TEDxColumbiaSC is taking place on January 16, 2012, and we encourage you to apply for this phenomenal event. TEDx is an independently organized event licensed by TED, and has spread to the Midlands. 

From more than 40 speaker nominees, the TEDxColumbiaSC speaker selection committee has assembled an incredible group of innovative business leaders, thinkers, artists, entrepreneurs and educators who exemplify the TED platform of Ideas Worth Spreading.

“Every one of our speakers spends his or her day focused on activities that better the lives of those around them,” says Katie Fox, chair of the speaker selection committee. “Their accomplishments, awards and discoveries are remarkably impressive, and yet each displays an open nature, humility and graciousness. With this line-up, we feel that we have a fantastic gift to offer the TEDxColumbiaSC audience.”

In alphabetical order, speakers for the day-long event include:  

• Jay Bender, a local attorney and professor at the University of South Carolina, serving in both the Law School and School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Jay has been a tireless advocate for First Amendment rights and has played a leading role in expanding South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act.
• Anna Bigham, founder and executive director of Hidden Wounds, a non-profit organization that provides interim and emergency counseling services to ensure the psychological health and well-being of combat veterans and their families.
• Teresa Coles, partner at Riggs Partners—a creative marketing brand consultancy—and co-founder of CreateAthon, a 24-hour creative marathon that provides pro bono marketing services to nonprofits nationwide.
• Dr. Julius Fridriksson, director of the Aphasia Laboratory at the University of South Carolina, where he seeks to clarify the relationship between brain damage and speech/language impediments. His work has led to significant breakthroughs in helping stroke victims regain their ability to speak.
• Dr. Stuart Hamilton, founder of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center, established to provide comprehensive, high quality, compassionate medical care in the spirit of the Good Samaritan. With minimal financial support, he has provided medical care for one-third of the poor in Lexington and Richland counties.
• Christine Johnson, executive director of SC Equality, the state’s leading GLBT advocacy organization. Before returning to S.C. to take this role, Christine served two terms as a member of the Utah House of Representatives.
• Eric McClam, co-founder and manager of City Roots, an urban farm focused on sustainable farming methods and supporting the local community.
• Cheri Brown Thompson, founder of The Healing Species, a unique educational program that uses rescued dogs to teach compassion and build character in at-risk youth.
• Dr. John Zubizaretta, professor of English and director of Honors and Faculty Development at Columbia College. In 2010, he was named U.S. Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation.

Additional musical, visual arts and other performers include Columbia Alternacirque, Jarrod Haning, Philippe Herndon, Mark Husey and the Assembly Street Singers, Shigeharu Kobayashi, Robert LeHeup and Darion McCloud.

“We want our audience to be just as engaged and open to new ideas as our speakers are,” says Debi Schadel, media spokesperson for TEDxColumbiaSC. “Every TEDx event is a catalyst for change. When the day is done, we want you to not only share and support the people and projects you’ve just discovered, but also to think about how you can make a lasting difference in our community and our world.”

Attendance is by invitation only and limited to about 400 people. Hopeful attendees must apply online at www.TEDxColumbiaSC.com by Monday, October 31, 2011.  Invites will be e-mailed on or before December 16, and confirmed upon payment of a $25 per person admission fee to defray event costs. Admission includes a box lunch, snacks, coffee breaks and a unique opportunity to be entertained, challenged and inspired by a stellar group speakers and performers from the Midlands of South Carolina. Limited scholarships may be available for those who want to apply but cannot afford the price of admission, with final awards to be determined by the TEDxColumbiaSC team. 

For more information you can follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TEDxColumbiaSC , Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/TEDxColumbiaSC and YouTube at TEDxColumbiaSC.  You may also contact Debi Schadel at 803-348-8861