Musician Wyclef Jean's very personal story of how at-risk youth can be turned away from street violence by music and music education. Wyclef Jean is an accomplished musician, skilled producer, dedicated humanitarian and Haitian refugee. Jean has sold over 100 million albums, has received three Grammy Awards® and knows how to play seven instruments. Jean formed legendary Hip Hop group the Fugees. Wyclef has evolved an iconic catalogue of hits such as "Gone Till November", "Hips Don't Lie" and "Sweetest Girl" and produced award winning hits for artists such as Carlos Santana and Whitney Houston. Wyclef's latest EP J'ouvert has accumulated over 100 million streams worldwide. His first album in eight years, Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee, drops September 15, 2017. Even after raising to international fame, Jean has never forgotten where he’s come from. Wyclef has a deep sense of Haitian pride as well as a passion for public service and social activism. Wyclef has been activist for many causes as well as a big supporter of his homeland. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Dr. Gordon Chiu's young daughters changed his life - and motivated the noted inventor and researcher to turn from solving complex technical and scientific challenges to analyzing those elements of daily life which deliver true happiness. Dr. Gordon Chiu is a visionary, an inventor, an entrepreneur, a public speaker, a lecturer, a corporate advisor, a husband, a father and an educator. As an entrepreneur, he is known as "an execution driven businessman". As an inventor, he has a series of patents and collaborations with multiple universities in several countries. He gave his first Tedx talk in 2014 in the field of graphene and identified that the lack of creativity in education and teamwork amongst governments is a threat to graphene's success within this century. Dr. Gordon Chiu is engaged in the discovery and research of graphene at a variety of globally acclaimed academic institutions. He is the founding partner of Grafoid Inc. As one who is interested in blending technology, science and cutting edge knowledge to create breakthroughs around the world, his skills range from a former research scientist at Pfizer and Merck & Co. to solid business links with Wall Street and Asia. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

A young African-American musician seemed an unlikely candidate to take on the Ku Klux Klan - but Daryl Davis used honesty, respect and human understanding to break down and dissolve the bitter, time-worn barriers that he encountered. Daryl Davis is an American R&B and blues musician, author, actor and bandleader, known for his energetic style of Boogie-woogie piano. Davis has played with such musicians as Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Bruce Hornsby, and Bill Clinton. His efforts to improve race relations, in which as an African-American he engaged with members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), have been reported on by media such as CNN and the Washington Post. Davis summed up his advice as: "Establish dialogue. When two enemies are talking, they're not fighting.   Daryl  received rave reviews for his stage roles in William Saroyan’s The Time Of Your Life with a famed cast of Marcia Gay Harden, Brigid Cleary, Richard Bauer, Dion Anderson, and Henry Strozier. Daviwas a key player in Elvis Mania which was extended by twmonths due to popular demand in New York City at an off-Broadway theatre. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The path from addiction to recovery is very different for everyone who undertakes it. Vanessa Vitolo's path has motivated her not only to help others in their recovery but to engage in statewide policymaking efforts as well. Originally from South Jersey, Vanessa's life and recovery is based in North Jersey where she now resides. With a degree in communications and public relations, Vanessa understands the importance of connection and of forging strong relationships in all aspects of life. She is a strong advocate for addiction and recovery working very closely with the Governor Christies office on the ReachNJ campaign as well as with the President's task force combating addiction. She has found her purpose through the process of recovery which is to spread the hope she has found to others. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Gandhi This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Regina Asmutis-Silvia, Executive Director of Whale and Dolphin Conservation North America, shares observations around marine mammals' complex patterns of behavior, offering insight on their vital role in maintaining the world's environmental balance. Regina Asmutis-Silvia is the Executive Director and Senior Biologist for Whale and Dolphin Conservation- North America. She has undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry and a graduate degree in biology. She has been active in whale research, conservation and education since 1990. Regina currently sits on the federally appointed Atlantic Large Whale, Harbor Porpoise, Bottlenose Dolphin, and Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Teams. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

For Americans, slavery is the stuff of history books, sailing ships and shackles. Richard Lee's work with International Justice Mission shines a light on the complex socioeconomics of modern day slavery around the world, and offers hope for combatting it. Richard Lee serves as a Director of Church Mobilization for International Justice Mission. This role affords him the opportunity to equip churches and communities by sharing the biblical call to seek justice, introducing them to IJM’s work, and mobilizing them to engage in both local and global ministry. Previously, Richard served as Campus Pastor at Liquid Church at their fastest-growing campus in Mountainside, New Jersey. Prior to that, he served as Lead Pastor at Bethany Well Church. He also started and led 2 networks for pastors, providing accountability and encouragement for local pastors. In addition, Richard has served as a Missions Field Director and Team Leader for missions trips around the globe, including trips to Mexico, China, and Ukraine. He is available to speak at church engagements, anti-human trafficking groups, and a variety of conferences. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Sarah Stevenson explores emerging technologies which go beyond ordinary social interaction and commerce and offer rich visual and aural context for the places and structures in our lives. Sarah Stevenson is a thought-leader in the emerging immersive technologies and artificial intelligence space. She leads partnerships for Live Planet, an end-to-end virtual reality distribution system created by the founder of CNET and facilitates AI research for KurzweilAI Network owned by Ray Kurzweil, Director of Engineering at Google. Previously, she co-founded a full-service 360 video production company, REVRIE Immersive; led strategic partnerships for VRLA, the world’s largest virtual and augmented reality expo; was a LaunchPad Fellow at Oculus; served as AES Session Chair for the first Audio for VR conference; and has consulted on the subject of emerging technologies to clients such as Spotify, The Economist, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, DCTV and NYU. She founded Women in VR/AR NYC and DC in 2015. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Triathlete Carlie Eckel wasn't the only one to leap off a ferryboat into Delaware Bay that day... but the fearless 14-year-old may have been the most determined. Carlie's decision to compete, and the steps she took to accomplish her goals, speak to the power of a young woman's spirit. This year’s Lower Cape May Regional High School student TEDxCapeMay talk will be given by Cape May resident Carlie Eckel. Carli breaks the small town mold, and is a huge believer in being yourself, and being confident in who you are as a person. Carlie has competed in nine triathlons since the age of fourteen and plans on competing in a half ironman next September. She plans on becoming a high school art teacher so she can spread “spirit and enthusiasm to more generations.” This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

When conservation biologist Blaine Rothauser sees green, he sees red. That's because he's witnessed the loss of habitat and biodiversity in the face of the seeding and sodding of the American landscape. Are we all victims of "nature deficit disorder"? Conservation Biologist Blaine Rothauser is a Senior Natural Resource Specialist and Conservation Biologist with GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., a nationally recognized environmental consulting firm. He is also a professional wildlife photographer whose images have graced the pages of natural history magazines, books, corporate reports and calendars. Blaine works extensively in New Jersey on conservation management planning and design, threatened and endangered (T&E) species analysis, regulatory permitting, bio-ecologic inventories, and environmental impact studies. In addition to 26 years as a professional ecologist, Blaine brings a passion for his home state’s iconic natural history which he readily shares in captivating and visually-rich presentations to everyone from corporate to community groups to students. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx