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).

Alleyway Theatre
1 Curtain Up Alley
Buffalo, New York, 14202
United States

James Burritt

Music Teacher

James Burritt has taught vocal music at the collegiate, private, and public-school levels. He currently teaches music at Lewiston-Porter Central Schools in Youngstown, NY. Mr. Burritt is also the founder and director of the Vocalis Chamber Choir in Buffalo, NY. In addition to its concerts around Buffalo, Vocalis has performed at the American Choral Directors’ Association Eastern Region Conference, the Music Niagara Festival in Ontario, Canada, and at the Cambridge Summer Music Festival in the UK.

John Paget

Filmmaker

John Paget has worked as a documentary filmmaker and commercial cinematographer since 1992. He's directed several feature documentaries on iconic American topics, including: "Route 66: An American Odyssey" "Almost Elvis" and "Alcatraz Reunion" Originally from Olympia, Washington, John now lives in Buffalo, New York with his wife Robin. He's made several celebrated short films about Buffalo that have captured and helped catalyze the city’s revitalization. John is the founder and creative director at First and Main Films, a creative studio focused on stories about cities, towns and neighborhoods through films that foster pride, build community and spark imagination.

Karl Shallowhorn

Mental Health Advocate

Karl Shallowhorn is the Director of Youth Programs for the Mental Health Advocates of Western New York and President of Shallowhorn Consulting, LLC. He has worked in the field of addiction and mental health for over 20 years. Karl is the host of the YouTube podcast, Mental Health Verses, and is the author of Working on Wellness: A Practical Guide to Mental Health and Leadership Through the Lens of the 12 Steps. He is a person in long-term recovery from bipolar disorder and addiction.

Loren Penman

Accessibility Advocate and Teacher

In her talk, Loren Penman describes the journey undertaken in western New York State to make outdoor recreation accessible to everyone in one of this country's favorite parks. The audience will see evidence that, when we begin with the end in mind in providing opportunities for a group of under-served individuals, everybody wins. Loren spent four decades as a teacher and administrator in public schools and led one of the first Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) high schools in New York State. She may be best known, however, as one of The ANT Aunts, a title given to the three retired women who created The Autism Nature Trail (The ANT) at Letchworth State Park, which opened in October 2021 after 7 years of planning and fundraising.

Margaret Phillips

Attorney and Legal Educator

Margaret Phillips is an experienced attorney, author and legal educator who is passionate about legal literacy and access to justice.