TEDxPittsburgh 2016
Activate

At TEDxPittsburgh Activate, speakers share the ideas that drove them to take action. The times they worked to better their community by creating a free store, building a platform to support innovation, rethinking the relationship between pop music and classical music, building a legacy of inclusion and much more.

TEDxPittsburgh 2016

Channel info

Nonprofits & Activism

Relationships, Mental health, Compassion, Music (performance), Humanities, Activism, Apps, Social Entrepreneurship, Criminal justice, Health, Social Change, Cooperation, Prison, Tolerance, War, Social Media, Life, Transportation, Business, Society, Food, Self improvement, Entertainment, Immigration, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, TEDxTalks, Law, Self, Change, Individualism, Faith, Arts education, Empathy, Rebuilding, AI, Creativity, Music (topic), United States, Future, English, Public Policy, Friendship, Control, Art, Family, Consciousness, Communication, Start-up, Social Justice, Community, Culture, Inequality, Self-help, Technology, Social Interaction

TEDxPittsburgh 2016

Beethoven and Beyoncé: Who’s Violating Whom? | Steve Hackman | TEDxPittsburgh

Steve Hackman is a conductor, composer, arrange, producer, and songwriter. Thanks to his work as the Conductor of FUSE at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, you can also add mashup artist and instigator of musical controversies to that list of titles. Through his talk, and musical performance, Hackman gives the background to why he thinks classical music and popular music may have more in common then one might think. Conductor, composer, arranger, producer and songwriter Steve Hackman is increasingly in demand as one of the most compelling artists contributing to a new landscape in hybrid music. Fluent in both classical and popular repertoire, he crafts and conducts virtuosic, cross-genre works and performances that intrigue the established audience and engage an excited new one. He currently holds the positions of Creative Director and Conductor of FUSE at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and is founder/creative director of his music brand :STEREO HIDEOUT:. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Entertainment, Arts education, Control, Culture, Music (performance), Music (topic)

The Potential of Self-Driving Vehicles | Raj Rajkumar | TEDxPittsburgh

Raj Rajkumar is the director of the General Motors-Carnegie Mellon Autonomous Driving Collaborative Research Lab, and is helping to make driverless vehicles a reality. While the technology is certainly new and cutting edge, Raj illustrates that the conversation started very long ago. This talk includes demonstrations of the car in action, challenges they are working to overcome, including the main obstacle the autonomous vehicle faces: for society to give up control. Raj Rajkumar is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He also holds a courtesy appointment in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon. In addition, he serves as Director of Real-Time and Multimedia Systems Lab, Co-Director of General Motors-Carnegie Mellon Information Technology Collaborative Research Lab, and Co-Director of General Motors-Carnegie Mellon Autonomous Driving Collaborative Research Lab. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Technology, AI, Future, Public Policy, Transportation

Finding Value in the Devalued | Gisele Fetterman | TEDxPittsburgh

Co-founder of several programs like 412 Food Rescue and The Free Store that connect excess resources to those in need, Gisele Fetterman outlines how technology and kindness intersect to make something special in the community. The work she's done in Braddock, PA has roots to her beginnings in Sao Paulo, Brasil and implications to communities around the globe who want to make the most of their resources. Gisele Fetterman, First Lady of Braddock, Pennsylvania, is the founder of the Braddock Freestore, where surplus and donated goods are received and then redistributed to neighbors in need. She is also co-founder of 412 Food Rescue, an organization that works with food retailers, wholesalers, restaurants and other food providers to rescue un-sellable but perfectly good food. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Humanities, Activism, Apps, Change, Community, Food, Sustainability

