Sometimes, big change begins with something as small as a bee.
Pollinators — bees, butterflies, beetles, flies, and more — are the invisible workforce behind our food, our flowers, even our forests. Without them, plants don’t grow. And yet, these tiny creatures are vanishing at alarming rates.
The good news? You can help. And it only takes 15 minutes.
One plant, one simple act
This August, TEDxAtlanta is teaming up with the University of Georgia’s Great Southeast Pollinator Census. It’s a citizen science project where everyone can make a real difference.
Here’s how it works:
Find a blooming plant. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Watch closely. Every time a pollinator lands, you count.
That’s it. No fancy equipment. No biology degree. Just your eyes, a clipboard, and a willingness to notice what so many of us overlook.
Why your count matters
Every observation becomes data that scientists, planners, and conservationists use to protect pollinators and the ecosystems they sustain. Your 15 minutes feeds into something much bigger, showing where pollinators are thriving and where they need help.
Local hands, global impact — the kind of idea that belongs on a TEDxAtlanta stage.
Join us
Bring your curiosity, your family, and maybe a sunhat. We’ll meet on Saturday, 23 August, from 10 a.m. to noon at Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Rd NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. You’ll get a quick briefing and a guide to help you tell a bee from a fly, then you’re off to count.
Because small actions can lead to big changes. And change starts with you.
Click here to RSVP today and count yourself in!
Three women, one mission: to redesign fashion for people and the planet.
What if the future of fashion isn’t just about what we wear, but how we live?
At Exploring Innovations in Sustainable Fashion, hosted by Ideas into Action in collaboration with Georgia State University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute and Creative Media Industries Institute, that question came to life through bold ideas, unexpected materials and a shared commitment to doing things differently. Set against the backdrop of Atlanta Tech Week, the evening brought together creatives, entrepreneurs and researchers who are transforming the fashion industry with science, intention and heart.
Mindful manufacturing, without the waste
For Tia Robinson, sustainability starts with mindfulness. After years as a certified meditation instructor—and a thriving career in communications—she launched Vertical Activewear, a size-inclusive, sustainable apparel brand rooted in her own personal values. But when COVID disrupted the supply chain, Tia took matters into her own hands—literally—by bringing manufacturing in-house.
Her vertically integrated, on-demand model eliminates the guesswork and overproduction contributing to fashion’s staggering waste problem: 30 to 40% of all garments never sell. Vertical’s B2B membership model allows brands to produce only what they need, while its direct-to-consumer line blends bold design with fit education to reduce returns. No inventory. No landfill overflow. Just slow, smart growth.
From the lab: fashion grown from fungi
Mya Love Griesbaum, a Georgia Tech materials science student and founder of Mycorrhiza Fashion, is growing the future—one mycelial thread at a time. In her lab, white rot fungi break down plastic waste and grow into a leather-like biomaterial. The result? A durable, biodegradable alternative to traditional leather and synthetics, without the environmental cost of livestock or petrochemicals.
What began as a bioremediation research project has evolved into a biomaterials startup that blends fashion, science and environmental justice. Each prototype tells a story—not just of circularity and innovation, but of aesthetics shaped by nature itself. “One of the most loved features,” Mya shared, “is the patterning. Designers don’t see flaws—they see beauty.”
Upcycling meets activism
Tanjuria Willis, founder of Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week, didn’t begin her career in the fashion world. An electrical engineer by training, she was driven into action after her infant daughter experienced unexplained health issues linked to toxic textile chemicals. That journey led her to research, then advocacy, and finally to founding a platform that celebrates local makers and educates the public on how fashion affects our health and environment.
Her wearable designs speak volumes—literally. Tanjuria showcased pieces made from construction fencing, lanyards, game day banners and recycled textiles. Her mission is clear: reduce waste, elevate craft and make sustainability accessible. Through workshops, repair cafés and partnerships, her team empowers others to reuse, reimagine and create beauty from the discarded.
