TEDxSantaCruz

Xinistra and Trashy use the art of drag and drag story time to explore how the art form creates and protects safe spaces for the queer community and supports joy, self-expression, and the power of pride. ✨ Trashy holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work, equipping them for community strengthening. Currently pursuing a Clinical Mental Health Master’s, they aim to support queer, gender nonconforming, and trans individuals. As a non-binary individual, Trashy fosters safe spaces and community through drag. They are a member of Drag Story Time Santa Cruz. Xinistra holds a University of California, Santa Cruz modern literature degree. In drag, Xinistra emphasizes self-advocacy, and out of drag, she is working to support adults with developmental disabilities. A Pajaro Valley Pride board member, Xinistra, through drag, advocates for the LGBTQI+ community, empowering others and creating safe spaces for queer individuals. This talk was given at TEDxSantaCruz RisingTogether event in April earlier this year. https://lnkd.in/gyVv2-dH

Next time you want to feel really, really good about something you are wearing, make sure you have asked three brand N.E.W. questions. According to Stephen-Will Weir, the Slow Fashion movement is going to be good for your smile, your pocket, and the planet. Weir, a passionate global sustainability expert, aids in waste reduction and combating deforestation. Straightforward and determined, he's deeply connected to family, friends, and community. Born in England, he now lives in Santa Cruz and has two grown sons. Stephen enjoys hiking, kite surfing, sailing, and nature. His superpower lies in assisting others toward fun, easy, and rewarding low-impact lifestyles. This talk was given at a TEDsSantaCruz Rising Together in April 2024. #slowfasion #sustainability https://lnkd.in/gkYNrmRK

Daniel Nemire shares his song "Young Man" on acoustic guitar in this moving and upbeat performance. Through impressive finger-picking techniques and soulful vocals, he illustrates a picture of adversarial love, communication, growth, and the lessons learned along the way. A Santa Cruz native, Daniel has dedicated 20 years to honing his musical craft. As the frontman of hard rock band King Tide and also as a prolific solo acoustic artist, Daniel explores various genres in his guitar and vocals. Beyond performance, Nemire fosters community through music, seeing it as a force for societal reflection and transformation. This performance is from our April 2024 Rising Together event. Enjoy! https://lnkd.in/gjCXHyVp

Esabella Bonner explores the shift from passive values to active engagement in her April 2024 #TEDxTalk. Inspired by personal experiences, she advocates for turning values into verbs, emphasizing tangible actions. Through stories and initiatives she illustrates the impact of living values daily for systemic change. In 2020 Esabella orchestrated Santa Cruz County's largest protest drawing 5,000 attendees. This sparked her commitment to movement work, fostering inclusivity for black and brown individuals at paddle outs for Black Lives Matter. Her organization Black Surf Santa Cruz aims to promote physical, spiritual, and communal wellness and healing through surfing, recreation, and education. https://lnkd.in/g3nP_Pzr #tedxsantacruz #tedxspeaker

Virtual Reality brings to life the immediate threats of climate change, from raging wildfires and scorching heat waves to rising sea levels. Dr. Juliano Calil demonstrates how immersive storytelling can boost awareness, drive engagement, prevent climate denial, and inspire action in a changing climate. Juliano, Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy at MIIS and Adjunct Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, pioneers science communication for climate action. With a Ph.D. from University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master's from UC Santa Barbara, he collaborates with communities on innovative solutions for climate challenges like coastal flooding, wildfires, and heatwaves. #climatechange #climateaction #tedxsantacruz #tedx #tedxtalk #tedxspeaker https://lnkd.in/gxuD_Y2E

Elie Mabanza is a remarkable musician whose soulful sounds are deeply rooted in the rhythms and harmonies of his native Congo Brazzaville. Through his music, Elie paints vivid pictures of joy and pain, using his hauntingly beautiful voice to tell stories not just from his life in Africa but also conveying universal truths that resonate across all boundaries. Performing in Lari, Lingala, French, and English, his songs are a bridge connecting diverse cultures with the message that “life is life and people are people everywhere.” Experience the transformative power of Elie Mabanza’s music as he takes us on a journey from the heart of Africa to the soul of the world. Elie performed at TEDxSantaCruz Rising Together April 2024. https://lnkd.in/gybb3qZD

From Incarceration to Inspiration: The Transformative Power Of Education | Donnie Veal Rising above the challenges of an underserved community and the harsh realities of prison life, Donnie Veal turned to education as his beacon of hope. Now, as a program coordinator, he guides others on their journey to break free from recidivism and embrace a new beginning. Effron "Donnie" Veal, is an education advocate. After 23 years in prison, Donnie emerged as a beacon of resilience, navigating academia and societal reintegration since his release. His journey from confinement to community empowerment exemplifies the transformative power of education and determination. Donnie earned his undergraduate degree in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz @ucsc in 2023. https://lnkd.in/gtWBcwQK #activism #Marginalized #educationreform #humanrights #personalgrowth #prison #tedxspeaker #tedx #TEDxSantaCruz #UCSC

The Rise of Tiny News | Kara Meyberg Guzman As traditional newspapers shrink and disappear, a reinvention of local journalism is underway. Across the U.S., independent entrepreneurs are redefining the mission, scope, and delivery of local news to serve their communities. Kara Meyberg Guzman, CEO and co-founder of Santa Cruz Local, shares why this moment is full of hope. Kara prioritizes serving marginalized communities through fair, accurate, and accessible news. As board president of the Tiny News Collective, a national nonprofit, she supports early-stage news entrepreneurs aiming to serve their communities, believing in the power of local media to elevate diverse voices for effective local democracy. #activism #journalism #education #community #localissues #socialjustice #tinynews #nonprofitnews #localnews #tedx #tedxtalk #tedxspeaker https://lnkd.in/gdNK3uSa

Comunidad Al Aire Libre / Community Outdoors | Antonella De La Tore Marcenaro Cultural relevance, representation, and more inclusive outdoor experiences are necessary for nurturing connections with land, people, and oneself. In this talk, outdoor programming facilitator Antonella shares how community-led affinity spaces can both help reduce barriers to outdoor recreation and cultivate lasting feelings of belonging and shared joy! Antonella is a Queer, able-bodied, neurodivergent, light-skinned Peruvian immigrant with 10+ years of experience in outdoor education. Antonella founded PUENTES to facilitate outdoor programs for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color that center joy, community building, personal growth, and outdoor skills development. A Counseling Psychology master’s student, Antonella aims to support the mental health of Latinx individuals and communities. https://lnkd.in/gpE7wf3u #connection #educationreform #environment #happiness #socialchange #teaching #outdoors #inclusion #puentes #communitybuilding #InclusiveSpaces #TEDx #tedxtalks #tedxspeaker

Irvine is thrilled that our partners had the opportunity to be on the TEDxSantaCruz stage! Ventures’ Maria Cadenas, MBA spoke about creating an equitable and shared #economy instead of one that only benefits a few. She believes the economy should not be a game of monopoly, and to change this, we need to take focus on three Rs: recenter, relearn, repair: https://lnkd.in/gbkuB8Dv   Meanwhile, Digital NEST’s Alex Chavez-Guerrero, Jacob Martinez, and Martín Vargas-Vega talked about the importance of networks and how they can lead to access, belonging, and high-paying careers. They also shared their stories about becoming the network and resources they needed but didn’t have when they were younger: https://lnkd.in/gYjFMvz4    Check out the videos to learn from the leaders we have the privilege of partnering with!    #TedxTalk #PriorityCommunities #BetterCareers #IrvineAwards