Welcome back, TEDx-ers!

While February is Black History Month and it’s a great time to celebrate and acknowledge Black history, culture, and identity, we should include this education every month. There’s always more to learn and reflect upon and February is a perfect time to commit to further educating yourself and appreciating other cultures like the rich variety of cultures within the Black community. 

TEDxUTAustin hopes that these TED Talks will inspire you to continue Black History Month’s momentum, celebrating this community’s rich culture and history and working towards a better tomorrow!

Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable - Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Luvvie Ajayi Jones isn't afraid to speak her mind or to be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. "Your silence serves no one," says the writer, activist and self-proclaimed professional troublemaker. In this bright, uplifting talk, Ajayi Jones shares three questions to ask yourself if you're teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down -- and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Black History is American History - Okalani Dawkins

In this talk, Okalani Dawkins highlights the importance of African American societies in America's history past the Civil Rights Movement, and why we need to pay more attention to matters like those as well. She is an ambitious sophomore who is on the path to dedicating her life to human rights advocacy. As the vice president of Amnesty International, she strives to convey a message of tolerance and solidarity among students, as well as to eradicate indifference toward recent social issues.

The Emotional Cost of Being a Black Woman in America - Monica Johnson

Black women and southern trees suffer from a similar affliction. They are marked to be the tellers and bearers of truth in a world socially constructed to destroy them. Social justice educator, Monica Johnson explores the parallels of her identity development and the life and legacy of the great Billie Holiday. This talk uncovers the day that Monica comes to understand what being a Black woman born and raised in the American south truly affords her. Monica asks the audience to stop and listen to an uncomfortable truth about the burden that Black women are forced to carry. Monica uses the legacy of Billie Holiday’s world renowned performance of “Strange Fruit” to explain what great cost Black women pay to expose the world to the truth.

Black History Matters - Don John

Black History should not just be important to Black people but should be important to all peoples for a fuller understanding of the relationship between black & white people socially and politically. Yes, Black History Matters and Black Lives Matter is only the beginning of a process. Don John is a film-maker, author & DJ as well as a consultant in the field of community cohesion. He has been a pioneer in the development of “Race & Diversity” issues  across the southern region for over 30 years and was the founder and coordinator of Black History Month in Southampton over more than 20 years.

The Power of The Black Woman’s Self Love Journey - Denise Francis

In this powerful TEDx Talk, Self Love Educator Denise Francis speaks on the relationship between Black Women, Self-love, and Mental health. She aims to bridge the gap to heal Black women from the trans-generational trauma that the “Strong Black Woman” trope has silenced. Denise Francis is the Founder and CEO of The Self Love Organization INC. The Self Love Organization is the online Self Love, Therapy and Wellness Club for Black Women to end the cycles of transgenerational trauma by healing Black Women and the communities they lead.

50 Shades of Black: My Experiences with Colorism - Amaya Allen

It affects all humans, no matter if you’re Black, White, Asian or otherwise. It is a judgment that we make about people within our own race based on a system created so long ago that we were not even thoughts. It is something ingrained in us, something that we do unconsciously. It is a cover up that is always covered up. It is ugly. It is beauty. It is history. It is herstory. It is my story. It is colorism. Amaya Allen is a Vanderbilt University sophomore studying Law, History and Society and Communications Studies on a pre-law track. Originally from Queens, New York, Allen graduated from Medgar Evers College Preparatory School with honors in 2017 and received a full tuition Posse Foundation Scholarship. At Vanderbilt, Allen is a resident advisor for E. Bronson Ingram residential college and is involved in many student organizations including Caribbean Student Association and Evolve. 

The Real Story of Rosa Parks + Why We Need to Confront Myths About Black History - David Ikard

Black history taught in US schools is often watered-down, riddled with inaccuracies and stripped of its context and rich, full-bodied historical figures. Equipped with the real story of Rosa Parks, professor David Ikard highlights how making the realities of race more benign and digestible harms us all -- and emphasizes the power and importance of historical accuracy.

The Power of the Black Experience in Classrooms - Keith Mayes

Dr. Keith Mayes makes a compelling case for how the black experience in the classroom could have remarkable impact. He is an Associate Professor of African American & African Studies at the University of Minnesota and the College of Liberal Arts’ Arthur “Red” Motley Exemplary Teacher. Holding a Ph.D. in History from Princeton University, his professional interests include the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement; education policy and history; black holiday traditions; and racial equity and critical ethnic studies pedagogy.

Racism from the Perspective of a Non-threatening Black Man - Doyin Richards

Even though Doyin Richards grew up as a self-described "preppy, non-threatening Black kid", it didn't prevent him from being called the N-word by a white person for the first time as a 9-year-old. His talk explains how racism brings about expectations and fear for Black men of all kinds, how it almost made Doyin take his own life, and what actions white people can take right now to be anti-racist. Doyin Richards is a diversity author and anti-racism facilitator, but he also grew up as a self-described "preppy Black kid" in a predominantly white town. His numerous experiences with racism will surprise you.

Black Panther White Lies - Curtis Austin

What made the Black Panther Party successful, as well as politically dangerous? In his very personal talk, activist and historian, Dr. Curtis Austin tells his story of being labeled a 'felon' as a result of his research on the Black Panther Party. Dr. Austin details the major successes of the Black Panther Party and the key action behind those successes. Using his personal experience, years of research, and some gruesome realities, Dr. Austin contextualizes the recent outcry by people across the United States against the legacy of the Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movement.

Stay ConnecTED!

Caroline Harrison