tedx Youth @ jefferson street

Because we believe young people are reservoirs of untapped brilliance, we must create more intentional spaces where their ideas are not just heard but valued. These emerging leaders deserve opportunities to present their visions—not just as personal aspirations, but as meaningful contributions to the communities they call home. That’s why it’s important we frame this platform not only as a stage for expression but as a civic invitation.

Community matters deeply here. In fact, did you know that acts of service—giving back—can reduce stress, foster a stronger sense of purpose, increase happiness, and even enhance long-term well-being? That’s not just data; that’s a blueprint for thriving.

So yes, we enthusiastically welcome presenters who can articulate how their idea or innovation connects to the well-being of their community. If your talk can illuminate how your passion contributes to the common good—whether through problem-solving, cultural uplift, or sparking new conversations—you’re already living the spirit of TEDxYouth. That’s what civic-minded brilliance looks like.

Parents, Teachers and Mentors

If this excites you, even a fraction of how much it excites us, please encourage a youth you know to submit a three-minute video about what they would like to present. It doesn’t have to be a flawless presentation (it will definitely be viewed as an audition). We simply want to get an idea of what your youth is interested in and where they are coming from. 

For instance, if your S.T.E.A.M. enthusiat is into dance as an art form, how could they translate dance into an idea worth sharing or an call to action that would also benefit the community? How would they pull that off? Have a dance studio in a low-income part of their city? Connect with nonprofits that would sponsor dance events for high-risk youth? Host their own dance presentations for free in neighborhoods that would possibly never get to experience the arts any other way? Then, how would they find sponsors to support their idea? Those are just a few ideas to help.

Please ensure you/your youth is energetic and eager to participate. The 3-minute audition video is the only item we'll use for the selection process. We will notify you by email if the person your budding TEDx speaker is selected. The selection process is competitive. If not chosen this year, we may offer a spot for a future talk.

CHECKLIST

1. Submit 3-min. video by TBD. The selection confirmation will be sent by TBD. The first day of bootcamp is TBD.
2. Make sure you have a YouTube account (You can get YouTube through Gmail)
3. The 3-minute talk should be about what the youth enjoys or is passionate about, i.e., sports, singing, reading, playing minecraft, building legos, robotics, coding, making slime, building a gingerbread house, engineering, making things from popsicle sticks, reading comic books, cooking (yes, that's science! -- anything!)
4. Upload your video to your YouTube account (mark unlisted)
5. Send link from YouTube to profbynum@gmail.com (the submission process is open and a closing date will be posted here soon. If you decide to wait to submit, please check back to confirm the cutoff date.