TED talks, which spread compelling ideas related to the subjects of technology, entertainment and design, have become a global phenomenon with independently organized TEDx events taking place in more than 170 countries. Locally Savannah has hosted its own iteration of TEDx since 2010, with a two year hiatus due to COVID-19. 2024 marks the third year of TEDxSavannah since that hiatus, and the 13th since its inception. This year’s event is expected to build upon the momentum from previous years, resulting in an engaging conference featuring local thought leaders sharing innovative ideas for the betterment of our community.
This year’s theme for TEDxSavannah is convergence. The esteemed speakers will take on this theme from various perspectives and angles, fostering thoughtful discussions about the ways in which we can come together to address and overcome issues that impact local citizens.
“We can’t wait for our speakers to share ideas worth spreading with audience members from across the greater Savannah area,” said Karla Jennings, TEDxSavannah organizing committee member and speaker coach. “TEDxSavannah 2024 speakers will explore a wide range of topics and offer creative solutions to community challenges.”
The speakers for this year’s event represent a range of disciplines, experiences and perspectives, and each orator is sure to present relevant, resonant and thought-provoking ideas. TEDxSavannah received more than 150 applications for this year’s event, and from that wide pool, 12 credentialed community leaders were selected to address audience members this year.
The 2024 TEDxSavannah speakers include Elizabeth Adams, affiliate fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence; Bruce Feller, bestselling author, speaker and television host; Lillian Grant-Baptiste, Gullah Geechee storyteller and founder of Baobab Speaks Consulting Group; Dr. Deidre Grim, executive director of Forsyth Farmers’ Market; Steve Hein, founder and executive director of Georgia Southern University Wildlife Center; Mike Hentz, English teacher at Benedictine Military School; Suzanne Kirk, president and executive human resources consultant at Employment Development Strategies, Inc.; Jessica Leigh Lebos, award-winning writer; Briana Paxton, CEO of Hestia Community Partners LLC; Nina Samuels, sculptor working with clay and sustainable materials; and Christian Shellman, community development manager at Housing Savannah, Inc.
Grant-Baptiste, one of this year’s speakers, is elated to have the opportunity to share with audience members and connect with other speakers at TEDxSavannah.
“TEDx is such an amazing platform to get your ideas and your information out. I am excited to be a part of it,” she said, noting that she was honored and humbled to be selected.
She plans to center her TED talk around ideas of cultural convergence and what that looks like and means for the local community as a way of coming together.
“I’m going to talk about how it relates to me, to history and to Gullah Geechee culture,” said Grant-Baptiste.
She encourages the public to attend TEDxSavannah to take advantage of the valuable opportunities it presents.
“Hear some amazing voices in our community,” she said. “It gives you an opportunity to come together and celebrate community and different ideas . . . in the spirit of unity.”
TEDxSavannah will take place Thursday, May 16 from 1–5 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus. Tickets include seating, onsite parking, snacks, coffee and admission to the speaker meet-and-greet immediately following the event. Tickets and more information can be found at tedxsavannah.com.
