TEDxCharleston Returns After Two-Year Hiatus

After a two-year hiatus, TEDxCharleston today announced its return to the live stage, reigniting an 8-year tradition of the localized version of the world-famous TED event that draws together people to share “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Under the theme of “Cascades,” the 2022 event picks up where the 2020 gathering left off, with a half-day of inspiring, thought-provoking, and entertaining speakers and performers from the Charleston community. 

The 2022 edition of TEDxCharleston will take place at the Charleston Music Hall on John Street on March 23rd, beginning at 12:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now.

The scheduled lineup for TEDxCharleston 2022 includes:

• Raven Saunders, Olympic silver medalist in the Tokyo Games and a true hometown hero
• Chris Singleton, former pro baseball player who suffered the loss of his mother in the Emmanuel Nine tragedy
• Sam Norton, who is pioneering a new approach to sustainable agriculture by using saltwater cultivation techniques
• Karen Perlmutter, an expert on the impact addiction has on families
• Jody Bell: When this College of Charleston freshman was in high school, she noticed good friends suddenly not coming to school out of fear for their undocumented parents. Jody will share her idea to help educate this growing, often overlooked population
• Jared Bramblett: Flooding is escalating and solutions are daunting. Jared, an engineer and expert on issues relating to drainage and flood mitigation, sees the need for increasing collective awareness on sea-level rise impact and modifying approaches to the accelerating risks
• Charleston Symphony: Members of this renowned symphony honor another 2020 anniversary: Beethoven’s 250th. Performers include Joseph Eller, Brandon Nichols, Quinn Delaney, Yuriy Bekker, Jan-Marie Joyce, Norbert Lewandowski, Taddes Korris
• Zandrina Dunning & Stephen Washington: A Boston-born, Charleston-based classically trained singer/songwriter who ranges joins a native son of the Low Country who is a piano virtuoso. Together the talented duo will debut an original work inspired by the Cascades theme
• Austin Fitzhenry: Enamored with biology from an early age, Austin looks to nature for clues on improving our own human behavior. Using snakes as an example, he shows how environmental responsibility can naturally bridge better social interaction among humans
• Jane Kelly, a noted epidemiologist who has been on the front line of COVID-19 in the Lowcountry through her role with DHEC
• Gracie & Lacy: Talented performers, song writers and creators whose work honors their Charleston roots, this dynamic duo will present with their unique style an original piece honoring the 350th Anniversary of Charleston
• Jacquelyn Nagel: The old saying holds true: we can learn from nature. Jacquelyn, a PhD in mechanical engineering, believes inspiration through biomimicry can lead to realistic and feasible solutions using nature as a guide
• Kristy Pierce-Danford: A director of Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) since its inception, Kristy has seen how diminishing resources and inadequate prisons and jails present growing challenges on the horizon
• Russell Reagan: Must the grass always be greener? Expert horticultural scientist and experienced landscaper Russell thinks there are more options than having a lush, green lawn, which in the long run may do more harm to our environment.
• John Rhodes: Becoming a physician is hard enough, but MUSC cardiologist John proves that overcoming dyslexia, attention deficit and other processing deficits is not an insurmountable task to achieve your dreams
• Steven Rosenzweig: A happy accident in the lab can lead to incredible advances in the treatment of cancer and dementia. This MUSC researcher, Steven, a PhD from the University of Toronto and former staff at Yale Medical School, provides more
• Keith Smalls: The only formerly incarcerated member of Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), Keith’s 19 years in prison’s punishment and rehabilitation process taught him what doesn’t work
• LB Adams: A crowd favorite last year, LB returns as mistress of ceremonies. Fresh off her 2019 talk entitled “The Power of Words”, LB will dip into her theatrical skills to keep TEDxCharleston 2020 cascading along
• Jonathan Rypkema: Jonathan is responsible for bringing TEDxCharleston’s 2020 theme, CASCADES, to life. As a dynamic visual artist in various mediums including spray paint, acrylics and wood, Johnathan’s art and stage design will have a powerful cascading effect to represent this year’s speakers
• Otto Borsich & Ro Diaz: Unique performance duet combining musical and visual arts that features a Cuban-born internationally recognized artist and a renowned chef and best-selling author.

View the full lineup of speakers and performers here: https://tedxcharleston.org/watch/.

The online ticket box office reopens on January 27th and features an early bird discount on tickets up until February 25th. Priced at $57.50, tickets are an all-inclusive pass to the main event and after-party with food, drinks, entertainment, and a chance to mingle with the TEDxCharleston speakers. Tickets purchased for the 2020 event will be honored and existing ticket holders do not need to re-register.

Click here to purchase tickets.