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).

Orange Mound Community Center
2590 Park
Memphis, Tennessee, 38114
United States

Austin, Laresia, Josiah Avery

Austin Avery III, Laresia Avery, & Josiah Avery are a husband-wife-son team, and they’ve been promoting a sustainable lifestyle that focuses on food waste management, resource management, and healthy, nutritional food access since way before it was cool. Their unified household vision isn’t just about making a difference in one community. They are passionate about moving the needle across the Memphis area and demonstrating a scalable yet easily adoptable new model for food security & sustainability nationwide. To ensure their vision becomes a reality, and withstands the test of time, Austin and Laresia lean heavily on the wisdom of God while leveraging their personal and professional experiences. Austin is a military veteran who has been awarded 3 Navy Achievement Medals for the meticulous attention to detail displayed during the service of his country and the duties assigned to him during his military service. Austin Avery III is a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast that, due to his military service, has been afforded the opportunity to travel to and experience many domestic locations as well as many international destinations such as Israel, Mexico, Jamaica, Spain, Greece, France, Russia, Bahrain, and more. Laresia ‘Reesie’ Avery is a native Memphian that has over a decade of experience in community outreach and engagement both in the corporate and community-based arenas. Laresia and Austin are fortunate to share their love of traveling as well as their wealth of knowledge and experience in business and community cultivation with their son, Josiah, through their specialized and proprietary homeschooling curriculum.

Carey Moore

Carey Moore, a 3rd generation Memphian, is the founder and CEO of My Cup of Tea. My Cup of Tea is a nonprofit ministry at the corner of Carnes Avenue and Semmes Street that provides jobs to Orange Mound women packaging and selling high-quality, imported tea. Mrs. Moore has been the wife of Richard Moore for 56 years She is the mother of 5 children and grandmother to 16 grandchildren. An officer at Second Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Moore has been a short-term missionary in India and Ukraine for 20 years. She is a partner in the Wedding Shop in Rivne, Ukraine, where she provides gently worn wedding dresses to young brides living below the Ukranian poverty line.

Fara Captain

Fara Captain is a dynamic changemaker who believes in building an inclusive environment in both the real estate industry and in the City of Memphis. Fara is a Multi-Million Dollar Club Life member and also a Top Producing Real Estate Professional in the Country. She is a graduate of the eCornell University where she earned their Diversity and Inclusion Certification and completed the Urban Land Institute Real Estate Emerging Developers program. She currently travels to teach Real Estate Agents around the country about Inclusive practices within Real Estate and is also a local Real Estate instructor. She hopes to continue to inspire and educate her peers and her city through inclusive practices. Her communities range from small to national, and her commitment is unprecedented. She is now an American Dream TV Host promoting the Memphis Metropolitan Area and their heroes. Her accolades include being a Memphis Business Journal Executive of the Year Honoree and a Super Woman in Business and a Best in Real Estate Deals Real Estate Agent. She has been recognized by RIS Media as a Crusader for her allyship efforts on speaking up against racism. She was featured on the front cover as a Young Professional of Residential Real Estate Council winner for speaking up for her clients in an appraisal issue that may have had racial discrimination tones. In 2019, she completed the Unpacking Racism class through the National Civil Rights Museum. After taking the class, she was inspired to take on action by leading through inclusivity and equity. In her spare time, she has been meeting with fellow passionate DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) Memphis leaders to discuss ways that Memphians can continue to inspire the community into a more Inclusive environment. And amidst all her business adventures, she still makes time to be the class grade Mom and dates nights with her best friend and husband. She is a woman who walks the walk - working daily to change the landscape of real estate in the city, making the world a more inclusive space and giving back at every turn.

