It’s guaranteed you will learn something — and probably lots of new things — if you attend the coming TEDxCharleston event at the Charleston Music Hall next month.
The April 29 event, which is the 14th session in Charleston since 2013, will feature 11 local speakers, plus a nationally-known author who has appeared at TEDx events across the country.
“It’s a very diverse group of professionals, innovators, creatives, entrepreneurs and people making a real impact in our Lowcountry community on some serious and important issues,” said organizer Mike Sottak.
Those who speak for about 10 minutes each after undergoing rigorous practice for the last few weeks will explore facets of the conference’s theme — “symphony.” They’ll offer insights into how voices, ideas and technologies converge and blend across society in nature, art, culture, innovation, history and technology. Some examples:
Two police-related professionals will look at two aspects of law enforcement. Jerome Smalls, developer of youth programs at the Charleston Police Department, will talk about how to address at-risk juveniles. Later in the show, former Georgetown Police Chief Kelvin Waites, who now directs community engagement for the City of Myrtle Beach, will discuss perseverance in the face of challenges.
Also on tap are three talks from four health care professionals Dr. Leonardo Ferreira, an assistant professor at MUSC Department of Pharmacology and Immunology, will talk on a possible cure for diabetes. Lexi Morgan, a board-certified therapist from West Ashley, will talk about how somatic art therapy can help heal trauma. And husband-and-wife Drs. Brian Kendall and Brittany Bankhead of Mount Pleasant will describe how communication in the operating room can be applied to marriage. He is an emergency room doctor at Trident Medical Center while she is a trauma surgeon at MUSC
“I think one of the beauties of TEDx is its consistency and quality in terms of the format and the delivery and the style of talks,” Sottak said. “People know they will hear and see something interesting.”
Also on the program
The April show will also feature something new — it will be in the evening for the first time.
“We’re hoping to attract an even broader and more diverse audience who normally might not be able to attend our daytime events that we’ve held in the past,” Sottak said. “I think this adds a new dimension to the event.”
The event, which will be emceed by local radio personality Zandrina Dunning, will also feature Matthew Dicks, an elementary school teacher, novelist and accomplished storyteller who is well-known to fans of the Moth via radio, podcasts and books. Dicks has also worked with companies like Google and Salesforce and institutions like Harvard and the FBI to unlock the power of stories.
Other local storytellers at the April event include (in alphabetical order):
Andie Edwards, a James Island anthropologist who works at MUSC as a researcher. She’ll discuss how our prehistoric past shapes us today.
Megan K. Manigault of Ridgeville, founder of I Am Voices nonprofit who will speak about giving a voice to those who are sexually abused and trafficked.
Luke Shirley, the Charleston nonprofit founder of Quest in Recovery, who will discuss why we get suicide prevention wrong and how one intervention might change the conversation.
J.T. White, a James Island technology entrepreneur who will talk about parenting in the age of AI.
Guang Ming Whitley, a former Mount Pleasant town council member who will discuss post-partem childbirth issues through the lens of ancient Chinese techniques.
Three youth performers will provide some entertainment during the show — yo-yo artist Grayson Rhea of Charleston, black belt Treyden McAdams of Atlanta and the Saint Jerome Band of Charleston. Also being showcased during the event is Summerville artist Christine Johnson.
IF YOU WANT TO GO: 6:15 p.m., April 29, at Charleston Music Hall. Tickets start at $84. More: charlestonmusichall.com/event/tedxcharleston
Past local presenters are YouTube hits
Toresco: Patient Advocacy: A journey to better outcomes
1.2 million views
Health care executive Matt Toresco outlined in May 2025 how health care can be revolutionized by empowering patients to be central decision-makers.
WATCH: youtube.com/watch?v=2Rkzqosn2RQ
Rashidi: Is AI ‘rusting’ our brains?
1.1 million views
Thought leader Sol Rashidi gave a May 2025 TEDxCharleston talk that shared how the real threat of artificial intelligence was about intellectual atrophy.
WATCH: youtube.com/watch?v=BQv3Bgp26NA&t=16s
Spiotta: Flow State: Taking your team to the ultimate level of performance
1.1 million views
MUSC neurosurgery Prof. Alex Spiotta presented May 2023 at TEDxCharleston outlined why he is convinced that teams of people can “get in the zone” like athletes often do.
WATCH: youtube.com/watch?v=Z9OGRnI7Ep0&t=43s
Balasubramanian: The science of yogic breathing
1.2 million views
In May 2015, radiation oncology researcher Sundar Balasubramanian explained what deep breathing can do for people and offered a simple breathing exercise to improve well-being.
WATCH: youtube.com/watch?v=aIfwbEvXtwo&t=1s
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