Real questions, real change
The panelists didn’t just present ideas—they invited dialogue. And the audience delivered.
How can we tell if a brand is greenwashing?
Mya pointed to misleading labels and vague claims—like garments tagged “100% recycled” that refer only to the label itself. Tanjuria and Tia recommended sites like Good On You and Remake.world, as well as reviewing factory certifications and supply chain transparency.
Does changing 10% of our purchases really make a difference?
Yes. Buying even one of every ten garments from an on-demand or sustainable source can shift retail behavior, reduce waste and signal demand for better practices. Multiply that by millions of consumers, and the impact grows.
What if sustainable fashion feels too expensive or inaccessible?
“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” Tanjuria said. “Start where you are.” Whether it’s upcycling a T-shirt into a tote or choosing one mindful purchase, small actions can have a ripple effect.
What’s next for the future of fashion?
The speakers pointed to a convergence of technology, biology and design—from AI-powered patternmaking and 3D printing to compostable fabrics and regenerative sourcing. The shared goal? A fashion industry that heals more than it harms.
The power of small shifts
Sustainable fashion isn’t a trend—it’s a transformation. And it’s being led by people who aren’t waiting for permission to build something better.
As the evening closed, the message was clear: We all have a role to play. Whether you’re a designer, a student, a shopper or a scientist, the future of fashion is something you can influence—one purchase, one question, one idea at a time.
Want to get involved?
Follow the work of Vertical Activewear, Mycorrhiza Fashion, and Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week
Try the 10% shift: buy just one in ten items from a sustainable source
Rethink, repair or repurpose what’s already in your closet
Fashion shapes culture. Let’s shape it with care.
For all current TEDx volunteers, whether you represent a city, a state, a campus, or somewhere in between, the goal remains the same: to connect, educate, and empower local communities to research, discover, and share ideas worth spreading.
This past weekend, a TEDx regional workshop was hosted at Punchline Comedy Club in Atlanta, Georgia, and it was nothing short of inspiring. It was collaborative, energizing, and full of opportunities to connect with other passionate volunteers and organizers.
In general, TEDx regional workshops are all about expanding collective knowledge and preparing your teams to make an even greater impact at your next TEDx event. It’s a space for sharing ideas, successes, and failures. Over the course of the day, connections were made, valuable experiences shared, and a sense of renewed purpose took shape—one that will surely carry over into future events. The reason we all ultimately show up, the potential to further impact on our communities, was advanced in real time.
Subject Matter Covered
The possibilities for topics at a TEDx regional workshop are endless. One of the best parts of this one was how naturally the information flowed. We discussed everything from:
These topics were explored both in theory and through lived experience, with seasoned TEDx organizers sharing what they’ve learned over the years. It was just as much about what didn’t work as it was about what did. Those hard-earned lessons became some of the most invaluable takeaways.
The group session structure created space for impactful, live discussion with questions raised, answers brainstormed, and solutions offered from multiple perspectives. From the start, it was interactive and immersive. Newer organizers brought curiosity and a fresh perspective. Veterans offered grounded, real-world insight. Everyone had something to learn and something to contribute. That’s the kind of feedback you can take home and immediately put into practice. TEDx is all about collaboration, and the openness, honesty, and generosity in the room made that spirit unmistakeable.
Collaboration
What made this workshop feel especially valuable was the variety of people in the room. Each person brought something unique to the table. Whether you’re organizing in a small town or a big city, the shared goal is always to create something meaningful that meets people where they are. Each independently organized group brought different TEDx realities: different-sized events, different audiences, different local challenges. Still, it all synced up, and everyone walked away with something new.
It’s energizing to be reminded that you’re part of something bigger. That feeling of unity and common purpose is what makes being part of the TEDx community so powerful.
Final Thoughts
If we had to sum up the takeaway? We’re all trying and committed to improving. Not just at planning and executing events, but at building community, uplifting voices that matter, and keeping the TEDx mission moving forward city by city, campus by campus, story by story. That’s why workshops like this are so important.
