TEDx Ideas worth spreading.
The theme for TEDxPVAMU 2023 was “Food for Thought”
“Above all, never let age extinguish the fire of your inner child.” – S. Ajna.
To live in color means to move through moments, challenges, decisions, and goals with a childlike presence. As we get older, it is easy to lose sight of the simple things that bring us so much joy, like spending excessive time with our hobbies, learning new information and skills, living unapologetically, or being creative and developing solutions despite any challenges. We must remain childlike–meaning we must stay bold, continue taking chances, and be unapologetic in our pursuit of life.
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or fewer) delivered by today’s leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED’s annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, and made available, free, on TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.
About TEDx
A TEDx event is a local gathering where live TED-like talks and performances are shared with the community. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis. The content and design of each TEDx event is unique and developed independently, but all of them have features in common.
TEDxPVAMU 2024 Speakers
Ebony Moss
Political and healthcare advocate
Ebony Moss is a junior at Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing from Dallas, Texas. She is passionate about politics and healthcare and hopes to be the change she wishes to see. Ms. Moss has served as a mentor, motivational speaker, community activist, and youth leader. She believes it is crucial that the current generation, and generations to come, find their voice, and she plans to assure them that their voice matters. Ebony Moss gives credence to the statement that healthcare workers save lives, politicians save communities, and she will do both.
Frank Jackson
Prairie View pioneer
Frank D. Jackson was born and raised in Luling, Texas, and is the second of three sons born to Robbie Jackson Sr. and Willie Louise Jackson. He entered Prairie View A&M University in the fall of 1969. Frank majored in Geography and earned a 4-year Scholarship as a Naval Science student. He graduated from PVAMU in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and was commissioned and ensigned in the United States Navy, serving eight years of active duty. After his military service, Mr. Jackson worked at PVAMU from 1982 to 2021. Mr. Jackson is married to the former Marian Elaine Jones and is the father of four children, Tracy, Ayanna, Cheikh & Okofo. The Jacksons have two grandchildren, Chazrel & Simone.
Lisa Williams
Engineer + healthy lifestyle advocate
Lisa Williams received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, and a Master’s in Manufacturing Management from The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Post graduation, Mrs. Williams is the Senior Director of Operations at Dow. She joined Dow in 1998 and has held many roles within the company since. Lisa’s certifications include Six Sigma Black Belt, APICS CPIM and CSCP, and Prosci ADKAR change management practitioner. Lisa has participated in several elite Dow senior and executive leadership programs such as the HH Dow Academy, Lead To Exceed, Dow Leadership Institute, Inspire to Serve, and Dow executive coaching. Lisa is a native Houstonian and currently lives there with her husband. She is a strong mental health, fitness, and nutrition advocate promoting healthy lifestyles inside out.
Russel Thomas
Agriculture specialist
Russell Thomas is a Budget Analyst with the United States Department of Agriculture Agency ERS. Born in Fort Worth, TX, he grew up in a large family of seven. Russell attended Prairie View A&M University as a USDA 1890 scholar. While in college, Russell studied abroad and served in Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). Russell is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Post graduation, Russell has continued to be an active member in the community with the USDA and as an executive board member for the PVAMU Agriculture Alumni Association.
TEDxPVAMU Organizers
Jasmine Jeffries
Robert Thomas