Karren Todd

Dr. Karren D. Todd is a dynamic speaker, influential motivator, author, and certified professional coach. With 15 years of dedicated service in full-time ministry, including eight years as Senior Associate Pastor, Karren transitioned to a new chapter of service as the Executive Director of POWER Ministries, Inc. and CEO of Empowerment Coaching and Consulting. Her passion lies at the intersection of spiritual and personal development, empowering clients both in ministry and the marketplace. Karren's impact on her community is profound. She has spearheaded two transformative initiatives through Power Ministries, Inc.: Project STAND and Higher Learning. Project STAND, which has been active since 2014, has raised funds and awareness for Domestic Violence Survivors in the Greater Memphis Area, donating thousands of dollars to support those affected by domestic violence. The Higher Learning initiative, on the other hand, is equipping young women with the tools to excel in their schools and communities, fostering a culture of ambition and aspiration. A dedicated community leader, Karren has served on the Board of Directors for prominent organizations such as Leadership Memphis and the Memphis Urban League Guild. Her commitment to advocacy is evident through her role as a Clergy Coach for the Clergy Coaching Network and her recent appointment to the Board of the YWCA of Greater Memphis. She is actively involved in various committees and initiatives, including the Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis and the Professional Consultation Committee for CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Karren's influence extends beyond her community involvement. As a published author, three of her books have achieved Best-Selling status on Amazon and Kindle. Her accolades include recognition as a TSD's Women of Excellence honoree, Female Pastor of the Year, and the Dress for Success Entrepreneurial Spirit Award recipient. Recently, she completed a Chaplain Residency with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and currently serves as the Director of the House of Black Church Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary. Karren holds a Master of Divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling. Her commitment to excellence, coupled with her compassionate leadership, continues to inspire and uplift individuals across the country. Her compassionate leadership continue

Le Marquee La Flora

Le Marquee La Flora is a native Memphian, visual artist & educator. He has been an educator for 10 years & has taught History & Visual Art in high schools across the city. He is a proud Program Director for The Peer Power Foundation, aiming to provide youth with high-quality, life-enhancing tutoring services regardless of their zip code. He is the co-founder of Kings of Distinction; a mentoring organization aimed at mentoring and equipping father-less and mentor-less young males with brotherhood, business efficacy, & manhood skills so they can be contributing citizens in society. As of 2023, Kings of Distinction mentors 35 males from 7 total schools. They have a 100% high school graduation rate and 80% of those graduates have enrolled in a post-secondary institution. The remaining 20% became employed. He began a clothing label called Memphis Kulture to design apparel while employing members of Kings of Distinction simultaneously. He has exhibited his infamous installation art series entitled “Counting the Cost” in galleries such as the National Civil Rights Museum, TONE, The Fogelman Galleries & Lipscomb University. At the University of Memphis, his artwork caused such a stir that the Dean of the Fine Arts Department requested that a statement be displayed outside the gallery. His first installment of the “Counting the Cost” series was accepted into the legendary Perry Art Collection. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Memphis & a Masters of Urban Education from Union University.

Mario Wallace

Dr. Mario D. Wallace, the founder of the All Things Strategic, has more than 20 years of small business consulting experience and 11 years of healthcare consulting experience. He has considerable expertise in the areas of process improvement, change management, leadership development, medical education, program instructional development, and strategic management. Recently, he published the books Strategy Is Spelled ADEM, the Unstoppable Leader, Strategy Management, DIVOC, the Executive Performance Journal, HR’s New Frontier: Agility, Making the Brain Perform, and A Path towards to Prison Reform. He has published multiple academic publications related to strategy management. Dr. Wallace earned his bachelor’s degrees in international Language and Rhetoric and Writing and his master’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He earned his doctoral degree from Walden University in Business Administration Leadership. He has certifications in the Balanced Scorecard from the Palladium Group, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University, Change Management from PROSCI, Emotional Intelligence from the Hay Group, Communication from the Wiley Everything DiSC Workplace, and Facilitation from Development Dimension International (DDI). Dr. Wallace also completed Dr. Malaz Bostani’s Agile Nudge Bootcamp and Innovation Forum certificate program at Indiana University’s Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Sciences. Dr. Wallace also earned his COVID-19 Contract Tracing Certificate from Johns Hopkins University. Lastly, Dr. Wallace attained his certification as a NeeuroFIT Coach from Neeuro.

