Growing up in Singapore, I learned about slavery as part of American history.
I learned about the transatlantic slave trade, about the Civil War, about Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation.
And yes, I aced the history tests.
But didn’t learn about Juneteenth.
In fact, I didn’t encounter Juneteenth until the late 2010s, after I had moved to the United States and become deeply involved in the TED and TEDx communities.
Looking back, I can’t believe how I could I know so much about slavery and emancipation, and yet not know about the day that commemorates the moment when more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free!
The answer, I think, is that I knew the history, but I didn’t yet understand the larger story.
School taught slavery as an event in time. It didn’t teach us freedom is an ongoing pursuit.
That understanding came through years of listening.
As a TEDx organizer, I have had the privilege of hearing thousands of speakers and their ideas. Along the way, I have come to appreciate that freedom is not a fixed concept. Freedom is experienced differently depending on where you live, who you are, and what risks you face when you speak, worship, organize, create, or simply exist.
One of the earliest lessons came in 2011 on a shuttle ride from Palm Springs to TED.
I found myself seated next to a woman from Egypt. We spent much of the ride talking about her faith, her family, and what it meant for her to wear a hijab. At the time, I carried assumptions that many Westerners hold. I viewed the hijab primarily as a symbol of female oppression.
But as she shared her experience, it was like the sun climbing the sky and shedding light on a previously shadowed valley.
The hijab she described was not something imposed upon her. It was a personal expression of faith, identity and conviction. Whether I would make the same choice was not the point. For her, the ability to make that choice was itself an expression of freedom.
That conversation didn’t erase the reality that some women around the world are forced into practices they would not choose. But it taught me something equally important: freedom becomes harder to understand when we assume everyone experiences it through our own lens.
The more I listened to people from different countries, the more nuanced my understanding became.
And the more complex it became, the more honest it became.
Several TED Talks helped shape that journey.
One was by Bryan Stevenson, whose talk “We Need to Talk About an Injustice” challenged me to think about how systems can perpetuate inequality long after society declares itself equal.
Another was Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “The Danger of a Single Story,” which explores how incomplete narratives shape our understanding of people and communities. The talk remains one of the clearest explanations of why listening matters.
I was also influenced by Mellody Hobson’s “Color Blind or Color Brave?” which argues that progress requires confronting uncomfortable realities rather than pretending differences do not exist. This one was particularly poignant growing up in a country that proclaims itself a meritocracy but is rife with racial stereotypes and prejudices that shape its social, political and economic institutions.
And I found myself returning repeatedly to the work of Isabel Wilkerson, whose exploration of caste and hierarchy helped me understand how systems can continue influencing outcomes long after the original structures appear to have disappeared.
These talks deepened my understanding of race and race in America.
They also helped me understand something broader: freedom is not just about what laws permit; freedom is also about what people can safely do.
As my involvement with TEDx grew, I became friends with organizers around the world. I discovered that the freedoms I had come to take for granted in America were not universally shared.
Before 2025, many of us in the United States operated with an assumption that we could curate ideas freely. We could invite speakers who challenged institutions, questioned leaders, exposed systemic failures, or criticized prevailing wisdom. Those conversations were often uncomfortable, but they were generally possible.
Not everyone had that luxury.
Friends and fellow organizers in places like China and Myanmar often navigated a very different reality. They had to think carefully about which ideas could be presented publicly, how certain topics were framed and what consequences speakers or organizers might face. Their work required a level of caution that many of us in the United States never had to consider.
The contrast was illuminating. What I viewed as normal since my arrival in this country was, in fact, a privilege: the freedom to question authority, to challenge the status quo, to share an unpopular idea.
Heck, the freedom just to gather around ideas at all.
These are freedoms that many people throughout history, and many people today, have had to fight to obtain.
That realization brought me back to Juneteenth.
When General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and announced that enslaved people were free, he was delivering news that should have reached them years earlier.
The delay itself tells an important story. A right can exist on paper before it exists in reality and a promise can be made before it is fulfilled.
