Connor Edsall accompanied by Christopher Hunt played music at the TEDx event held at NextStop Theatre on Saturday, March 14. Many in the audience agreed the presentations at the event were inspirational, bold and vulnerable. The event was organized by Joseph Plummer. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
NextStop Theatre in the Town of Herndon hosted a TEDx event on Saturday, March 14. 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. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a global set of conferences run by the private nonprofit Sapling Foundation, under the slogan "Ideas Worth Spreading."
TED was founded in 1984, and the annual conference series began in 1990. TED's early emphasis was technology and design, consistent with its Silicon Valley origins, but has since broadened its focus to include talks on scientific, cultural and academic topics. This was the first TEDx to be hosted in Herndon.
At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark discussion and connection in a group. Local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x means 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). Filming the event was a video crew from Herndon based Moon Bounce Media. As of March 2015, the TEDx talk library contained films and presentations from over 130 countries. “It is about spreading ideas and creating community… hopefully these ideas will take root after the event,” said Joseph Plummer, organizer for the TEDx Herndon.
PLUMMER is founder, president and Chief Executive Officer of The Three Birds Foundation, a Herndon-based nonprofit that aims to forward alternative energy resources, particularly in low income schools. In addition to work with low-income schools, Three Birds has reached out to other schools to assist them with various projects and initiatives. Plummer said he was encouraged by Mayor Merkel to investigate the TEDx event. “Finding the speakers is a very interesting process,” said Plummer. Sponsors for the Herndon TEDx event included Katydid Kids and Cox Communications. Plummer said he sees the TEDx events as a way to continue promoting a culture of innovation and creativity. Many hope the success of this year’s event may be repeated again.
“Tedx Herndon started as the result of a conversation about ideas to improve the community,” said Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel. “Herndon has always been a place where people take ideas and bring them into reality, we are innovators and risk-takers, neighbors who work together to make things like the Fortnightly Library and ArtSpace happen. Herndon is where high tech meets hometown, where the arts and technology intersect.” Also attending the presentation was Herndon’s Vice Mayor, Jennifer Baker.
Many of 15 persons participating in the presentations were residents of Northern Virginia. Within a set amount of time, each of the speakers shared a story. The presentations ranged from a variety of topics, including Louise Edsall’s discussion on the value of honeybees, Tom “Tattoo Tom” Mitchell’s journey to promote childhood cancer awareness, and Scott Sklar’s presentation on the future of personal energy use. Many in the audience agreed the speakers were inspirational, bold and vulnerable, sometimes within the same 30 seconds. The Tedx Herndon was a chance for the presenters to share their passions.
Stephanie Butler shared how she turned a diagnosis for a chronic illness into a calling. In 2013 Butler was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Butler is now working towards a degree to become a family nurse practitioner at Rutgers, she has already become an MS certified nurse. Butler is an advocate for MS research, serves on a committee for the Accelerated Cure Project, and writes an MS blog, http://justkeepsmyelin.com. “I am not offering a cure, but I am empowering people,” said Butler.
In addition to the presentations, artistic talent was also shared. This included music by Connor Edsall accompanied by Christopher Hunt, as well as choreography by members of Motion X Dance DC. Stephanie Lynn Dorrycott, artistic director of Motion X Dance DC, spoke about the dance company’s objectives and mission to promote innovative and thought-provoking work from a diverse range of established and emerging choreographers. Musician Andrew Tufano shared some of his work, and spoke about the abilities available to artists in the today’s expanding freelance marketplace. “What I am saying is the breadth of one person’s potential has widened,” said Tufano.
THE FOUR HOUR event’s final speakers included chief strategic consultant of Stokefire Tate Linden, executive director of the Council for the Arts of Herndon Signe Friedrichs, CEO and founder of Organic Bronzing Station Jennifer Wignall, and Manager of School District Sustainability with U.S. Green Building Council Anisa B. Metzger. Some of the presenters had never spoken publicly before, and yet still came to Tedx Herndon to share their stories.
“It is my hope that today's event will lead to more ideas and more actions that make Herndon and the world a better place,” said Mayor Merkel, who closed the event.