Every TEDx team faces its own unique set of challenges. Yet, across those differences, we all come back to the same question: How can we do this better? That shared curiosity and that commitment to growth are one of the many things that unite us all.
Our surprise guest, Steve Carse, co-founder and CEO of King of Pops, drove this point home. He reminded us that building something meaningful is rarely linear and that generosity, joy, and purpose aren’t extras, but essentials to the journey. (Yes of course, he brought pops!)
So here’s to the late-night planning sessions, the speaker coaching marathons, the fight to find the right venue, the unexpected tech hiccups that keep us on our toes, and the sense of satisfaction when it all somehow comes together. Here’s to the countless emails, the endless edits, the awkward icebreakers that turn into real friendships. And here’s to the idea that no matter how many events we’ve done, there’s always more to learn and there’s always someone willing to help.
Until the next one!
It’s been 15 years since Atlanta was introduced to the first cohort of local thinkers, doers and storytellers on this local TEDx stage — 15 years of shaping the future we create together. And there was no better way to celebrate this journey than with TEDxAtlanta’s annual mainstage conference on February 28.
It was a day of inspirational ideas, deep connections and immersive experiences that opened our hearts and minds to possibilities. From groundbreaking innovations to deeply human stories, each block of the day unfolded new dimensions of insight—all shaping the future we create together.
“The ideas shared this year remind us that the future isn’t something that happens to us; it’s something we create together. We are not passengers on a train speeding to an uncertain destination. We are conductors,” says TEDxAtlanta Licensee Jacqui Chew.
Through four sessions of thought-provoking talks and performances: boldly leaping into the unknown and unfamiliar, reimagining pathways to a sustainable future, connecting the non-obvious dots and embracing humanity’s full potential—TEDxAtlanta 2025 set free 16 bold ideas toward the future we create.
The Future We Create, In Which We Boldly Leap
Session one kicked off with stories of audacious moves, pioneering breakthroughs and fearless decisions that reshape industries and lives.
And, what better way to cap off session one than with a flash parade featuring band members from the Black Sheep Ensemble!
The Future We Create, In Which We Reimagine Pathways to a Sustainable Future
Thought leaders explored bold solutions, from cutting-edge technology to everyday choices that redefine our relationship with the planet.
The Future We Create, In Which We Connect the Dots
Ideas in this session each live at a multitude of crossroads surfacing the unexpected and the inspired with a reminder of our common humanity.
SolDance kicked off this block with a rejuvenating activity, setting an energizing tone.
The Future We Create, In Which We Embrace Humanity’s Full Potential
Closing the day, these talks celebrated resilience, creativity, and the power of human connection to shape a better future.
Elyse Naoma Haskell, AKA Naoma, closed out the day with an electrifying performance inviting the entire team and all attendees to literally and figuratively danced together to create our shared future.
None of this would be possible without the support of our partners. This year, we had the privilege of reconnecting with past collaborators while also forging new relationships.
Powered by Community
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers, whose dedication and hard work brought TEDxAtlanta 2025 to life. From seamless logistics to creating a welcoming experience, their efforts made every moment possible. A special thank you to Co-organizer Sophie whose operational leadership and passion ensured logistics ran like clock-work and to Licensee Jacqui whose ideas curation, X-Zone experiences and speaker coaching shaped an unforgettable day of connections and conversation.
This is Just the Beginning
This year’s conference was a milestone, made special by the future-facing ideas that inspired everyone in attendance. Speakers, sponsors, and participants are all part of something bigger—the future we create together.
TEDxAtlanta isn’t just an event; it’s a year-round community. Through talks, interactive events, and networking, we keep the conversation going. Stay connected and be part of the future we create.
