PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (April 1, 2026) – Prairie View A&M University will host the sixth edition of TEDxPVAMU on April 17, 2026, bringing together alumni, scholars, and innovators for a day of powerful ideas and thought-provoking conversation.

This year’s theme, “Return on Intention: Investing in What Truly Matters,” invites attendees to rethink how they spend their time, energy, and resources to pursue purpose and meaningful impact.

Organized by the Honors College, TEDxPVAMU continues the University’s tradition of showcasing voices rooted in intention and delivered with impact. The event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers whose experiences span fields including engineering, finance, healthcare, education, media, law, and entrepreneurship.

“In our sixth year of hosting a TEDxPVAMU license, we are just getting started,” said Dr. Quincy C. Moore III, dean of the Honors College and event organizer. “We have put time and thought into selecting our speakers, the environment to host the experience, and the theme. We believe the audience will experience an authentic, thought-provoking environment of brilliance at the peak of excellence.”

Dr. Moore said the theme challenges audiences to examine what they are truly investing in across all areas of life.

“The return on investment is intention, and it is our most valuable currency. Whether you’re investing time, energy, money, or presence, your return is shaped not just by what you give, but why and how you give it.”

Student Leadership at the Center

TEDxPVAMU is a collaborative effort that places students at the center of the experience.

“Every TEDxPVAMU begins long before the spotlight,” said Chelsee H. Young ’10, ‘15, assistant dean of the Honors College and talent coordinator for the event. “It starts with our Honors College students deciding which idea is worth the preparation in this season and how we as a team can lift it off the ground. The real return on intention is watching our young people invest in their own voice and realize it pays dividends they never expected.”

For Adrian J. Aker, a student organizer for the 2026 event, helping bring TEDxPVAMU to life has been a transformative experience.

“The goal of TEDxPVAMU is to spread new ideas, philosophies, and ways of thinking to the student body and the greater Prairie View community,” the mechanical engineering major said. “I hope TEDxPVAMU 2026 introduces fresh perspectives that help audiences reflect on their goals and make more intentional choices about the lives they want to build.”

TEDxPVAMU 2026 Speakers

The 2026 lineup features accomplished PVAMU alumni and leaders who are making an impact in their respective industries:

• Jamaur Barnes ’07 – CEO and chief strategist of OOTR Consulting, focused on community empowerment and leadership development.
• Michael Dewey ’16 – Vice president of finance at Nexus Water Group and former professional esports competitor.
• Nadia Higgins ’25 – Mechanical engineer at Toyota Motor Company and founder of the PVAMU VROOOM automotive education initiative.
• Nicholas Hunt ’16 – Award-winning multimedia producer and creative director known for visual storytelling across major media platforms.
• Jerome Howard ’15 – Author, entrepreneur, and performance coach helping individuals build resilience through intentional habits.
• Danielle Andisa Johnson ’04 – Former NASA program executive and founder of The Inner Calm Academy, focused on nervous-system regulation and mindful leadership.
• Dr. Tranika Jefferson ’05, ’09 – Behavioral health executive and founder of The Behavioral Wellness Academy, advancing equitable autism services.
• Dr. Cleveland Lane Jr. ’94, ’96 – Professor of Practice in biology at Prairie View A&M University and director of the Anatomical Visualization and Simulation Center.
• Dr. Montrey Pertile ’11 – STEM education researcher dedicated to expanding culturally responsive learning environments for Black youth.
• Alyssa Rhodes ’10 – Writer and content editor whose work spans media, theology, and cultural commentary.
• Ashlee E. Sherman ’15 – Patent litigation attorney specializing in intellectual property law.
• Roderick Shavers ’10, ’16 – Product manager at AT&T, leading technology innovation in global workplace services.
• Brandon Townsend ’04 – Entrepreneur and president of Luxury Goods Company LLC, a government contracting and creative consulting firm.

Event Details

TEDxPVAMU 2026 will take place on April 17, 2026, on the PVAMU. Tickets will become available on April 2, 2026.

For updates and speaker highlights, follow @tedxpvamu on Instagram or visit the official TED event page here.

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