What TEDxJacksonville means to me

Many of you have heard me talk about my work with TEDxJacksonville but I don't think everyone understands the role it plays in my life. I was first introduced to TEDxJacksonville in the summer 2012 when a dear friend decided to move to Colorado. Jessica was my saving grace in Jacksonville. I had been a resident for a little over six months and was very unsure if I could call this city my home. I met her before I moved and our friendship made me believe I could make the city mine. She knew that TEDx could serve to be my portal to other likeminded people and help me keep my sanity.

She was right. I joined the organization in its first year, when it was known as TEDxRiversideAvondale. I thought I would get to meet some interesting people and help as needed but I ended up getting immersed as soon as Asghar and I got back from our honeymoon. I met so many dedicated change agents, many who I proudly call friends now. They helped me see the city’s potential. They made me realize that I could get involved and actually be the change I wished to see.

Moving to the bible belt was my choice but I assumed certain things would be a given in a moderately large city like Jacksonville. I thought there would be tolerance and diversity. I thought the city would be open to new ideas and innovations. The reality was different. The city faced many challenges: no human rights ordinance, racism towards a respectable member of the human rights commission, lack of accessible public transportation and a lack of a vibrant downtown, amongst many other things. In many ways it felt like I had gone back in time and the city’s citizens were choosing to live in a bubble and ignore the progress being made in other cities across the country. 

But it wasn't  just about the city. It was also about me. I didn’t realize what being a change agent really meant. Growing up in New York, I took the city’s policies and amenities for granted. As a teenager, I volunteered at the library and in soup kitchens and assumed that was all that was needed from me. I didn't think about the big picture. I was comfortable with the little I was doing and spending my remaining time with friends and family exploring the city. I wasn’t challenged.

TEDxJacksonville made me realize that leaving my comfort zone was the best thing I could ever do. When there was nobody around for me to spend time with, I actually spent my time figuring out where I could be most useful. I finally got plugged in. I learned about the city and its resources and treasures, its pitfalls and challenges. But teaching myself wasn’t enough. What was I going to do with the information?

I realized that sharing my views and newfound inspiration with other was the best thing I could do. Providing this information in simple and entertaining TEDx events allowed other citizens of Jacksonville to get plugged in and decide where they wanted to help or at the very at least enabled them to learn more on topics of interest and allowed them to make decisions for themselves. It completely takes over my life between the months of August and October and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  It allows me to help brilliant people with powerful ideas have a platform to share them with others. The best part is seeing all 350 audience member leave the live conference feeling hopeful, encouraged and believing they can lead or at least support the change they want to see. 

I have seen myself and my city transform over my three years as Jacksonville's resident. I have witnessed everyday people influence the culture and help challenge the norms. I have seen myself transform into someone who sees the power of ideas and the potential all around me. It is so easy to be a naysayer and assume things will always be difficult to change. But change starts with small shifts and its ripple effects have the power to go beyond what we ever imagined. 

To everyone who sees all the wrong around them, I challenge you to actually do something about it instead of running away from of it or assuming that it isn’t your problem. I promise the feeling of accomplishment afterwards will be unlike anything you have ever experienced. 

My week at TEDActive

I arrived to Canada not knowing what to expect at TEDActive. The anticipation had been building for months. The attendees had been connected to one another through our group Facebook page and TED Connect, TED’s app for the conference. I felt like I knew at least a dozen or so attendees pretty well but I also did not know them at all. Would I just be able to walk up to them and say hi and expect them to know me?

The conference officially started on Monday, March 17^th, but the experiences started many days prior. As attendees started arriving into Vancouver, they started hosting lunches, dinners, and other activities to get to know one another.

I arrived Saturday morning to a rainy Vancouver and was welcomed by TED’s lollipop sign at the airport and it’s banners downtown. My first introduction to the lovely people attending the conference was Ibrahim. Ibrahim was Doug’s roommate in Vancouver and one of the people I had met on Facebook. He was born in Norway and raised in Sudan and his family is from Somalia. Not more than 25 years old, he has already shifted careers from an oil engineer to a filmmaker. We got to know each other pretty well over the course of the week and what I love about Ibrahim is his ability to find a way to connect with anybody and everybody. At the end of the week, he had multiple people referring to themselves as his mom, sister, and brother.  I know I will be seeing him again.