A society can declare freedom before everyone experiences it.
That lesson extends far beyond the history of slavery in America.
Every nation has communities that continue to seek fuller participation, greater opportunity and equal recognition. The barriers differ. The histories differ. The political systems differ.
But the work remains remarkably similar.
Juneteenth reminds us that progress is not self-executing, and not, by any means, assured.
Progress requires vigilance, empathy AND a willingness to listen to experiences that aren’t our own.
As an immigrant, I arrived in America with knowledge of slavery as a historical fact. What I gained through TED and TEDx was a deeper understanding of freedom as a living, unfinished project.
Juneteenth is not simply a celebration of the end of slavery. It is a reminder that freedom must continually be defended, expanded and made real for more people.
Instead, I find myself asking better questions:
Who gets to speak?
Who gets to participate?
Who gets to belong?
Who gets to challenge power?
And who is still waiting to experience freedoms that others assume are already theirs?
Juneteenth invites us to keep asking those questions.
Not just about the past. But about the future we are creating together.
Heather Hinojosa is head of marketing and communications at a communication firm that helps professionals show up as their most authentic selves. Her role at TEDxAtlanta focuses on long-form content (aka this awesome blog!), although she also dabbled in event planning for the 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Count TEDxAtlanta adventure.
An Air Force brat, she lived in several states and countries before moving to Atlanta just in time for the ’96 Olympics. Read on to learn about her TEDxAtlanta experience on the Marketing & Storytelling Team.
I’m a very curious person who loves hearing ideas and perspectives from others; I collect these like a magpie, writing down what I learn in Evernote, my notes app or my trusty purple Moleskine. TED podcasts have always been one of my go-tos, and I wanted to attend a local in-person event.
A coworker (shout-out to fellow TEDxAtlanta teammate Meggie) posted photos from the last TEDxAtlanta event, and when I commented that she should let me know the next time there was a conference, she told me I should volunteer. So here I am!
My favorite talk is How Changing Your Story Can Change Your Life by Lori Gottlieb (everyone, go read her book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, right now). Stories help us make sense of our lives, but when they’re incomplete or misleading, they can keep us stuck. Lori Gottlieb’s talk struck me because it’s about becoming your own editor and rewriting your narrative from a new point of view.
Fun, connections, learning
It’s truly an all-volunteer organization. The team behind TEDxAtlanta is committed to spreading important ideas, and a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to bring the events to our awesome community.
On the professional front, I now know how to put together a very detailed run of show for any future events I work on! Personally, I have met really lovely people who motivate me to reinvest in my community.
I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of being behind screens all of the time. Volunteering with TEDxAtlanta allows me to connect with a team working toward the same goals, and you get to go to cool events and learn new things—no Internet required.
The workings of our democracy can be complicated and daunting, so in the spirit of learning, we’ve compiled a few links to resource.
Start or update your registration here
How to vote by mail or in person here
Voter registration deadlines for the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 election.
Links
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Tech is the southeast United States’ first Living Building, earning the world’s most ambitious green building certification in 2021.This pioneering structure, made possible by a $30 million grant, showcases regenerative design principles and serves as a model for environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic development. With features like a 330-kilowatt solar canopy providing 225% of its energy needs, rainwater harvesting, and chemical-free materials, the Kendeda Building treats stormwater, conserves potable water, and lowers flood risks. It also promotes universal access through an accessible ramp design.
The building hosts exhibitions celebrating gender equality, sustainability, and diverse perspectives, fostering a space for reimagining the future through art and technology. Its biophilic design connects occupants with nature, incorporating elements like exposed wood, natural light, and a rooftop garden with beehives and pollinator plants. As a living laboratory, the Kendeda Building inspires students and industry professionals to continually innovate and raise the bar for sustainable, equitable, and regenerative design.
The Kendeda Building’s innovative design and commitment to sustainability make it the perfect venue to host the upcoming TEDxAtlanta Salon focused on the transition to clean energy. We are thrilled to partner with the Georgia Tech community to facilitate thought-provoking discussions that will inspire attendees and further the important work of sustainability.
