Arlington TedX Speakers Include Transgender Teen, Nonprofit Founder

A TedX event in Arlington this fall will feature nine speakers, including a transgender teen, an 11-year-old YouTube vlogger and the founder of a local nonprofit.

TedXArlington is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent Street), and tickets are $75. The theme of this year’s conference is “Connectedness.”

“Connectedness means building community through connections and networks. At TEDxArlington, we will explore connectedness from different layered perspectives including family, neighbors, community — even strangers — and from the lens of science, nature, art, technology, culture, history, athletics, work and more,” according to the TedXArlington website.

Each speaker will give a talk or presentation about different topics that all have to do with connectedness.

Speakers include:

• Norton Beckerman — The author of “A User’s Guide to a Healthy Brain,” Beckerman will give a talk about cognition and tell the story of how he bounced back from a loss of cognitive function.
• Kristina Dorville — Dorville, the chief of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Education and Awareness branch, will discuss cybersecurity and cyber safety.
• Patricia Funegra — Funegra, the founder of non-profit La Cocina, will talk about creating jobs for minority communities through food.
• Adryann Glenn — Glenn will discuss how he turned his life around after serving three years in jail.
• Lisa Nisenson — Nisenson will look at how transportation connects people.
• Evie Priestman — Priestman will talk about his journey from female to male and the support he received.
• Carolyn Rickard-Brideau — Rickard-Brideau will share how buildings are connected and impact daily physical and mental health.
• Elizabeth Tippens — Tippens will show how she uses her YouTube channel to connect kids and local Arlington businesses.
• John Wanda — Wanda will speak about the Arlington Academy of Hope, which helps children in rural Uganda.