TEDxAkron

On Sunday, November 17, 2024 I gave a TEDx Talk.

Standing on the stage at TEDxAkron was a surreal and deeply personal experience. My talk, “Your Voice is Your Story,” explored how our voices are more than tools for communication — they are reflections of who we are, how we feel, and the stories we carry. Preparing for this moment took weeks of hard work and vulnerability, but it was one of the most rewarding journeys of my life.

What most people don’t know about this moment is that this was something I prayed for and have wanted to do since like 2017. I really didn’t know how or when I would be able to do it, but I knew that I wanted to. I even remember submitting a talk topic to TED to no avail. Then one day a few months ago, I was approached to potentially be a part of the return of TEDxAkron. I was so honored and excited to be considered and requested to apply for such a monumental moment in my community.

The idea started with a simple truth: our voices matter. I built my talk around three key themes—voice as emotion, connection, and identity. Now, I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the talk itself before it’s released online, so I’ll keep the rest to myself (hehehe)

While practicing, I found myself overcome with emotion during a deeply personal part of the talk. Tears came unexpectedly, and I worried it might happen on stage too. Sure enough, when I delivered the talk, the same emotions returned. But instead of holding back, I leaned into the vulnerability, realizing that the tears were part of the story I wanted to share. I know that the emotion came from connecting my personal story to the talk that I shared — and my hope is that the audience connected to the talk a bit as well.

Throughout this entire process, the support from the TEDxAkron team and was utterly incredible. I was able to share my heart with them while they shared feedback and encouraged me every step of the way. That sense of community made stepping onto the stage less intimidating and more like being part of something bigger.

Giving the talk taught me that vulnerability isn’t a weakness — it’s a strength that connects us to others. Since the event, I’ve had conversations with people who told me how much my talk inspired them to think differently about their own voices. It’s a reminder that when we share our stories authentically, we create space for connection and growth.

If you’ve ever dreamed of giving a TEDx talk, I encourage you to go for it. Your voice matters, and the world needs to hear it.

What’s your story? Let’s start a conversation.