“CommUNITY” at TEDxSanDiego
This is Audrey Jacob’s Second year as lead volunteer organizer of TEDxSanDiego, the highly regarded annual speaker series that showcases local experts talking about big ideas. She’s excited for the event, which takes place on April 10 at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre in La Jolla.
“I’m thrilled our lineup of speakers elevates San Diego’s image on a global scale,” says Jacobs, a financial advisor for Bernstein Private Wealth Management, whose TEDxSanDiego title is Chief Connector and Curator.
Jacobs, who graduated from San Diego State University and Columbia University, is passionate about building community. At 17, she wrote as her personal mission statement: “To be a catalyst for positive change by educating and inspiring individuals and communities.”
For TEDxSanDiego, she and her team chose nine diverse speakers from among 514 applicants who were nominated by community leaders. “Each talk will share a powerful idea worth spreading and an action worth taking,” Jacobs says. “And our 2024 theme ‘commUNITY’ celebrates the idea that only through uniting diverse communities can we learn from each other.”
The Lineup:
• Ron Donoho, Ranch & Coast Magazine contributor and online news editor, examines the power of local journalism.
• Arielle Ford, author and relationship expert, advocates for a positive perspective on aging.
• Courtney Glavis-Bloom, senior neuroscientist for Salk, redefines Alzheimer’s research.
• Brian Keating, UCSD professor of physics and cosmologist, tackles imposter syndrome.
• Armand King, youth leader and author, delves into the magic of mentoring marginalized youth.
• Mark Klein, CEO and entrepreneur, highlights the hidden entrepreneurs: the family.
• Kilma Lattin, futurist and tribal leader, shares indigenous wisdom through AR and VR.
• Rochel Smoller, kidney donor advocate and teacher, highlights extreme acts of kindness.
• Jillian Wiggins, SDSU professor, explores children’s brain imaging for mental health.
The inaugural TED (Technology, Education & Design) Conference was held in 1984. Founders Richard Saul and Harry Marks sought to present a range of issues deemed “Ideas Worth Spreading.” The early TED emphasis was tech-based and aimed at Silicon Valley. It’s broadened over the years to include scientific, cultural, academic, and many other topics. The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Vancouver, British Columbia.
TEDx events are independently organized and produced shows that are licensed by TED. TEDxSanDiego is one of the longest-running TEDx events in the country, getting its start in 2010.
TEDxSanDiego’s “commUNITY”-themed event will be emceed by local educator Rachael Stewart and will also include musical performances by Gabriela Aparicio and Matrida Boazi. The show at Garfield Theatre will be live and will also be taped for online distribution.
