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).

Livingston Student Center
84 Joyce Kilmer Ave
Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854
United States

Camilla Townsend

Camilla Townsend is Board of Governors Distinguished Professor of History at Rutgers University. She is the author of seven books, including Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs (2019), Malintzin's Choices: An Indian Woman in the Conquest of Mexico (2006), and Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma (2004). Her work has been supported by the Guggenheim Foundation, the American Philosophical Society and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and her publications have received numerous prizes. In 2020, she received the prestigious Cundill Prize in History.

Eesha Vijayakumar

Eesha is a freshman at the Rutgers Honors College, majoring in Leadership and Management and pursuing the pre-med track. She is an aspiring global equitable physician, philanthropist, and motivational speaker, who firmly believes in the power of people in shaping reality. Eesha has always enjoyed the opportunity to express powerful and esoteric ideas to the public, ever since performing plays with the Susan O’dell Taylor (elementary) School and, especially, after hearing Dr. Jane Goodall speak at the United Nations Student Peace Conference of 2017. She looks forward to uplifting humanity, exploring the Earth’s natural beauty, and embarking on inward journeys in the present and near future.

Hakki Akdeniz

Hakki Akdeniz is the founder/CEO of Champion Pizza and many other businesses based in New York. As a former homeless man, he spreads awareness and inspirations to never give up on life, and to be kind to others around you. He is an enthusiastic philanthropist who has donated thousands of pizza slices and other necessities to homeless shelters and struggling people on the street.

Kaila Boulware

Raymond Sykes and Kaila Boulware Sykes are the co-founders of Hidden Gems Literary Emporium, a non-profit, community bookstore with a goal of distributing thousands of free books per month. Raymond and Kaila fell in love at Rutgers University--New Brunswick where Raymond studied Journalism & Media Studies, and Kaila studied Public Health. The couple are professional photographers and film makers at their family-owned company 2OliveTreesStudio.com. Raymond and Kaila are co-authors to two books, 'Fruit: Poetry, Prompts & Photography' and 'Trojan Horse', a story of their experience surviving police brutality. Raymond and Kaila volunteer with Tree House Cares, where they started a weekly food distribution program in New Brunswick, NJ, serving over 1 million pounds of food since its inception. Their pride and joy is their 1 year old son, Truth Imanu'el Sykes. They give all praise to their Creator, Yoheweh, for their accomplishments, and for saving their lives.

Lisa S. Kaplowitz

Lisa Kaplowitz is the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Rutgers Center for Women in Business, and assistant professor of finance at Rutgers Business School, where she leverages 25+ years of experience as an investment banker and CFO. Lisa is also a restless champion for gender equality and her work has been featured on Bloomberg TV and in Forbes, CFO Magazine and Bloomberg.com. Lisa’s advocacy began as a scholar-athlete at Brown University, when she was part of a landmark Title IX case that added more varsity athletic opportunities for women. Today, she continues to champion gender equity at work and in the home, alongside her husband and teenage sons.

Raymond Sykes

Raymond Sykes and Kaila Boulware Sykes are the co-founders of Hidden Gems Literary Emporium, a non-profit, community bookstore with a goal of distributing thousands of free books per month. Raymond and Kaila fell in love at Rutgers University--New Brunswick where Raymond studied Journalism & Media Studies, and Kaila studied Public Health. The couple are professional photographers and film makers at their family-owned company 2OliveTreesStudio.com. Raymond and Kaila are co-authors to two books, 'Fruit: Poetry, Prompts & Photography' and 'Trojan Horse', a story of their experience surviving police brutality. Raymond and Kaila volunteer with Tree House Cares, where they started a weekly food distribution program in New Brunswick, NJ, serving over 1 million pounds of food since its inception. Their pride and joy is their 1 year old son, Truth Imanu'el Sykes. They give all praise to their Creator, Yoheweh, for their accomplishments, and for saving their lives.

Rohini Deivasigamani

Rohini Deivasigamani is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University studying political science and sociology. Rohini grew up with a passion for various cultural arts, training in an Indian classical dance form called Bharatnatyam, as well as carnatic music. After dancing for a significant portion of her life, she noticed a growing bump on her leg. Rohini suddenly struggled with her movements and lost her confidence with something she truly loved. After several doctor appointments, MRIs, and scans, she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a childhood cancer, at the mere age of 14. However, through her journey, Rohini learned that through vulnerability and weakness comes perseverance. The past six years have taught her the fundamental importance of resilience as she gained a new perspective on life.