jess later went on to work in business-to-business mortgage lending, training, and coaching hundreds of the best account executives in the country and assisting mortgage brokers all over the U.S. to expand and grow their businesses at the largest wholesale lender in the country. Jess’s colleagues describe her as hard-working and ethical. Her dedication to excellence and integrity is unwavering. She has a deep passion for helping and educating everyone around her. She has a solid reputation for meeting the needs of her clients in a pleasant, prompt, and professional manner while maintaining confidentiality and providing a transparent process. Currently, Jess is a Business Development Consultant, and a licensed loan originator

Katie Lessner

Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a journey marked by profound personal growth, Katie Lessner merges her artistic prowess with an indomitable spirit of resilience. Her path has been adorned with diverse experiences, including a notable interview with Jillian Michaels, showcasing her versatility and dedication to evolution. Today, Katie stands as a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating how adversity can be the catalyst for insight and reinvention.

Saundra Boyd

Saundra Boyd is a dedicated Mental Health Caregiver Coach and Consultant, renowned as the Founder of Caregivers Haven. With over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Saundra has devoted her life to supporting those tasked with caring for individuals with brain illnesses. As a leader, speaker, and podcast host, she shares her lived experiences, providing education, resources, and coaching to empower stressed and exhausted family caregivers. Saundra's mission is to enable caregivers to care for their loved ones while prioritizing their own well-being through self-care strategies. Beyond caregiving, she offers coaching for individuals seeking meaningful changes in their health, well-being, and happiness. Saundra's compassionate journey as a caregiver began at the age of ten when her mother suffered a traumatic brain injury, leading her to care for various family members with brain illness diagnoses. As a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sibling, Auntie, and Registered Nurse, Saundra is committed to sharing her compassion and expertise, making a positive impact on others' caregiving journeys.

Tempestt Gilmore

Tempestt Gilmore is a mother, dancer, educator, and literacy coach with over 15 years of experience in the education field. She holds a BA in Neuroscience Studies from Macalester College, a MA in Teaching from Belhaven University, and is a Lisa Nichols Certified Transformational Trainer. Tempestt is passionate about literacy in all its forms. She coaches and trains early childhood educators across the nation in early literacy strategies. She is also a transformational self-literacy coach helping people experiencing the shifts and breakdowns of life to transform themselves and create the life of their dreams. When experiencing her own life shift and breakdown, Tempestt was faced with the decision to stay in breakdown or move into her breakthrough. By taking the steps to develop self-literacy, Tempestt transformed her own life and desires to help others do the same. Sometimes, to create the life that you want, you must be willing to dismantle the one that you have. It is her goal to help as many people as possible develop self-literacy, push past their limiting beliefs, and empower them to accomplish their goals.