It’s been 15 years since Atlanta was introduced to the first cohort of local thinkers, doers and storytellers on this local TEDx stage — 15 years of shaping the future we create together. And there was no better way to celebrate this journey than with TEDxAtlanta’s annual mainstage conference on February 28.
It was a day of inspirational ideas, deep connections and immersive experiences that opened our hearts and minds to possibilities. From groundbreaking innovations to deeply human stories, each block of the day unfolded new dimensions of insight—all shaping the future we create together.
“The ideas shared this year remind us that the future isn’t something that happens to us; it’s something we create together. We are not passengers on a train speeding to an uncertain destination. We are conductors,” says TEDxAtlanta Licensee Jacqui Chew.
Through four sessions of thought-provoking talks and performances: boldly leaping into the unknown and unfamiliar, reimagining pathways to a sustainable future, connecting the non-obvious dots and embracing humanity’s full potential—TEDxAtlanta 2025 set free 16 bold ideas toward the future we create.
The Future We Create, In Which We Boldly Leap
Session one kicked off with stories of audacious moves, pioneering breakthroughs and fearless decisions that reshape industries and lives.
- Bridge-builder Ana Tardio. Shared her journey from small-town Spaniard to worldly global citizen and the epiphany that food is more than nourishment. It is a culture connector.
- Muralist George F. Baker III. Invited us to embrace the glory of the try reminding us that “it’s just paint” and to be fearless in our pursuits be it professional or personal.
- Sustainability champion James Marlow. Took us on his personal and spiritual journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Coastal Georgia showing us the restorative effects of Nature.
- Compassion connector Jordan Arogeti. Challenged us to rethink the way we show up for others and shared a first-ever Support Language lexicon.
- Parade artist Chantelle Rytter. Wowed us with the power of parades, reminding us that creativity isn’t just self-expression—it’s a way to build community and shape culture.
And, what better way to cap off session one than with a flash parade featuring band members from the Black Sheep Ensemble!
The Future We Create, In Which We Reimagine Pathways to a Sustainable Future
Thought leaders explored bold solutions, from cutting-edge technology to everyday choices that redefine our relationship with the planet.
- Sustainability researcher Patricia Stathatou. Made the case for a practical framework to keep in mind when developing green technologies by illustrating how going green is a winding path strewn with good intentions but often unintended consequences.
- Slow fashion evangelist Tia Robinson. Unveiled the hidden complexities and wastes of the fashion supply chain where 1/3 of garments produced never sell making the case that we can all be the force for good one fashion choice at a time.
- Materials scientist Christos E. Athanasiou. Shifted our perspective on space exploration by illustrating how inspiration from Nature and indigenous wisdom is inspiring the research and development being undertaken to build materials for human settlement on Mars AND here on Earth.
- Kofi from The Bardo’s performance gave us pause to reflect on our connectedness to Nature, the planet and each other.
- Entrepreneur Sandeep Ahuja. Offered an intriguing new paradigm where wealth is defined by the carbon we don’t emit or create.
The Future We Create, In Which We Connect the Dots
Ideas in this session each live at a multitude of crossroads surfacing the unexpected and the inspired with a reminder of our common humanity.
SolDance kicked off this block with a rejuvenating activity, setting an energizing tone.
- Humanistic leadership catalyst Leon C. Prieto. Leveraged the the Trinidad & Tobago tradition of cooperation or “gayap,” and a variety of real world examples, to issue a call for balanced capitalism where profit meets empathy.
- Ecosystem builder Aly Merritt. Chatted with TEDxAtlanta licensee Jacqui Chew about South Downtown, an urban design project reimagining 56 buildings across 16 acres to preserve history while fostering modern connections.
- Neonatologist Puneet Sharma. Described the tough realities of the intensive care unit for newborns and the role that human-centered AI is playing and can continue to play in redefining care for better outcomes for newborns in medical distress.
- Inventor Gaurav Byagathvalli. Closed out the session with the revolutionary use of the technology behind the bbq grill lighter to develop a groundbreaking mRNA vaccine delivery device with wide ranging implications for global health.
The Future We Create, In Which We Embrace Humanity’s Full Potential
Closing the day, these talks celebrated resilience, creativity, and the power of human connection to shape a better future.
- Accessibility advocate L. Denise Wells. Opened the last session of the day with a passionate argument for accessibility for those living with disabilities making a compelling appeal to our common humanity.
- Workplace catalyst Walt Brown. Extended our understanding of the relationship between promises made, kept and broken, and trust to something greater than ourselves. That this relationship is one of the critical pillars for an equitable, harmonious and inclusive future.
- Cognitive scientist Brian Magerko. Took us on a humor-filled, visually entertaining odyssey of the 10-year quest to create a new artistic dance form LuminAI that blurred the lines between human and machine creation.
- Purpose architect Jeff Hilimire. Urged us to dream small and use our gifts to do good in the world by breaking down the change we want to see in the world into small, manageable chunks.
Elyse Naoma Haskell, AKA Naoma, closed out the day with an electrifying performance inviting the entire team and all attendees to literally and figuratively danced together to create our shared future.
Celebrating Partners
None of this would be possible without the support of our partners. This year, we had the privilege of reconnecting with past collaborators while also forging new relationships.
- Fueling inspiration starts with the right partners, and we couldn’t have asked for better. A huge thank you to Angelle Consulting for amplifying our impact, ProSnap Booth for the photobooth, Shawn Sheperd of Triple S. Shots for capturing the moments, Boarding Pass Coffee Company for keeping everyone well caffeinated, sTEAp House for the soothing tea, (ON CAM) Ready for the social media amplification, and Cultured South Fermentation Co. for supporting our gut health with most excellent kombucha and for the grazing boards at the afterparty.
- Immersive experiences turn ideas into action. Our senses were engaged in the X-Zone Hub by Scentonomy’s bespoke aromatherapy bar, sTEAp House’s engaging tea blending experience, Metric Mate®’s data-driven strength challenge and GreenSocks Mobile Massage’s relaxing spot massage sessions.
- Spaces and community shaped the event experience. From VIP seating by Party Bound to the yoga and sound bath experiences in the Refresh Room by The Bardo and Sol Dance, our very first bookstore powered by Little Shop of Stories, and the transformation of the basement level backstage area in the wellness hub and speaker green room that was the X-Zone Den by the talented interior designers and furnishings from Currie Rose Interiors.
Powered by Community
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers, whose dedication and hard work brought TEDxAtlanta 2025 to life. From seamless logistics to creating a welcoming experience, their efforts made every moment possible. A special thank you to Co-organizer Sophie whose operational leadership and passion ensured logistics ran like clock-work and to Licensee Jacqui whose ideas curation, X-Zone experiences and speaker coaching shaped an unforgettable day of connections and conversation.
This is Just the Beginning
This year’s conference was a milestone, made special by the future-facing ideas that inspired everyone in attendance. Speakers, sponsors, and participants are all part of something bigger—the future we create together.
TEDxAtlanta isn’t just an event; it’s a year-round community. Through talks, interactive events, and networking, we keep the conversation going. Stay connected and be part of the future we create.
