'TEDxASUWest 2020: Community Transformed' to stream virtually this week

Communities now are often presented as divisive groupings that pit one set of interests against another. But in a time when individuals self-report increasing loneliness and anxiety, community can provide companionship and support.

To create such a community, TEDx is coming to Arizona State University in a virtual format. Fourteen speakers, comprised of faculty, students and community members, will share their own experiences and show how ideas have the power to change the world. The third annual TEDxASUWest event will be streamed live on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. For more information on how to reserve your ticket, visit tedxwest.asu.edu. 

This year’s theme is "community transformed," and speakers come together from multiple disciplines and cultures to present on a wide range of topics, including art, science, history and education.

“The meaning of community is different for everyone who experiences it,” said TEDxASUWest organizer Justice McClinton. “Our hope is that this event allows viewers to relate to one another, our speakers and the campus community.”

Since February, she has been working alongside the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and CommLabASU to organize a unique program that allows others to share their passions.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. This event is called TEDxASUWest, where "x" signifies an independently organized TED event.

“I want to make the TEDxASUWest experience for this year's speakers just as good as mine was last year, if not better,” said Yumna Samie, 2020 co-campaign manager for TEDxASUWest and 2019 speaker.

Thursday night at 6 p.m., topics will focus on transformational power found within community and what communities can achieve. Audience members will be encouraged to examine their own understandings of community, recognize the transformative nature of connections and proactively seek out new methods of engagement.

TEDxASUWest is no stranger to innovation, and the event team has worked all year to bring TEDx to a digital platform. In this groundbreaking format, TEDxASUWest: Community Transformed will be accessible to the entire ASU community, for free. Furthermore, viewers will be tuning in from all over the world, with tickets reserved from such locations as Canada, India, the Philippines and Guam.

“I want this event to showcase as many unique voices as possible,” McClinton said. “I hope that we’ll be able to inspire and motivate the next generation of Sun Devils to embrace community and to take pride in their ideas.”

The full roster of speakers at TEDxASUWest: Community Transformed include:

Patrick Bixby, associate professor, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Beulah Supriya, graduate student, poet.

Kim Toms, instructor, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Christina Peugh, graduate student, communication studies.

Deborah Hall, associate professor, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Justin Hamilton, youth pastor, Generation Church.

Melody Yoon, undergraduate student, English and secondary education studies.

Paula Veach, lecturer, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts.

Makenna Flynn, undergraduate student, Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Kimberly Vehon, CEO, Foster Arizona.

Joel Nishimura, assistant professor, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences.

Jordan Brown, undergraduate student, communication studies.

Katarina Kunert, graduate student, communication studies.

Allan Colbern, assistant professor, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

TEDxASUWest: Community Transformed is supported by ASU's New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and CommLabASU.