Knitting a Brighter Social Fabric | Casey Droege | TEDxPittsburgh

Casey Droege is a cultural producer and artist. Her projects include the six by ate dinner series and other notable works. To Casey, knitting is the perfect example of what we can all do to let self expression and experimentation into our lives. Casey Droege is a cultural producer and artist, moving between social practice and curatorial ventures. She has founded projects like SIX x ATE and CSAPGH, curated the 2014 Pittsburgh Biennial at CMU, and worked to build a stronger arts community in Pittsburgh. All of her projects, including these examples, focus on creating an accessible art experience that is relevant to a national/international contemporary art conversation. Casey is also an Assistant Professor at AI Pittsburgh and Adjunct Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Art, Creativity, Individualism

Trauma Informed Community Development | Paul Abernathy | TEDxPittsburgh

From his service during the Iraq War, Paul Abernathy first learned about trauma. In returning to the community in Pittsburgh, he saw a broader definition of trauma that required a broader effort at healing. His talk outlines the systematic work to rebuild communities block by block with trauma informed community development. A passionate speaker on the subject, Abernathy's ideas are meant to spread beyond the local zip code and perhaps could offer assistance to areas affected by war, poverty, and oppression. Paul Abernathy is the Director of FOCUS Pittsburgh, an Orthodox Christian urban outreach ministry and branch of FOCUS North America. In addition to graduating from St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary and earning a Master's of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, Paul has served as a Non–Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army and is a combat veteran of the Iraq War. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Humanities, Activism, Community, Consciousness, Cooperation, Faith, Health, War

Do you love your #selfie too much? | Lindsey Smith | TEDxPittsburgh

From grade school buses to internet article comments, putting oneself out there can seem like a risk, especially to those with anxiety. Author Lindsey Smith has found this out the hard way. After spent years of learning, and teaching, about the important of self-acceptance, Lindsey has discovered that we're often told that our society is too narcissistic, but perhaps there's an important distinction to be made so we can make room for and accept the need for self-love. This talk touches on all of the above. Lindsey Smith, known as the Food Mood Girl, is an award-winning author and speaker. Affected by anxiety from a young age, Lindsey reached out to coaches and mentors to help her reduce stress and understand the root cause of her attacks. She went from being hospitalized at age twelve for anxiety to teaching her peers stress management workshops in high school. She is dedicated to helping people live a vibrant life through self-love and guilt-free living. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Humanities, Individualism, Mental health, Self improvement, Self-help, Social Media

The Answer is Dignity & Respect | Candi Castleberry Singleton | TEDxPittsburgh

Candi Castleberry Singleton is a leading proponent of inclusion in any interpersonal setting. Her talk centers on a basic principle of dignity and respect, a concept that can help bridge divides between political parties, neighbors, coworkers, and more. Candi Castleberry Singleton is the founder and CEO of Dignity & Respect Inc, an organization that promotes dignity and respect for self, others, and communities. Candi partners with senior executives, business process owners, and community leaders to build sustainable practices for the workplace and marketplace. She has implemented successful initiatives as Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at UPMC, Vice President of Global Inclusion and Diversity at Motorola, and as leader of the Global Inclusion Center of Expertise at Sun Microsystems. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Humanities, Communication, Community, Compassion, Cooperation, Inequality, Social Change, Social Interaction, Tolerance

Activate Forgiveness - - Eradicate the Box | Tracey McCants Lewis | TEDxPittsburgh

Forgiveness. It's a safe bet we've all needed it at one point or another. Tracey McCants Lewis' work as a civil rights attorney and law professor focuses on pursuing expungements and pardons for individuals who have been incarcerated so they may re-enter society as contributors. While navigating us through the legal and societal layers of this story, it's evident the core issue is a familiar one: the quest for forgiveness. Tracey McCants Lewis is an assistant clinical professor and pro bono program coordinator at Duquesne University School of Law. Her clinical work focuses on expungements and pardons to counter employment discrimination while her academic pursuits are focused on critical race theory, feminist legal theory, and the clinical applications of legal storytelling. Tracey was named recipient of the 2012 NAACP Pittsburgh - Homer S. Brown Award for Legal Service, the 2012 Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh - Decade of Dedication Award, the 2015 YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Racial Justice Award honoree, and the 2015 Duquesne University School of Law Woman of the Year. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Humanities, Community, Law, Prison, Social Change, Social Justice

