Media Advisory: Wake Forest to host TEDx: Daring to Endeavor

Wake Forest is hosting TEDx, an independently organized event licensed by TED, on Feb. 22 from noon to 5 p.m. in Wait Chapel. Nine thought-leaders will deliver talks in less than 18 minutes on topics ranging from sustainable urban farming to sports to education.

Speakers include:

  • Robin Emmons, founder and executive director of Sow Much Good — a non-profit supporting urban farming initiatives in under-served communities;
  • Vic Howie, founder of U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., whose mission is to create the “perfect playground for both children and adults;”
  • Ben Kamens, lead developer at Khan Academy, a pioneering education non-profit that aims to provide a “free world-class education for anyone anywhere;” and
  • Doris Páez, executive director of Forsyth Futures, a non-profit dedicated to expanding community knowledge and taking action to improve the quality of life for people in Forsyth County, North Carolina.

A complete list of speakers is available on the TEDxWakeForestU website.

The TEDx program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.

“TEDx is part of a global movement to explore the unknown, discover a passion, take action, and better our community,” said senior Yana Klein, a student TEDx organizer. “It’s an honor for Wake Forest to host this engaging and progressive event. We want to encourage local and regional community members to join us. Our goal is to fill all 2,000 available seats in Wait Chapel.”

“The talks at a TEDx event are inspirational,” says Polly Black, professor of practice and director of Wake Forest’s Center for Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship. “Each one on its own is an ‘idea worth spreading.’ Together, the talks can inspire the audience to combine ideas in new ways.”

Tickets for Wake Forest’s TEDx event are available online here. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $5 for non WFU students, and free for Wake Forest University students, faculty and staff. Registration for TEDx is required to attend.

Visit the TEDxWakeForestU website, Facebook page or follow @TEDxWakeForestU for more information. The hashtag for the event is #TEDxWFU.

About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. Learn more about Wake Forest at www.wfu.edu.

About TEDx
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 talk videos and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for TEDx events.

About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. For more information visit the TED website.

Categories: Media Advisory