14 Fredericksburg Locals to Speak at TEDx Event This Saturday

Inspirational. Fascinating. Beautiful. These are just a few words used to describe TED talks and its local, independently organized spin-off TEDx.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, thanks to Edward E. Drew Junior Middle School teacher Eric Herod, the organization dedicated to “ideas worth spreading” will be coming to Fredericksburg.

Herod brings local entrepreneurs and Fredericksburg residents together in Fredericksburg’s first TEDx event at Drew Middle School, 501 Cambridge St. in Fredericksburg. The school opens its doors Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for the event that starts at 10 a.m. and ends around 4 p.m.

This is only the first in what Drew Middle School teacher and event organizer Eric Herod hopes will become an annual speaker series.

The theme for this year is “What Can I Do? Improve. Invent. Inspire.” and features 14 Fredericksburg area entrepreneurs who will speak throughout the day. There will be three sessions with intermissions and lunch provided by Caroline Street Catering.

This year’s speakers include:

• Gabriel Pons: a mixed-media artist based out of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
• Anna Johnson: owner of SACKdress, a one size fits all custom convertible dress shop on Etsy.
• Tramia Jackson: Director of Education and Public Programs at the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center.
• Rahmein Mostafavi: an actor and comedian who produces and hosts a monthly show in Downtown Fredericksburg and at the old prison in Lorton.
• Jamie Summerlin: who ran across the United States at age 39, completing the equivalent of 132 back-to-back marathons in 100 days.
• Dyan deNapoli: a penguin expert, TED speaker, and award-winning author.
• Melvin Brown: owner of VideoMann Productions.
• Dayna Klein: the Major Gifts and Grant Manager for the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank.
• Luke Wright: a motivational speaker who empowers people to bridge the gap from where they are to where they want to be.
• Sarah Crain: the Literacy Coach at Mountain View High School.
• Abby Carbone: a Full International Baccalaureate (IB) senior at Mountain View High School.
• Mirinda Reynolds: a street artist, oil painter and art educator.
• Abbas Haider and Robert Davis: who together invented America’s first bullet-resistant suit.

Tickets for the TEDx event can be purchased online and are available for $25 for Educators, $30 for Non-Educators and $8 for students.

image via Eva Blue, Flickr