“Everyone has their own story to tell,” said Koryn Young who is one of the speakers at this weekend’s local TEDx event. 

The TED brand, combined with the support of the Knight Foundation, is bringing TEDx to Macon to have those stories told. 

Like Ted, TEDx was “created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to research and discover ‘ideas worth spreading.’” according to the TEDx website but TedX is more focused on local communities. 

The event is called TEDxPoplarStreet and it is scheduled for June 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Rosa Parks Square in downtown Macon.

The theme is “Wonderful Stories in the Macon!!” and will have speakers like Executive Director of Storytellers Macon & Engagement Coordinator at Bike Walk Macon Koryn Young. 

Young said she auditioned to speak at the TEDx event before being selected.

“What I’m going to speak about is the part where Macon has problems. And we have, you know, statistically, perceptions that are maybe unsavory,” Young said.

Young wanted to talk about, ultimately, the “spirit and heart of our city” during her time on stage.

“The end of that conversation is everybody comes out of that with a love and a positive feeling towards the city of Macon that we live in,” Young said. 

The other speakers will have their own stories to tell about Macon and what the city has meant to their lives. 

TEDxPoplarStreet will feature these eleven speakers: 

Alex Morrison, Executive Director of the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority

Ansley Booker, Director of Mercer Universityʼs Office of Diversion and Inclusion Initiatives

Brenda Williams, Houston and Macon Judicial Circuits Alternative Dispute Resolution Program

Director

Chachi Butler, Chief Marketing Officer for Freedom Fireworks

David Davis, Sheriff of Macon-Bibb County

Gloria Cissé, Therapist and CEO

Koryn Young, Executive Director of Storytellers Macon & Engagement Coordinator at Bike Walk Macon

Nancy Cleveland, Program Manager at One World Link

Princess Davis, Choreographer and Actress

Verda Colvin, Judge, Georgia Court of Appeals

Virgil Watkins, Macon-Bibb County Commissioner / Realtor

Tickets are free and you can register at Ted.com/tedx/events/35887.