Want to feel like you’ve received a current-event overview, a history lesson, a primer in autonomous vehicles as well as access to famous actors and television stars? Then this year’s TEDxDetroit lineup will satisfy all of your curiosities and intellectual pursuits.
On Monday, organizers of the well-attended and reviewed event announced the 2019 array of speakers and performers, including bakers, politicians, business people and reality-television personalities. This year, TEDxDetroit returns 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6 – to the Masonic Temple, 500 Temple in Detroit.
“Detroit is home to a torrent of innovative companies, imaginative minds and inspiring projects,” Charlie Wollborg, curator of TEDxDetroit and co-founder of Moka Boka Adventure Books, said in a statement. “Narrowing down this year’s lineup of speakers from the more than 300 submissions was a daunting task.”
Expect the area’s leading thinkers, designers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists and students to assemble for an inspiring day that celebrates the ideas worth spreading.
Speakers for the 11th TEDxDetroit event will include:
· April Anderson, founder of Good Cakes and Bakes – she’s a baker and entrepreneur who was recently featured on The Today Show.
· Najah Bazzy, a transcultural clinical nurse, diversity specialist and humanitarian who founded Zaman International
· Brian Calley, former lieutenant governor of Michigan and current president of the Small Business Association of Michigan, who has a passion for public service.
·Nicole Curtis, a notable self-taught rehabber and designer, she is the star of Rehab Addict on the DIY Network and HGTV.
·Jason Hudy, one of the busiest working magicians today. He’s performed in theaters around the world and has been featured on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
·Swamy Kotagiri, chief technology officer and autonomous vehicle innovator with Magna.
·J Chris Newburg, a Birmingham native, comedian and writer who has appeared on The Tonight Show, America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Kimmel Live and much more.
·Rob Paulsen, the voice actor behind so many of your favorite cartoon characters – Remember Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? He gave a voice to so many favorite characters. He also hosts the Talkin’ Toons podcast on Nerdist.
· Jeff Ponders, an entrepreneur, two-time tech startup founder and marketing strategist also travels the country as a professional saxophonist.
·Portia Powell, vice president of municipal banking operations at Chemical Bank. She’s dedicated to empowering the people of Metro Detroit and earned a 2019 40 Under 40 award from Crain’s Detroit Business.
·Luis Resto, an Oscar and Grammy-winning composer and record producer known for his work with Eminem on the song “Lose Yourself.”
·Kalin Sheick, a florist, designer and farmer with a Northern Michigan sensibility. She owns Sweetwater North.
TEDxDetroit features three sessions throughout the day. In between sessions, attendees can visit TEDxDetroit Labs – a business expo, art gallery, science fair, maker MarketPlace and more. TEDxDetroit Labs is the space to connect with speakers, performers and makers in real time.
TEDxDetroit is among the oldest and largest TEDx events worldwide. Started in 2009, the independently organized event has featured more than 250 doctors, filmmakers, educators, engineers, poets and other game changers hailing from Detroit and around the Great Lakes State. TEDxDetroit features a full day of talks, performances and hands-on, interactive labs, all designed to foster collaboration and inspire creativity. Follow TEDxDetroit on your favorite social media channels or visit tedxdetroit.com to learn for more.
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, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. 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).