This event is a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the remarkable features of the southeast’s first Living Building, from its 330-kilowatt solar canopy to its rooftop beehives, and to explore the complexities of the clean energy transition.
To see more photos of the building, visit our Flickr.
Thank you to our sponsors, ATDC and PIN.
Founded in 1980, ATDC has played a pivotal role in shaping Atlanta and Georgia’s startup ecosystem and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, for founders with technology-focused businesses.
Over the years, it has evolved into one of the nation’s leading technology incubators, supporting hundreds of startups across a wide range of industries, from healthcare and fintech to cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.
Having graduated more than 200 companies since its founding, ATDC, an offering of Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, has served as a catalyst and space that allows founders to turn their passions into companies that have impact action.
Its mission is to give aspiring entrepreneurs the confidence to embrace risk and the possibility of failure. But ATDC has created an ecosystem that supports and encourages founders to believe their ideas can change the world in meaningful ways.
Among its successes are founders who created companies that improve the standard of care for babies born prematurely who have feeding troubles and technologies that allow patients suffering from heart failure or chronic diseases to be closely monitored by their physicians without having to leave home.
Through innovative programs and initiatives, ATDC empowers entrepreneurs to create their own futures to become problem solvers and pioneers that bring solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (Partnership), led by founding Executive Director Debra Lam, a TEDxAtlanta 2023 Atlanta conference speaker, was founded to catalyze communities and individuals into creating solutions and pursuing innovations that solve problems and maximize individual potential.
A collaboration of leading private companies across Georgia and learning institutions including Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia, the Partnership leverages its resources to advance technology and innovation in an equitable manner statewide.
As Lam said in her talk, innovation is not just about creating cutting-edge technologies or revolutionary products; it’s also about ensuring that these advancements benefit everyone in society.
Central to its mission is a philosophy that innovation and great ideas can come from anyone and anywhere. Actively promoting diversity and ensuring that all voices are heard creates a future framework for more successful outcomes because all stakeholders have the opportunity to contribute and succeed.
It’s why since its formation in 2020, the Partnership has been focused on breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. It’s about recognizing the unique perspectives and talents that each person brings to the table and harnessing those strengths to drive collective progress.
Leveraging technology innovations and being intentional about problem solving, has led to local communities to harness artificial intelligence to improve healthcare outcomes and prevent water drownings, and use research to deploy solutions that improve air quality and address climate change.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders, promoting collaboration to harness the power of technology for social good, the Partnership has garnered international recognition for creating a model centered on driving meaningful progress toward more equitable and sustainable futures.
Coal, oil, and natural gas are fossil fuels that power the world economy. They sustain global production and support nearly everything we touch produce or need from energy production to the crops we grow.
Nothing serves as a clearer reminder of that than the ubiquitous gas station — all 168,000 of them found across the U.S.
But the TEDxAtlanta May 16, 2024 Salon considers “What Happens to Gas Stations When the World Goes Electric?” [REGISTER HERE] Part of TEDxAtlanta’s focus on issues connected to sustainability, the Salon is being held at Georgia Tech’s Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design — the first building in Georgia and one of only 28 in the world to be granted Living Building Challenge certification.
The Salon features the 2023 TED Talk exploring that question as presented by Emily Grubert, associate professor of sustainable energy policy at the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs.
Formerly a professor at Georgia Tech, Grubert’s talk sets a framework for what a world running fully electric could look like and what that could mean for cars, tools, and jobs that rely on fossil fuels.
That presentation will be followed by small group meetings led by subject matter experts who will look to help attendees develop an appreciation for the complexities that are encapsulated in the societal transition from infrastructure built on fossil fuels to clean energy.
“Sustainability is driving fast-paced changes in how we view the use of fossil fuels, our adoption of alternatives, and moving to a new way overall regarding the kinds of energy we use to keep our economies and way of life as we know it strong,” said Jacqui Chew, TEDxAtlanta Licensee. “Hosting this Salon in the Kendeda Building, which is fully sustainable not only in its use of energy, but also design, will give attendees a tangible understanding of the possibilities as they ponder the central question we are posing.”