Marlon Foster

Marlon Foster is the Founder and CEO of Knowledge Quest, a community development organization founded in 1995 whose mission is “to vigorously equip youth and families to maximize their potential through education, wellness and economic stability.” Knowledge Quest (KQ) operates through a ‘cradle to career’ continuum methodology grounded in four strategic programs: KQ Early Childhood Academy; Extended Learning Academies; Family Stability Centers; and Green Leaf Learning Farm. Mr. Foster has spearheaded the investment of tens of millions of dollars and resources in one of Memphis’ most under-resourced communities. He is considered a ‘social entrepreneur’ because of his unique approaches to community and economic development. The recent transformation of 30 formerly vacant, blighted lots and four abandoned structures to Memphis’ first USDA Certified Organic farm operation inclusive of an onsite processing facility, collegiate dormitory, future restaurant, corner grocery and Agritourism draw is one example of his ingenuity. Seven years post of Knowledge Quest’s founding, Mr. Foster founded Christ Quest Community Church, a non-denominational Christian church rooted in social justice and evangelism. He is a life-long resident of South Memphis, grew up and presently lives in the immediate neighborhood in which Knowledge Quest/Christ Quest is headquartered. In addition, Mr. Foster continues to share his insight on community and faith building with fellow nonprofits, small businesses, churches and higher learning institutions in numerous volunteer and professional capacities.

Mike Minnis

Mike Minnis In the 1970's Mike worked to help create the Community Reinvestment Act legislation; In the 1980's Mike continued to help improve housing for the underserved in the Roseland community of Chicago, Illinois. During the 1990's Mike's involvement in the Englewood community of Chicago, Illinois led to a revitalization program entitled "Earnfare", as a welfare to work program over 2,000 young adults obtained construction related employment and greater housing opportunities became available. Currently Mike is active in the Orange Mound community of Memphis, Tennessee in an effort to create positive change for its residents.

Raymond Miller

Raymond N. Miller III is a licensed general contractor and received a Mechanical Engineering degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a sickle cell warrior who shares a story of perseverance and thirst for knowledge into fields that push the envelope of sustainable living in the Memphis area. The unique perspective allows boundaries to be pushed and redefine what is possible, both in his personal life and professional endeavors.

Sharron Brown

Her Excellency Lady Dr. Sharron J. Brown, PhD International Philanthropist & Keynote Speaker, Author, USA Georgia Goodwill Ambassador, UN Ambassador & a Smithsonian History Maker H. E. Lady Dr. Sharron J. Brown, is an accomplished humanitarian, author, keynote speaker, and an international philanthropist with notable achievements, including starting "The Dr. Sharron J. Brown Restoration Hope Center" in 2019 for Women and Girls in Rwanda, Africa! She made a selfless decision to dedicate her life to making sure that everyone she meets find the power of their voice as well as becoming the champion they’ve always dreamed about. Lady Ambassador Dr. Sharron has been a survivor of many things in her lifetime. She has spent fifteen-plus years empowering and helping people overcome many obstacles in their lives. She holds several certifications from Harvard University: a Bachelor of Theology, a Master of Christian Counseling, a Master’s degree in International Chaplaincy, an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism and Humanities L.H.D., and a Ph.D. in International Leadership. Lady Ambassador Dr. Sharron J. Brown also holds a House Joint Resolution #52 in the State of Tennessee. She has several resolutions in her name and her own day from the State of Georgia! Notably, she received a proclamation from President Barack Obama and is featured in the National Museum of African American History & Culture, as well as the American Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution, which is the largest library in the world.

Warren Patten, Jr.

Speaker

Warren W. Patten Jr. is a father, an entrepreneur, an award-winning author, a singer/songwriter/musician, and leadership/motivational coach. He was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee and graduated from Melrose High School. He attended Westark Community College for two years and then transferred to Eastern Illinois University having earned a basketball scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication with a minor in Theatre. Warren has been married to his college sweetheart, Ribbon, for forty years and they have five sons and three grandchildren. They met at Eastern Illinois University, while she was a freshman, and after four years of courtship, he encouraged her to move to Memphis where he proposed. Once married they were determined to start their careers first and then a family. Ribbon is a career elementary school level educator.