The power of ideas is undeniable. They spark innovation, inspire action, and bring communities together. At TEDxAtlanta, our mission is to provide a platform for transformative ideas and conversations. On February 28, 2025, we invite you to help amplify this mission by sponsoring a student to attend our event, TEDxAtlanta 2025, at Center Stage.
Students are the changemakers of tomorrow. By giving them the gift of learning and inspiration, you’re opening doors to new perspectives and connections that can shape their future. Your sponsorship makes it possible for young minds to join a day filled with thought-provoking talks, networking opportunities, and a community united by ideas worth spreading.
Sponsoring is easy: simply click here, select “Buy Your Tickets Now” and then “Sponsor A Student,” and make a direct impact.
Are you a student eager to attend TEDxAtlanta 2025? We’d love to have you join us! Apply for a scholarship using your .edu email here. Scholarships provide access to the full day of events, making it easier for students to engage with speakers and connect with a like-minded community.
As a community-supported, all-volunteer nonprofit, every ticket sale and sponsorship directly supports the success of our events. Proceeds underwrite critical costs like venue rental, production, catering, and year-round programming designed to make TEDxAtlanta accessible to everyone.
Your support ensures that TEDxAtlanta continues to thrive, delivering not only an unforgettable annual conference but also workshops, talks, and community events throughout the year.
Together, let’s inspire the leaders of tomorrow. Sponsor a student, share this opportunity, and join us on February 28, 2025, for a day of ideas, collaboration, and connection.
We can’t wait to see you there!
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Tech is the southeast United States’ first Living Building, earning the world’s most ambitious green building certification in 2021.This pioneering structure, made possible by a $30 million grant, showcases regenerative design principles and serves as a model for environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic development. With features like a 330-kilowatt solar canopy providing 225% of its energy needs, rainwater harvesting, and chemical-free materials, the Kendeda Building treats stormwater, conserves potable water, and lowers flood risks. It also promotes universal access through an accessible ramp design.
The building hosts exhibitions celebrating gender equality, sustainability, and diverse perspectives, fostering a space for reimagining the future through art and technology. Its biophilic design connects occupants with nature, incorporating elements like exposed wood, natural light, and a rooftop garden with beehives and pollinator plants. As a living laboratory, the Kendeda Building inspires students and industry professionals to continually innovate and raise the bar for sustainable, equitable, and regenerative design.
The Kendeda Building’s innovative design and commitment to sustainability make it the perfect venue to host the upcoming TEDxAtlanta Salon focused on the transition to clean energy. We are thrilled to partner with the Georgia Tech community to facilitate thought-provoking discussions that will inspire attendees and further the important work of sustainability.
This event is a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the remarkable features of the southeast’s first Living Building, from its 330-kilowatt solar canopy to its rooftop beehives, and to explore the complexities of the clean energy transition.
To see more photos of the building, visit our Flickr.
Thank you to our sponsors, ATDC and PIN.
ATLANTA — TEDxAtlanta, Georgia’s largest TED affiliate, is pleased to announce its 2024 mainstage conference will be held at Center Stage Atlanta, the iconic performing arts, music, and live entertainment venue that has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s arts community since 1966.
The conference, themed “The Future We Create,” is Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. It promises to be a day thought-provoking conversations and ideas sharing by encouraging attendees to immerse themselves into a future world that they envision where technology and nature complement each other, where heritage and custom give rise to innovation, and where people, neighborhoods, or communities can find mutual understanding.
“Center Stage is such an important part of Atlanta’s rich cultural legacy and a commemoratory space to its arts community,” said said Jacqui Chew, TEDxAtlanta licensee and curator. “For nearly 60 years, Center Stage has served as the home for artists, musicians, and others who, through their art, brought us on journeys harnessed and expanded our imaginations. We’re honored to present our mainstage event here at such an historic venue.”
Center Stage, which opened in 1966, was originally called Theatre Atlanta. It was built by Frania Tye Lee and dedicated to the memory of her daughter, Helen Lee Cartledge, who was one of 103 Atlanta Art Association members who were killed when Air France Flight 007 crashed moments after takeoff at the Orly Airport in 1962.