Making Awesome Possible | Mike Capsambelis | TEDxPittsburgh

Co-founder of Awesome Pittsburgh and product manager at Google, Mike Capsambelis is no stranger to innovation. However, Capsambelis argues that not only do we not need to ask for permission to innovate and try for new things, but that we can all (and perhaps should) encourage one another to do so. In doing this, our world could become that much more awesome. Mike Capsambelis is co-founder of Awesome Pittsburgh, a branch of the global Awesome Foundation that supports passionate and innovative entrepreneurs. Mike is also the director of Connecting Urban Entrepreneurs (CUE), a program to equip entrepreneurs in emerging neighborhoods with the skills to take their online presence to the next level. Mike has led product development at several big and small tech companies in Pittsburgh and is currently a member of Google's product management team. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Business, Community, Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship, Start-up

Finding a Home in Search of Shangri-La | Diwas Timsina | TEDxPittsburgh

Diwas Timas immigrated to Pittsburgh from the Kingdom of Bhutan. Bhutan is often thought of as a paradise, Shangri-La. Through his personal story of growing up in a refugee camp and making his way to the U.S., The founder of Children of Shangri-lost recounts ways in which we can embrace the diversity already among us to make our communities more welcoming. Diwas Timsina, a senior at Penn State Greater Allegheny campus, is Founder and President of Children of Shangri-Lost (COSL), a youth-based nonprofit with the mission to raise awareness and educate people about refugee and immigrant stories in Pittsburgh and across the country. Diwas is originally from the Kingdom of Bhutan, a landlocked country in East Asia, but was born and raised in a refugee camp in Nepal. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Life, Community, Family, Friendship, Immigration, Self

Everyone Can't Get a Life Sentence | Steve Shelton | TEDxPittsburgh

Something to build on. That sounds good to craftsman like Steve Shelton. Although it sounds rare to individuals re-entering society after incarceration. Steve's ideas and programs help individuals with challenged pasts go from 0 to a living wage in 90 days, rebuilding people and structures alike. And it's a program that could work anywhere. Former naval aircraft electrician and jack of all trades, Steve Shelton is now the founder and Executive Director of the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, a school dedicated to providing training and job placements for men and women facing challenges who are committed to changing their lives. Additionally, in 2002, Steve started Shelton Masonry, renowned for some of the finest new construction and restoration work in Pittsburgh. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Humanities, Community, Criminal justice, Empathy, Rebuilding, Social Change, Society

Breaking Free | David Petrovic | TEDxPittsburgh

David Petrovic's passion lies in presenting to teens on the topic of acceptance, with a focus on the effects of bullying. This talk uses his personal story of growing up with autism and Tourette’s and how he turned differences into strengths. A mindset like this, he suggests, can set us all free. David Petrovic is co-author of, Expect a Miracle: A Mother/Son Asperger Journey of Determination and Triumph. As an individual with autism and Tourette’s, David strives to increase awareness of autism and acceptance of differences through motivational speaking. He is also seeking his teacher certification, having recently graduated from Notre Dame College, and is involved in theater and choir. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Life, Communication, Friendship, Individualism, Relationships

Justice Shouts | Jasmine Tate | TEDxPittsburgh

A prolific acoustic performer, Jasmine Tate discusses breaking down the boundaries between audience and performer, and therefore breaking down boundaries between the message and the messenger. Her powerful use of melody and imagery through her lyrics and music work together as she performs "Justice Shouts." Following in the sonic and social footsteps of Tracy Chapman and Lauryn Hill, Jasmine Tate is a singer/songwriter who has cultivated audiences with her voice and ability to tell captivating and raw stories through her songs. Whether she’s performing in front of thousands in a stadium or a few in a coffee shop, the goal is always the same – to infuse each person with hope. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Nonprofits & Activism

TEDxTalks, English, United States, Art, Music (performance)