Theme: Ted Bushwick Women

Tedx Bushwick Women is a evening three hour conference about the power of women and girls to be creators and change-makers. The program of speakers, panels and daring discussions brings together Bushwicks community of people interested in exploring how change begins: with innovative thinkers who catalyze ideas toward action.

Lot45 Bushwick
411 Troutman St
Brooklyn
New York, New York, 11237
United States

Aditi Paul

Aditi paul received her Masters in Computer Science from St. Xaviers College, India and her Ph.D in Communication Studies from Michigan State University. She has been working as an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Pace University since 2015. Her research area is in online dating and the effects of technology on relationship development. Her work has been covered by prominent outlets such as NBC News, Washington Post, and The Telegraph UK. She has presented in national and international communication conferences such as NCA and IAMCR. In addition to her academic work, Aditi also writes articles and reviews events. Aditi is actively involved in promoting a positive image for Indian American Women within her community.

Annette Spellen

Born and educated in NY, Annette Spellen is a retired NYPD Detective, trained hostage negotiator, and Domestic Violence Advocate. She is also a cancer survivor. In 1973 when she graduated from the NY Police National Academy, women had just been allowed to patrol the streets. Prior to 1973 women were not allowed to patrol the streets and they didn’t allow them in police cars. By 1975 there was a fiscal year crisis and the academy first laid off female officers, not because of they the worst workers, but because they were the last to be hired. “Last one hired, the last one fired.” She was a part of a group of women that filed a lawsuit against the city for sexist practices and won and was rehired. Throughout her career, Annette has helped open the doors for future Female Captains in law enforcement, spoken out against domestic and workplace harassment against women and won her battle with Cancer. She is now a member of Bushwick Community Board 4 and goes to Albany and Washington often, to advocate for women’s rights.

Celeste Leon

District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 4.

Julie Dent

Chairwoman of Brooklyn Community Board 4.

Kweighbaye Kotee

Kweighbaye Kotee is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, writer and TV host. Over the past 10 years she has developed creative ways to use the power of media, culture and arts to bridge communities. In 2007, she founded The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF). The Festival celebrates independent film, provides chances for diverse filmmakers to exhibit their work and creates spaces where audiences can gather and enjoy independent cinema. A decade later, BFF is hailed as one of Brooklyn’s most celebrated events for its contribution to the borough’s artistic and economic growth, as well as its integrative programming. In 2015, Kotee founded Media Culture & Communications Group (MCCG). MCCG works in tandem with companies and rapidly changing neighborhoods to help open lines of communication and create opportunities that support artistic sustainability and preserve long-standing cultural landscapes in various ways. Dedicated to her community and the arts, she is the Executive Director of two Brooklyn-based non-profit organizations and is a Bushwick Community Board member serving on the Arts & Culture and Land Use Committees. Born in Liberia, she and her family immigrated to the U.S. at the brink of the Liberian Civil war. Kotee attended public school in Newark, NJ where she was awarded a scholarship from the Wight Foundation to attend Blair Academy. She moved on to receive her B.S in Media, Culture and Communications from New York University. Currently Kweighbaye lives in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Maritza Davila

Elected to represent the 53rd Assembly District, a lifelong community advocate, Assemblywoman Davila continues her fight in Albany. She is an individual who understands through experience the challenges and successes that that her community has faced and will face. As a staunch defender of women’s rights, Davila has supported numerous organizations and initiatives to empower and protect Brooklyn’s women. She was the Director of the North Brooklyn Coalition Against Domestic Violence and served on its Board for two years, where she helped to prevent family violence in the community through education and intervention. Assemblywoman Davila graduated with her AA in Political Science from Long Island University. Assembly Member Maritza Davila supports her community and believes that nothing is impossible.

Martha Brown

Vice Chairperson of Bushwick Community Board 4.

Michelle King

MICHELLE KING is the Head of UN Women’s Integrated Strategy and Partnerships for Innovation. She is a leading global expert in gender and organizations. She is a keynote speaker, researcher, writer and advocate. She has significant international experience advancing women in innovation and technology, leading global diversity and inclusion programs and advocating for women at work. King currently leads UN Women’s gender innovation work focused on leveraging innovation and technology to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment. King is a published, award winning academic with a Masters in Psychology and an MBA. In addition, she is pursuing a PhD through Cranfield University in the United Kingdom on the topic of office politics, networks and gender in organizations. King has spoken at numerous conferences including Ellevate Network Conference, Texas Conference for Women, and the Pennsylvania Conference for Women. As a thought leader, King currently contributes to Forbes and Huffington Post on the topic of women’s advancement at work and she’s been published in Harvard Business Review and TIME magazine. @michpking

Sarah Lux-Lee

Sarah Lux-Lee is the founder of Mindr, which runs talks, workshops, classes and events led by global experts, where crying babies are welcome. Called the 'TED of the parenting world,' Mindr is disrupting the new parent experience by creating opportunities for deep personal, professional and intellectual growth and interconnection in a baby-friendly environment. Mindr's speakers are from the United Nations, Ivy League universities, Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, leading NGOs and elsewhere. Prior to founding Mindr, Sarah worked for the Australian Government and UN Women, and completed a Master of Public Administration at Columbia University. She was named a Next Generation Women Leader by McKinsey and one of Australia's Top 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review. @sarahluxlee, @mindrnyc