The venue has been home to many iconic performers, artists, and musicians, including Sir Elton John, Jay-Z, and Lady Gaga.
Event Details
Date: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
Time: 9 am – 6:15 pm
Location: Center Stage Atlanta, 1374 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309
Theme: The Future We Will Create
For more information about volunteer opportunities click here. Interested in supporting TEDxAtlanta 2024 as an in-kind or financial partner? Email hello@tedxatlanta.com.
About TEDxAtlanta
The TEDxAtlanta conference series is an initiative of Ideas into Action, a Georgia-registered nonprofit founded on the belief in the power of ideas to build stronger communities. Along with interactive experiences throughout the year, the TEDxAtlanta event series is planned by a team of volunteers led by Atlanta entrepreneur and TEDxAtlanta licensee Jacqui Chew. These community-led gatherings are part of TED’s TEDx program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Since the first TEDxAtlanta conference in 2009 more than 20 speakers have been featured by TED to be amplified globally from a catalog of 200,000 TEDx Talks. For more information, visit TEDxAtlanta.com.
About TEDx
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.)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, often in the form of short talks delivered by leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED Conferences, intimate TED Salons, and thousands of independently organized TEDx events around the world. Videos of these talks are made available, free, on TED.com and other platforms. Audio versions of TED Talks are published to TED Talks Daily, available on all podcast platforms.
TED’s open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; TEDx, which licenses thousands of individuals and groups to host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities; The Audacious Project, which surfaces and funds critical ideas that have the potential to impact millions of lives; TED Translators Program, which crowdsources the subtitling of TED Talks so that big ideas can spread across languages and borders; and the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED also offers TED@Work a program that reimagines TED Talks for workplace learning. TED also has a growing library of original podcasts, including The TED Interview with Chris Anderson, WorkLife with Adam Grant, Far Flung with Saleem Reshamwala and How to Be a Better Human.
Follow TED on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Péralte C. Paul
peralte@gmail.com
Last Friday 500 attendees opened their hearts and their minds for a day of learning, inspiration, community and celebration. Sixteen innovative ideas and four performances that raised our pulses and hearts were set free on the TEDxAtlanta 2023 stage.
The women of ConunDrums opened the show with Funga Alafia, a rousing West African folk song of welcome that got the audience’s blood pumping as they rose to their feet in dance and song.
The opening session explored the works of laryngologist Dr. Anthony Law and electrical engineer Omer Inan, respectively, to establish voice and joint sounds as new biomarkers of health. Both gave us fresh perspective on what the sounds that we make can tell us about our health.
Entrepreneurship researcher Susan Cohen offered fascinating insights into the co-making of advice between startup founders and mentors. Closing the session was filmmaker Rob Hardy’s journey of breaking negative intergenerational patterns to foster deeper father-son bonds.
The second session celebrated the resilience of the human spirit and the innovations that are possible when we recast adversity as opportunities to improve the human condition.
Not only did award-winning jewelry designer Sydney Scherr not look away when she encountered two little girls in the child trafficking trade while on vacation, she developed the three ‘Vs” of vacation, volunteerism and vocational training as a novel approach to stemming the scourge of child re-trafficking. Isabel González Whitaker shared the spectrum of civic activities between voting and running for office that we could all engage in to uphold and protect our democracy. Anant Madabhushi shared his ground-breaking research that promises to revolutionize and democratize precision medicine in the field of cancer treatment and finally, Dr. Monisha Pujari offered a poignantly tender perspective on death.
Capping off the moving and sometimes emotional session was the mesmerizing performance by Indian classical music duo Amol Khanapurkar & Sai Ravisankar.
Non-obvious interdependencies and their impact on our lives and the world around us were the foci of Session 3.
