TEDx Bellevue College Explores Perception

How do you know what you think you know? How does perception shape what you think you’re capable of, how you should interact with others, even how to change the world? On Tuesday, Feb. 7, a dozen innovative speakers will arrive on the Bellevue College campus for its first TEDx event at the Carlson Theater, with talks inspired by the word ‘perception.’ Topics range from the importance of silence in healing communities, why it’s never too late to quit a successful career in corporate America to start a rock band, and how an understanding of neurodiversity can help institutions develop the unique potential of each member in their organization.

“I think the diverse range of speakers are going to offer a fresh perspective and spark conversations about what we perceive, how we perceive, and what we can do to shift or broaden our perspectives to be more inclusive, engaged, and successful,” said Alonda Williams, TEDxBellevueCollege founder and organizing committee member.

Attendees will also be able to participate in interactive activities between sessions to experiment with their own sense of perception. As seating is limited for this inaugural event, those interested must submit an application by January 20 through the event’s website at www.bellevuecollege.edu/tedx. Notifications will be sent the week of January 30 to those who have been selected to attend, and those on the waitlist. The event will also be available online for viewers afterward.

The independently produced event, operated under a license from TED, was organized by community volunteers and is aimed at creating dialogue as well as giving people a forum to share their passions, ideas and experiences.

Speakers and performers include:

• Kyle Wilson, Indigenous Rhetoric Coordinator Arizona State University
• Micki O’Brien, Co-Founder, Aligned Education
• Dr. Norm Alston, Founder Zeno Math and eMode Learning Foundation
• Fernando Perez, assistant professor of writing at Bellevue College
• Jane Wong, Visiting Assistant Professor at Pacific Lutheran University
• Tammi Doyle, Chair of the Theatre Arts Department of Drama and Dance at Bellevue College
• Amy Mack, Executive Director of Year Up
• Paula Boggs, Philanthropist, Lawyer and Musician
• James Osborne, IT Manager Bellevue College and Author of Will Your Way Back (1/31/2017)
• Dr. Nancy Gonlin, Professional archaeologist and Professor, Bellevue College
• Jenni Flinders, Creator, People for Innovation, Founder of le Pont vers la Vie Académie and the Ellie Rose Foundation
• Nina Jennings, Senior User Experience Researcher, Hardlines at Amazon and Author

More information:

Tickets are free. Those who wish to attend can apply at www.bellevuecollege.edu/tedx. For more information about the event; how to volunteer; how your company can sponsor, visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/tedx.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or fewer) delivered by today’s leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED’s annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, and made available, free, on TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

TED’s open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from thousands of volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; the annual million-dollar TED Prize, which funds exceptional individuals with a “wish,” or idea, to create change in the world; TEDx, which provides licenses to thousands of individuals and groups who host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED or Instagram at https://instagram.com/ted.