History of TEDxAkron
Originally founded and organized in 2011 by local businessmen and legends, Sam Falletta and Ned Parks, TEDxAkron presented an opportunity to bring members of the Akron community together to discuss big ideas and issues that could inspire and impact the greater Summit County community and maybe even bring a positive change to the world.
After running 5 amazing TEDxAkron events, Sam and Ned passed the leadership torch and license to Akron leaders and local troublemakers Alexis “Xposyur” Boyd and Ben Bisbee in 2019 to reform in their own vision and continue the TEDxAkron legacy for the community. And then the pandemic arrived, upending plans, lives, and challenging the landscape of so many things, including the potential future of TEDxAkron… until now!
TEDxAkron is Back! Complete with a new spirit and attitude, but the same inclusive passion for showcasing Akron’s diverse voice and spirit, TEDxAkron is excited to continue its historic legacy of bringing big ideas to the stage from our local community. Returning to the stage on November 17th, 2024 at The Knight Stage at The Civic Theater in downtown Akron, the 2024 Salon event Industrial Evolution is an opportunity to bring members of the Akron community together once again, to discuss big ideas and philosophies that will inspire and impact the greater Akron community and maybe even the wider world!
In the weeks and months ahead, Alexis and Ben invite you to pay close attention to where TEDxAkron is headed and how you can become personally invested and involved. The conversation isn’t over - it’s only beginning!
Welcome to the evolution.
Equally fierce, funny, focused, and fashionable, Alexis and Ben met in 2018 at a TEDxAkron pitch event and became fast friends and collaborators shortly thereafter.
Alexis took the TEDxAkron stage that fall and Ben excitedly cheered her on in the Goodyear Theater audience, never the two knowing that within a few years, they’d both be leading this amazing organization to allow others a chance to speak their mind in the limelight and chase their teams of making Akron a bigger, smarter, more wonderful place to live.
As co-organizers, Alexis and Ben are working to make TEDxAkron the event to see and be seen, while also creating a unique place for Akron (and greater Summit County) to come together to share big ideas, inspire people, and drive powerful change. And along the way, they hope you’ll join them and contribute to the greatness.
What is TED?
TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment, and Design topics converged. Yet today, it spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives exploring everything from science and business to education, arts, and global issues as a platform allowing everyone and anyone an opportunity to present in front of a community of witnesses and talk openly about big ideas. Today, TED is a nonprofit dedicated to discovering and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding, and drive meaningful change. The organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder, and the pursuit of knowledge — without an agenda. TED welcomes people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and connection with others and invites everyone to engage with ideas and activate them in their community. To learn more about TED visit their website here.
What is TEDx?
The rambunctious baby sibling of TED, TEDx is a localized, grassroots initiative, created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to research and discover “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx programs bring the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through their own TEDx events. These events are organized by passionate individuals who seek to uncover new ideas and share the latest research in their local areas that spark conversations in their communities. TEDx events include live speakers and recorded TED Talks, and are organized independently under a free license granted by TED. TED does not control these events, but local event organizers agree to abide by the required format and are offered guidelines for curation, speaker coaching, event organizing, and more. More than 3000 events are now held annually across the globe and around the block.