This Salon is one of several planned for the year that will encourage attendees to explore new ideas and consider new approaches in the understanding of various subjects such as sustainability.
They are all part of a broader focus for TEDxAtlanta leading up to the 2024 theme of the mainstage event in September: The Future We Will Create.
The Salon venue is being provided by the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, a public-private organization focused on advancing technology and innovation in an equitable manner across the state of Georgia.
Frans de Waal, a true luminary in the field of primatology and a cherished member of the TEDxAtlanta family, passed away on March 14, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. As a world-renowned primatologist, Emory University professor, and best-selling author of more than a dozen books, Frans was a beacon of knowledge and compassion. His groundbreaking research and findings not only revolutionized our understanding of human behavior but also shed light on the intricacies of animal behavior in the realms of empathy, morality, and cooperation. Frans graced the TEDx stage in 2011, captivating audiences with his insights on morality without religion in the animal kingdom. His talk sparked meaningful conversations and challenged conventional wisdom, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of hearing him speak.
Beyond his academic achievements, Frans will be remembered for his warmth, humility, and unwavering commitment to advancing our understanding of the natural world. His passion for his work was matched only by his kindness and generosity towards others. As we mourn this loss, let us take solace in the knowledge that Frans’ legacy will live on through his groundbreaking research, insightful writings, and the countless lives he touched. Our deepest condolences go out to Frans’ family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. To honor Frans’ memory and celebrate his remarkable contributions to science and humanity, we invite you to watch his TEDx talks (listed below) and explore his body of work, which continues to inspire and educate. Frans de Waal may have left us, but his spirit will forever endure, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The surprising science of alpha males
Moral behavior in animals
Morality without religion
Monkey Business 101, How Animals Cooperate
Emma is an Atlanta-based creative pursuing a career in filmmaking. With her passion for visual storytelling, she aims to bring people together and effect change through art. Emma is a travel enthusiast, a comedy lover, and an extremely family-oriented individual, with her roots in a small town near Charlotte, North Carolina.
EH: While attending the University of Georgia, Emma worked as a student volunteer for the TEDxUGA conferences offering her presentation-skills to peer and professional speakers preparing to take the main stage with their ideas. After graduating in 2022, Emma prepared to move from her hometown to Atlanta by immersing herself in the Atlanta community, one way being through TEDxAtlanta.
EH: As a part of the core-planning team for the 2023 TEDxAtlanta conference, Emma was a part of the Audience Experience team and helped with event day registration, vendor scheduling, and exhibit set-up. Her favorite memory took place at the very end of the conference when the MC invited all volunteers up on stage for a huge round of applauce from the audience! She recalls what a special feeling it was to play a role in such a large event that meant so much to so many people.
EH: Collaborative + Creative + Community
EH: It may come as a surprise to know that each TEDx event differs from the previous one. Emma enjoyed planning for the coming 2024 conference theme, speaker categories, and corresponding visual branding as each year aims to bring a fresh perspective, a novel way of framing each speakers message, and focus on a different sector of local life. What’s Your Favorite TEDx Talk? (include link)EH: “My year of saying yes to everything“, by Shonda Rhimes
EH: As a newcomer to Atlanta, becoming part of the TEDx community facilitated Emma’s integration into her new surroundings. It provided access to diverse professional, creative, and social networks she might not have encountered otherwise. Through TEDx, she made new friends, gained valuable insights from fellow creatives, and discovered mentors to guide her professional journey.
EH: Emma felt empowered by TEDx as a young, emerging professional as the organization is dedicated to emphasizing the individual value and perspectives that each person possesses within and through her experience volunteering, she felt inspired to share more of what makes her unique and the messages she wants to spread.
