UNF hosts national speakers and experts for TEDxJacksonville Conference “The Overlap”

The University of North Florida will host TEDxJacksonville this year, which includes a lineup of eleven speakers and three musical guests. The 2024 conference "The Overlap" will be held from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Lazzara Performance Hall.

TEDxJacksonville, which started in 2014, is a full-day event aimed at sparking conversation through engaging talks and interactive sessions. This year's theme encourages the convergence of different disciplines, promoting experimentation and cross-pollination to inspire innovative solutions, with part of the program focused on democracy.

"UNF is a hub for community engagement and a leader in encouraging civil discourse and promoting civility. We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2024 TEDxJacksonville conference," said Richmond Wynn, UNF's Vice President of Community Engagement and Partnerships. "This impressive group of speakers will inspire profound discussions and meaningful connections."

TEDxJacksonville co-organizer and executive producer Jeanmarie Grimsley said the group is excited to bring the conference to UNF's campus.

"UNF's commitment to the power of ideas to shape a stronger, more resilient, and dynamic Florida makes our work possible," Grimsley said. "This collaboration embodies our shared vision to inspire, educate and empower individuals through the exchange of innovative ideas and diverse perspectives. We look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create for both organizations to cultivate a culture of curiosity and innovation that resonates throughout Jacksonville and beyond."

Conference speakers include:

• Dr. Moain Abu Dabrh, pioneering researcher and physician-coach at Mayo Clinic.
• Robert Jackson, Afrofuturist and entrepreneur
• Col. Eries Mentzer, Freedom to Serve ambassador and the first Black woman to command Maxwell Air Force Base
• Aishwarya Reganti, AI researcher and Amazon tech lead
• Daniel F. Stone, behavioral economist and professor at Bowdoin College
• Dr. Matthew Thompson, emergency physician and Telescope Health's co-founder
• Kady Yellow, senior director of Placemaking and Events for Downtown Vision
• Layla Zaidane, president and CEO of Future Caucus
• Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang, hospice physician
• Desmond Meade, president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition
• Nicole Snell, award winning international speaker, self-defense educator and outdoor enthusiast

This year's entertainment performances include In the Midst Jax, a local hip-hop dance collective; a soothing handpan performance by The Panmarco Players; and acclaimed singer/songwriter Morley, who weaves jazz, soul and folk into her performances.

The conference will provide lunch and multiple audience engagement and networking opportunities and will conclude with the Afterglow Party, an informal reception with wine, beer and light bites.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the TEDxJacksonville Conference 2024: The Overlap event page.