For TEDx organizers, the events kicked off on Saturday. We were treated to a behind the scenes look at the TED conference in Vancouver. This included a 3D printer, a first class seat experience by Delta, a mini printing press by Target and all the interactive engagement stations created by TED. We also got to see the one of a kind brand new theater and watch some pretty phenomenal speakers rehearse. The wooden theater was built just for the event and will be packed away until next year.  Before leaving for our next venue, we were welcomed and thanked by Chris Anderson, the man behind TED, himself. It was a wonderful way to start the day.

We were reminded over and over again to be prepared for a workshop on a snowy mountain. That mountain was Grouse, located 30 minutes outside of downtown Vancouver. We arrived to rain and snow and went up the mountain for our workshop. Some opted to ice skate during our down time while others decided to remain indoors and enjoy the heat. I opted to snow shoe for the first time. It was a fun way to prepare for the weather in Whistler! The workshop was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and challenges with fellow TEDx organizers and learn from one another. Doug, Asghar and I came out with loads of fresh new ideas for our event on Oct 25.

Next up Whistler!

Whistler is about 2 hours north of Vancouver and is a resort town located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. TED describes TEDActive as, “a place to find opportunities to awaken latent creativity and let you rediscover the joy of making something with your own hands. Included in the TEDActive mix are TED leaders from around the world who are helping to foster TED's mission of spreading ideas: Volunteer translators, independent TEDx event organizers, TED Prize wish contributors and past TED Fellows.” I would say it’s the fun and less stuffy version of the TED conference.

I felt like a freshmen entering an adult summer camp of about 700 attendees. There were veterans that knew everyone and what to do at all times and then there were people like me, new to the experience and trying to go to every single thing so we would not miss a thing. What happened next changed me. I was constantly reminded to fight for what’s right and to always always chase my dreams.

Chris Hadfield encouraged me to conquer my fear.

David Kwong taught me human beings are wired to solve, to make order out of chaos and therefore we should never be afraid of accepting a challenge.

Amanda Burden made me think of Jacksonville and how much its leaders need to take the long view, a view for the common good.

Zak Ibrahim woke me up. He reminded me that violence is not inherent to one’s religion or race.

Charmian Gooch made us all rally behind her wish to end anonymous countries. Even took a selfie with us!

Hugh Herr showed me a person can never be broken.

Lawrence Lessig made me admire him immensely for taking on campaign finance reform.

Elizabeth Gilbert reminded us all that home is whatever in this world you love more than yourself.

Ed Yong made me love science all over again by showing me that parasites actually control us all!  

Sarah Lewis told us that it is in our nature to thrive not when we have done it all, but when we still have more to do.

Isabel Allende reminded us that society decides when we get old but the spirit never ages.  She also made me visualize Antonio Banderas lying on a tortilla.

Shaka Senghor encouraged us to change the prison system because it is currently designed to warehouse rather than reform people.

Simon Sinek made us realize that leadership is a choice, not a rank. Leaders choose to sacrifice and take the risk.

Kevin Briggs made me aware of the harsh reality of suicide and to always be available to listen.

Joi Ito eloquently stated education is what people do to you, learning is what you do for yourself, and to focus on the now rather than the past or the future.

Andrew Solomon made me feel tears of joy with his simple message: forge meaning, build identity.

Finally, Gabby Giffords showed me what resilience looks like. Her message was simple, get involved in your community, be a leader, set an example.

These were just the talks. Then there were the interviews with Edward Snowden, Richard Ledgett (director of NSA) and Larry Page. All of which were brilliant and made me feel extremely honored to support an organization that can make them all happen.

Most importantly, there were the people. My initial fears of how the week would go were put to rest as soon as the conference started. It didn't matter who was from where or how many of conferences they had attended, everyone was welcomed with a smile and it was as if we were all long lost friends. These were the most amazing people I have ever met in my entire life. They came from 65 countries and took my breath away.  They were open, welcoming, creative, brilliant and doers. I know that each and every one of them will change the world for the better. Some of them were TEDx organizers in countries where it is extremely difficult to cut through the red tape. They were from Uganda, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Egypt. They put on TEDx events and hope to change their communities for the better. I commend them and am in awe of them. 

TEDActive wasn’t just a conference. It was a life experience. I came back a different person, one who sees from a fresh new perspective and believes everything is possible.

I can’t wait to go back.