TEDxCharleston to go into ‘uncharted’ territory April 17

Eighteen Charleston creative artists and professionals are expected to enchant hundreds April 17 in a half-day series of performances that highlights “ideas worth spreading” during a new TEDxCharleston event.

Dubbed “Uncharted” for its focus on new and uncharted realities, this year’s event will showcase 14 speakers and four performers from area locals that cover a wide range of topics ranging from artificial intelligence in medicine to media regulation, language access, cancer detection and financial wellness from speakers who seek to inspire, educate and entertain. Among the performances will be presentations by a rising singer, a modern dance troupe, a guy with an oud and the always energetic Taiko Drum corps of Charleston.

Among the presenters is award-winning City Paper senior editor Herb Frazier, co-author of Sleeping with the Ancestors as well as a book on searching for healing truth as represented by the Swahili word “ukweli.”

He noted, “My TEDxCharleston talk — Truth, Knowledge, Ukweli — combines my upbringing in the projects in Charleston, my travels as a military brat and my journalism and publishing experiences to show how the truth can break through the noise and barriers that divides this country along racial lines.”

Organizer Mike Sottak said the 2024 TEDxCharleston event would not disappoint.

“We are super-excited about our 2024 cohort of speakers and performers that promises to deliver an inspirational event once again,” he said.

Among those presenting this year are (in alphabetical order):

Ann-Marie Adams, business and communications instructor, University of South Carolina at Beaufort
Jordan Benton, crew co-director at Dance Lab
Kubby Culbreth, founder of Stop Light Observations and Wide Awake Life Coaching
Emily Curtis, singer-songwriter
Herb Frazier, author and senior editor at Charleston City Paper
Erin Kienzle, host of Lowcountry Live, WCIV TV
Peter Kfoury, musician
Amber Ludeman, co-founder of Matchstick Social
Stephanie Mackara, owner of Charleston Investment Advisors, LLC
Vikki Matsis, cofounder of Media Reform SC and executive director of Ohm Radio
Melissa Milanak, licensed clinical psychologist, and sleep and workplace well-being expert
Jon Pangia, practicing physician and artificial intelligence engineer
Jeannelle Perkins-Muhammad, licensed marriage and family therapist supervisor
Nina Cano Richards, immigration attorney
Taiko Charleston, Japanese drummers under direction of Tracy Bush
Adam Tanious, surgeon and entrepreneur
Ben Towill, co-founder of Charleston hospitality group Basic Projects
Julie Walker, genetic counselor
L.B. Adams, who will serve as emcee, is CEO of Practical Dramatics
Cookie Washington, featured artist and stage designer for TEDxCharleston 2024.