TEDxUniversityofMississippi hosted its ninth yearly event Tuesday, Feb. 20, with talks focusing on topics like mental health, self-worth, identity and purpose.
TED is a non-profit organization that holds regular conferences with distinguished speakers who share their greatest ideas with the public. TEDx focuses on a specific community with guests and topics relevant to the area. Such was the case with the Tuesday event hosted by UM’s chapter of the organization.
“I thought all the speakers were insightful,” Ethan O’Neil, a freshman general business major, said. “I liked the message that you can be an artist in whatever you do. I can apply that to schoolwork or what I do outside of school.”
O’Neil’s appreciative words were in response to the presentation by Jason Bouldin, a nationally renowned artist who spoke about the importance of finding art in every profession, not just his own.
“Don’t fall for the wrong definition of what an artist is supposed to be,” Bouldin said. “Being an artist is nothing more than being sensitive to the issue or to the problem. What we name things matters. How we name ourselves matters.”
Bryn Loftness, a doctoral candidate in the complex systems and data science program at the University of Vermont, presented her work on identifying underlying factors of mental health problems in children. She explained her hope that by addressing these risks sooner, children will have more tools to deal with mental health concerns later in life.
“It is clear that in order to live as healthier adults, we must ensure that children can access the care they need when they need it most,” Loftness said. “My day-to-day work revolves around creating new, data-driven solutions that can improve mental health across different and diverse populations.”
Reece Nighswander, a sophomore mathematics major, appreciated Loftness’ perspective on mental health.
“This was my first TEDx conference, and I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere and the talks,” Nighswander said. “I think my favorite was about finding mental health indicators sooner rather than later. It’s something I resonate with, as my mom is doing her Ph.D in similar work.”
Jaylin Smith, a second-year graduate student in journalism at UM, presented her experience as a Black woman and how the hair of all Black women should not be restricted by cultural expectations, but instead should be emblematic of their strength and perseverance.
“We must learn to love our hair the way our hair loves us because the world is watching,” Smith said. “Black hair is wild and unpredictable and beautifully crafted like waves in the ocean; it cannot be settled by the sands of social normalities.”
After the event, Smith shared a message for UM students, encouraging them to be their authentic selves.
“I think whatever color you are, whatever creed, whatever ethnic background you come from, be your authentic self and whatever room you go into, someone will notice,” Smith said. “Know that there are going to be people who are rooting for you in those rooms, even when you’re not in them.”
Another speaker at the event, Dr. Alisha Rai, a family physician practicing in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, shared her story of becoming a mother, encouraging others to be aware of the struggles faced by those with infertility.
“As a society, let’s change the notion that if it doesn’t happen naturally and effortlessly, that it just wasn’t meant to be,” Rai said. “For many, the journey to motherhood is one of perseverance, hard work and grit.”
Rai ended her talk with advice for those struggling to have a child.
“Remember that your worth and your identity is not based on the result at the end of a stick,” Rai said. “What do you call a woman who has had to work hard to have a child? The answer is simple: Mom.”
Jasmine Kelley, the diversity education and strategic initiatives director at UM, spoke about the importance of asking questions and how doing so can help you make institutional change.
“At this time, our institutions have a unique obligation and opportunity to address the current social inequities regarding student success for all because of the core mission of our institutions,” Kelley said. “It involves transformative, equitable opportunities, operating within a standard of excellence and inspiring diverse communities in ways that improve society.”
Kelley ended her talk with a challenge for students to embrace their decisions with intentionality and use those choices to make a difference.
Founder of Anubis Improv in New Orleans and Oxford, David James Hamilton rounded out the night’s speakers with a talk about the importance of his craft.
“I genuinely believe the art of improv is for everyone,” Hamilton said. “If we’re all going to be improvising our way through life anyway, why not try to approach that experience being open to discovering new opportunities and exploring those opportunities with a sense of wonder?”
