TEDxBuffalo

Grief doesn’t disappear when we walk into a classroom, workplace, or community. But too often, we don’t know how to acknowledge it when it shows up. Next in our TEDxBuffalo 2026 speaker reveal, we’re honored to introduce Caressa Guerrero, Ph.D. An educator, researcher, and leader with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Guerrero’s work is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. Her research on grief in school communities examines the stories people often carry silently and what can happen when we create space to recognize them. At TEDxBuffalo, Dr. Guerrero will invite us to rethink how we support one another through life’s most difficult moments and consider the role that 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 can play in helping people feel less alone in what they carry. It’s an idea with implications that extend well beyond schools and into our workplaces, families, and communities. We can’t wait to hear Dr. Guerrero share her perspective on the 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿. Ticket information is coming soon. Follow TEDxBuffalo and sign up at TEDxBuffalo.com for event updates. #TEDxBuffalo #TEDx #BuffaloNY #Grief #Education #HumanConnection #IdeasWorthSpreading

What changes when we stop focusing first on what makes us different and start with what we have in common? Next in our TEDxBuffalo 2026 speaker reveal, we’re honored to introduce Christie Cleaver. Christie describes herself as a “quirky, eccentric, middle-aged white lady from the suburbs” with an uncommon ability to connect with people across differences. Behind that memorable introduction is a simple but powerful belief: 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻, 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱. Christie believes meaningful connection begins when we recognize that common humanity, meet people where they are, and choose to love them as they are. At TEDxBuffalo, she’ll explore what becomes possible when we lead with that kind of connection and how choosing love, particularly across our differences, can transform individuals, relationships and communities. We’re especially excited to see Christie’s story, perspective and personality come to life on the 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿. #TEDxBuffalo #TEDx #BuffaloNY #HumanConnection #Community #IdeasWorthSpreading

What if becoming an entrepreneur didn’t mean starting a business from scratch? Next in our 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹, we’re excited to introduce Tim T. Delaney. Tim is an entrepreneur, investor, Buffalo loyalist, and host of the 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 podcast. His own path began when he purchased a small wine and liquor store with limited capital. From there, he went on to build a portfolio of businesses and real estate while creating local jobs and supporting community organizations along the way. Today, Tim spends much of his time helping others understand 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 ��𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. At TEDxBuffalo, he’ll challenge the idea that buying a business is something reserved for the wealthy. Instead, Tim will explore how acquiring an existing business can create wealth for individuals while also doing something bigger: keeping local businesses open, preserving jobs, and strengthening the communities around them. It’s a perspective on entrepreneurship, financial independence, and the future of Main Street that we think will spark some really interesting conversations. See Tim’s talk 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. Ticketing information is coming soon. Follow TEDxBuffalo and sign up at 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼.𝗰𝗼𝗺 for event updates. #TEDxBuffalo #TEDx #BuffaloNY #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #FinancialIndependence #IdeasWorthSpreading

What if accountability wasn’t just about facing consequences in the moment, but about the deeper work that comes afterward? Next in our 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹, we’re excited to introduce 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘆. Carolyn has spent the past 25 years teaching history in public high schools. For the last two years, she has served as the Restorative Justice Coordinator for her district-wide Alternative Learning Program, working with students in grades 5–12. In that role, she helps students do something that can be difficult at any age: reflect honestly on their actions, take accountability for the impact they’ve had, and develop a practical path forward. Her work sits at the intersection of education, accountability and growth, and we’re excited for Carolyn to bring that perspective to the TEDxBuffalo stage. See Carolyn’s talk this October at 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. We’ll be revealing more of our 2026 speakers soon, and ticketing information is coming next. #TEDxBuffalo #TEDx #BuffaloNY #Education #RestorativeJustice #IdeasWorthSpreading

What happens after someone returns to work from one of the hardest experiences of their life? Organizations have made significant strides in workplace wellness. But Lisa Johnson, MA, CVA believes there is still a critical gap in how we support colleagues returning from serious medical journeys. We’re excited to welcome Lisa to the 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 stage this October. As Chief Strategy Officer for Compeer, Lisa’s work is grounded in the belief that meaningful human connection is foundational to both personal well-being and organizational success. She helps professionals build stronger cultures of care through practical learning experiences and evidence-based programs, including Mental Health First Aid and Compeer’s Workplace Mental Wellness training. Her commitment to community extends beyond her professional role through her work supporting organizations including the Breast Cancer Network of WNY and Hope Chest Buffalo. At TEDxBuffalo, Lisa will explore a missing link in workplace wellness: 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿? Her idea is rooted in a simple belief: we can accomplish far more through collaboration than competition. Lisa is inviting Buffalo to help spark a movement that could change the way workplaces across the country care for people during one of the most difficult transitions of their lives. We’ll be introducing more of our 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 soon. #TEDxBuffalo #TEDx #BuffaloNY #WorkplaceWellness #MentalHealth #IdeasWorthSpreading

What does “breaking news” mean when trust in the institutions delivering it is being tested? We’re excited to introduce I'Jaz Ja'ciel as one of six speakers taking the stage at 𝗧𝗘𝗗𝘅𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗼 2026 this October. An award-winning investigative and multimedia reporter with Buffalo Toronto Public Media, I’Jaz is a Buffalo native whose work focuses on government accountability, public policy and data-driven investigations, particularly the ways institutional decisions affect local communities. Her career has included reporting for WBFO, Spectrum News 1 Buffalo and Investigative Post. She has also served as president of the Buffalo chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and has been recognized with a regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and a Changemakers 30 Under 30 Award. At TEDxBuffalo, I’Jaz will 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 “𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀” and examine the threats facing journalism’s traditional role as a pillar of American society. But her idea isn’t just for journalists. Her talk will explore the role 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀, as producers and consumers of information, can play in protecting accountability, trust and integrity in journalism. We’ll be introducing the rest of our 2026 speaker lineup in the weeks ahead. #TEDxBuffalo #TEDx #BuffaloNY #Journalism #IdeasWorthSpreading

This is what TEDx is all about! We are here to support, offer feedback, encourage, and create a space where you can share your ideas with the community (and the world). Congratulations again Stephanie Vito, AIA, ACHA!

A quick update for our TEDxBuffalo 2026 speaker applicants: The committee is now reviewing the hundreds of submissions we received, and we are genuinely impressed by the range of expertise, originality, and lived experience represented across our community. We will be meeting soon to discuss our top applicants. As part of the review process, we may reach out with specific follow-up questions if we need additional clarity on your talk idea or credentials. Once our selected speakers have officially accepted their invitations, we will notify all applicants. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an idea. We are grateful for the thought, creativity, and courage that went into each application.

A friend of mine asked me if doing a TEDx was worth it. I didn’t even hesitate: absolutely! I was able to build a new career, book speaking opportunities, and create a social media presence around my topic, and while I was nervous it would not be well received, it changed my life! If you are in Buffalo, today (May 15th) is the last day to send in your application for TEDxBuffalo ! It was an incredible experience and one I highly suggest if you are passionate about an idea. Good luck! #tedx #buffalony #gamingindustry

This is not a drill. Speaker applications for TEDxBuffalo 2026 close tomorrow. No more extensions. After that, you’ll need to wait until next year. So if this has been sitting on your “maybe someday” list, this is your sign to stop overthinking it and submit the pitch. Your idea does not need to be perfectly polished. Your video does not need to be cinematic. You just need to start. And truly, even if you are not selected, the process of shaping your idea and saying it out loud is great practice. Now is the time. Submit your TEDxBuffalo speaker application by tomorrow at 11:59 pm. https://lnkd.in/ghwP4Z4R