Finalists! @Terry Williams , @Kenneth Morris , @Sherhara Burrell , @Mary Ann Hughes et al, what's one piece of advice you wish you knew before applying based on your experience making it all the way through the process? Share in the comments. Applicants, ask a question in the comments and myself or one of the finalists will answer!

This is for those who missed a wonderful curated virtual open house. It was filled with wonderful information and insight. I’ve since refined my idea and will be resubmitting my application. Attending the open house was essential, as it clearly clarified the expectations for this upcoming event. The approach is notably different from the speeches I heard on 1/10/26, and the message came through loud and clear. I’m fully receptive and aligned moving forward.

What's your inspiration behind the RED Dot if you're a speaker applicant?

I’m excited to share that my TEDx talk is officially live on YouTube. It starts from a simple but slightly uncomfortable question about friendship, loyalty, and growth, and unpacks why some ideas are meant to challenge what we’ve been taught to value. It’s the kind of title that should make you pause, maybe raise an eyebrow, and feel compelled to click, the same way a good book title pulls you in before you’ve read a single page. 👉 Watch here: https://youtu.be/FAoGs4Bw7fg?si=nrKxY1zUAEwnUSD6 As you watch, please leave a comment directly on YouTube responding to one or two of these prompts: - What made the title work or not work for you before you even pressed play? - What moment in the talk clarified the real idea behind the provocative framing? - How does this change the way you think about loyalty, growth, or who we keep close? For those of you thinking about applying to speak at a TEDx event, pay attention not just to what is said, but how the idea is framed to invite curiosity and conversation. Looking forward to reading your thoughts.

I’ve been sitting with last Thursday’s virtual event, and I’m grateful for the ideas shared 🙌🏾 The biggest takeaway I’m still holding is this: clarity travels faster than effort ⚡️ — and the people who stand out aren’t doing more, they’re doing the right thing consistently 🎯 Special thanks to @Durrell Douglas for leading the conversation so effectively and keeping the space moving with intention 👏🏾🧠 Here’s what I’m implementing this week based on what I heard ✅: 1. Clarifying the one problem I solve 🧩 2. Tightening the one sentence I want people to remember ✍🏾 3. Taking one uncomfortable action that moves the needle 🚀 Now I’m curious 👀: what’s one idea from last Thursday that you’re implementing in the next 7 days? Drop it below ⬇️ so we can hold each other to it 🤝🏾