EH: At TEDx, there’s a place for everyone. With flexibility in commitment levels to accommodate time constraints, scheduling, and personal interests, the volunteer team is incredibly encouraging and considerate. Their mission is to invest in you as an individual. Follow Emma on LinkedIn
ATLANTA — TEDxAtlanta, Georgia’s largest TED affiliate, is pleased to announce its 2024 mainstage conference will be held at Center Stage Atlanta, the iconic performing arts, music, and live entertainment venue that has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s arts community since 1966.
The conference, themed “The Future We Create,” is Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. It promises to be a day thought-provoking conversations and ideas sharing by encouraging attendees to immerse themselves into a future world that they envision where technology and nature complement each other, where heritage and custom give rise to innovation, and where people, neighborhoods, or communities can find mutual understanding.
“Center Stage is such an important part of Atlanta’s rich cultural legacy and a commemoratory space to its arts community,” said said Jacqui Chew, TEDxAtlanta licensee and curator. “For nearly 60 years, Center Stage has served as the home for artists, musicians, and others who, through their art, brought us on journeys harnessed and expanded our imaginations. We’re honored to present our mainstage event here at such an historic venue.”
Center Stage, which opened in 1966, was originally called Theatre Atlanta. It was built by Frania Tye Lee and dedicated to the memory of her daughter, Helen Lee Cartledge, who was one of 103 Atlanta Art Association members who were killed when Air France Flight 007 crashed moments after takeoff at the Orly Airport in 1962.
The venue has been home to many iconic performers, artists, and musicians, including Sir Elton John, Jay-Z, and Lady Gaga.
Event Details
Date: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
Time: 9 am – 6:15 pm
Location: Center Stage Atlanta, 1374 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309
Theme: The Future We Will Create
For more information about volunteer opportunities click here. Interested in supporting TEDxAtlanta 2024 as an in-kind or financial partner? Email hello@tedxatlanta.com.
About TEDxAtlanta
The TEDxAtlanta conference series is an initiative of Ideas into Action, a Georgia-registered nonprofit founded on the belief in the power of ideas to build stronger communities. Along with interactive experiences throughout the year, the TEDxAtlanta event series is planned by a team of volunteers led by Atlanta entrepreneur and TEDxAtlanta licensee Jacqui Chew. These community-led gatherings are part of TED’s TEDx program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Since the first TEDxAtlanta conference in 2009 more than 20 speakers have been featured by TED to be amplified globally from a catalog of 200,000 TEDx Talks. For more information, visit TEDxAtlanta.com.
About TEDx
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, often in the form of short talks delivered by leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED Conferences, intimate TED Salons, and thousands of independently organized TEDx events around the world. Videos of these talks are made available, free, on TED.com and other platforms. Audio versions of TED Talks are published to TED Talks Daily, available on all podcast platforms.
TED’s open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; TEDx, which licenses thousands of individuals and groups to host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities; The Audacious Project, which surfaces and funds critical ideas that have the potential to impact millions of lives; TED Translators Program, which crowdsources the subtitling of TED Talks so that big ideas can spread across languages and borders; and the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED also offers TED@Work a program that reimagines TED Talks for workplace learning. TED also has a growing library of original podcasts, including The TED Interview with Chris Anderson, WorkLife with Adam Grant, Far Flung with Saleem Reshamwala and How to Be a Better Human.
Follow TED on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Péralte C. Paul
peralte@gmail.com
What if everything you’ve been taught about building a successful career no longer applies?
Margaret Weniger has spent years exploring that question from both sides of the table. As director of entrepreneurial programs for CREATE-X at Georgia Institute of Technology, she helps founders navigate uncertainty while building companies designed for the future. As a technology sales executive, leadership strategist and author of “Broken,” she has interviewed hundreds of professionals, founders and executives to understand why some people emerge from career disruption stronger than before.
Margaret’s work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, leadership and the changing nature of work. Drawing from her own unconventional career and years of research, she challenges long-held assumptions about success, ambition and what it really takes to build a meaningful career in a world that refuses to stand still.
At TEDxAtlanta, Margaret invites us to rethink one of the most familiar ideas about work. The answer may change not only how you think about your career, but also how you approach whatever comes next.