Sam Stevens is a senior at Brattleboro Union High School (BUHS) and has participated in as well as led youth activism projects. Under his two years of leadership of the BUHS student group Civic Leadership, Education, and Action Project (CLEA) Sam has led students from education to action projects on local and global issues.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event:

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, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. 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)

The first panel, "The Intersection of Art x Activism: Using your Voice as a Tool for Change, moderated by Teen Vogue editor Elaine Welteroth in conversation with Rowan Blanchard, Yara Shahidi, and Grace Dunham. A discussion on the importance of asking questions, the different manifestations of self-expression, and the unlimited wisdom of James Baldwin.

On The Stream: The impact art has on political activism and the cultural changes made when the two collide.

A graduate from the UTSC journalism program, Emily Hunter has graced the world stage with her empowering and innovative work as an environmental advocacy journalist, who is constantly reporting throughout the climax of global activist movements. The daughter of Robert Hunter, first president and co-founder of Greenpeace, Emily has had a rich career in protecting our earth and combating climate change and animal abuse.

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, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. 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)

FPIW sent a camera crew to Tacoma to document an event that was organized to foster dialogue between LGBT activists and those working for privacy and safety in locker rooms.

What ensued was anything but 'civil discussion'. See for yourself the tactics that trans-activists use to shut down conversation.

Due to strong language, viewer discretion is advised.

“Kerry Convening” Conference “Closing Plenary:
Citizen Engagement & Activism”
Moderator: Secretary John Kerry
Speaker: Leonardo DiCaprio, United Nations Messenger of Peace for Climate

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Marcus Ellsworth will be taking a look at how art can become a road map for progress as we ask the question "What Now?" Citing examples from world history as well as Chattanooga's present, Marcus will pose the idea that one of the best ways to answer that question is by looking at the creative output of Chattanooga’s citizens. The answers can be found in the music, writing, and even the graffiti of Chattanooga’s most under-served populations. We can use art to engage in meaningful discussions and purposeful action to make Chattanooga better for everyone.

Marcus Ellsworth is a spoken word artist and emcee working in the Chattanooga area. He hosts and organizes Wide Open Floor, a monthly open mic performance art showcase at Barking Legs Theater. He is also the president of Tennessee Valley Pride and co-chair for Tennessee Equality Project’s Hamilton and Bradley County Committee.

Marcus has spent much of the past eight years honing his skills as an artist and working to help build community around art and issues of social justice.


About TEDx, x = independently organized event 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, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. 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)

This video is the first episode in a series about activism by meta-activism.org.