Marine biologist Alistair Dove kicked off the session with a playful but insight glimpse of the world’s largest fish: The Whale Shark. His five lessons that human could learn from whale sharks were a crowd pleaser and his talk was met with an enthusiastic standing ovation.
Gerry Chen brought the next level in artist-robot collaboration to life with his invention GTGrafitti, a cable-based robot designed to enable muralists to unleash their creative vision free from the dangers of making large scale art. Staying with the concept of collaboration, Debra Lam shared her vision for solving the world’s most pressing problems: hyperlocal, community-centered collaboration. Finally, the audience gave a standing ovation to Joe Bankoff’s talk on the unintended consequences of gerrymandering, the threat to our democracy and community-centered voting districts.
Emerging hip hop talent JahWill Fannings closed out the session with a rousing performance of original music We Gotta Do Better.
The fourth and final session of the day, The Future of Us featured ideas both micro and macro to overcome the frustrations and loneliness that arise from of modern living.
Leading off was Andrew McConnell whose zero-based calendar concept as a means to retake ownership of our time and our minds resonated with the audience. Kris Braman’s ode to pollinator health reframed our perception of bees – from nuisance bugs to natural food diversity allies.
Moe Ari Brown and Tara Stoinski closed out the day of ideas. Therapist Moe Ari shared the importance of identity, acceptance and belonging through the lens of his personal transgender journey inspiring us to live our lives as our authentic selves. Primatologist Tara drew the uncanny parallels between gorillas and humans and the positive effects of strong social ties for both species underscoring the power of community regardless of species.
JahWill Fannings concluded the day with a two-song performance. First, a recap rap highlighting all of the speakers and encouraging the audience to participate chanting “together, we rise” and the dance along finale, “Jump” wherein he invited the TEDxAtlanta team and audience members to join him on stage.
In addition to the fantastic line up, we were treated to a variety of interactive experiences during the conversation breaks between speaker sessions. These took place in the common areas at the Rialto Center for Arts which were collectively known as the X Zone.
If there was one takeaway from TEDxAtlanta 2023, it would be the power of community and togetherness. We are the future and with innovation, there is nothing that we can’t accomplish-as one community. Together, we truly rise.
We’re excited to announce that TEDxAtlanta will be held on May 19, 2023 at the Rialto Center for the Arts in downtown Atlanta. Designed around the theme, “We Rise” the one-day event will explore bold initiatives, visionary ideas and stories of triumph and resilience.
“As we collectively navigate the uncertainties of our time, the 2023 theme We Rise is a celebration of resilience and human ingenuity in the face of adversity,” says Jacqui Chew, entrepreneur and TEDxAtlanta licensee. “Our all-volunteer team is back in action after a well-deserved break from presenting the sold-out TEDxAtlantaWomen conference in 2022 and we look forward to creating a day of deep connections and new experiences for all joining us for TEDxAtlanta 2023.”
From democratizing cancer treatment to the art and science of starting something new to a new twist on volunteerism, this year’s eclectic lineup of 18 thinkers, changemakers and trailblazers reimagine artistic expression, disease detection, civic engagement, biodiversity and more.
On behalf of the 2022 TEDxAtlantaWomen team, I am excited to share that tickets for the inaugural TEDxAtlantaWomen conference to be held on Friday, November 4, 2022 were sold-out over the weekend. A link to the free livestream of the conference will available at www.tedxatlanta.com on November 4.
The team and I are thrilled at the response! This is the earliest – a full month before the event – that a TEDxAtlanta event has been sold-out.
Ten presenters will take the stage to share their vision of building a more inclusive and equitable world where girls and women can spread their wings and truly Soar. An exploration of the Theory of Mind, a deeply personal journey on the transformative power of the arts, a unique perspective on building resilient food systems and a surprising take on housing are just some of the topics that will shared.
We encourage those who are tuning in to the livestream to share photos of their viewing party on their favorite social media channels with the hashtags #TEDxATLWomen and #Soar.
Jacqui Chew
TEDxAtlanta Licensee