TEDxOakParkSalon

Love TEDx Talks but want to participate in a discussion about the topic? TEDxOakParkSalon events welcome an intimate audience for curated TED and TEDx Talks revolving around a relevant theme. They are distinct in their brevity and opportunities for conversation.

Since 2015, TEDxOakPark has organized a large, annual event designed to spark conversation and connection in our community by combining engaging speakers, recorded TED Talks, and a networking reception. The pandemic led to uncertainty about when we can safely gather in groups. With so much unknown and in-person events on hold, we decided to focus on TEDxOakParkSalon events for our 2020-21 season. You can learn more about these engaging events below.

We do not have our next TEDxOakParkSalon scheduled yet, as we pivot once more to focus on TEDxOakParkWomen.

“The Duality of Comfort + Discomfort,” July 15, 2021

We had an excellent turnout for our third virtual TEDxOakParkSalon, The Duality of Comfort + Discomfort. Thanks to all who joined us!

The evening kicked off with a livestream of an original TEDx Talk by Debra Vines at the beautiful Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park, followed by two curated TED/TEDx videos. Small groups gathered virtually in breakout rooms after each video to reflect on the ideas and share experiences. In case you missed it, you can view the recordings by clicking on the links below. We’ve also included the discussion questions for each video, so you can continue the conversation and share these “ideas worth spreading” in your community.

Debra Vines - Parents of Children with Special Needs Have Needs, Too

When Debra's son was born, little was known about what we now refer to as “the spectrum.” She began searching for answers in her under-resourced community but found none. Instead, she found a coping mechanism that changed her life forever. Debra's TEDx Talk takes us through her quest for answers and how her love for her son drove Debra to make a difference in her community.

Jia Jiang - What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection

Jia Jiang adventures boldly into a territory so many of us fear: rejection. By seeking out rejection for 100 days -- from asking a stranger to borrow $100 to requesting a "burger refill" at a restaurant -- Jiang desensitized himself to the pain and shame that rejection often brings and, in the process, discovered that simply asking for what you want can open up possibilities where you expect to find dead ends.

Stacey Abrams - Three Questions to Ask Yourself About Everything You Do

How you respond to setbacks is what defines your character, says Stacey Abrams, the first Black woman in the history of the United States to be nominated by a major party for governor. In an electrifying talk, she shares the lessons she learned from her campaign for governor of Georgia -- and some advice on how to change the world. "Be aggressive about your ambition," Abrams says.

“Resilience + Perseverance,” March 18, 2021

We had an excellent turnout for our second virtual TEDxOakParkSalon, Resilience + Perseverance. Thanks to all who joined us!

The evening began with an original and inspiring talk by Oak Parker Lola Wright, followed by two curated TED/TEDx videos. We gathered in breakout groups after each video to share our own opinions and experiences. In case you missed it, you can view the recordings by clicking on the links below. We’ve also included the discussion questions for each video, so you can continue the conversation and share these “ideas worth spreading” with your own circles.

Lola Wright – Your Purpose is Your Protest

Lola Wright has a gift for weaving together the mystical and material. Her work has taken her to stages around the world as a leader, minister, speaker and vocalist. Currently, Lola connects through coaching, events, and creating community with people seeking their purpose, and hosts the highly-rated podcast, Find Your Fierce & Loving. In her TEDxOakParkSalon talk, Lola challenges us to dig deep and find our own purpose so we can rise above our doubts, resist the status quo, and discover how we can each make a unique contribution to society.

“One of the most radical things that you may do in your lifetime is honor your unique purpose.”

Luvvie Ajayi Jones – Get comfortable with being uncomfortable

Our second video featured Chicagoan Luvvie Ajayi Jones from TEDWomen 2017. Luvvie is an author, speaker and digital strategist who thrives at the intersection of comedy, technology and activism. Her newest book Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual, was recently released. Luvvie isn't afraid to speak her mind and neither should you. In this bright, uplifting talk, Luvvie shares three questions to ask yourself if you're teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down, and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

“Bridges that aren’t based on truth will collapse, so it is our job, it is our obligation, it is our duty, to speak truth to power, to be the domino. Not just when it’s difficult - especially when it’s difficult.”

Özlem Cekic – Why I have coffee with people who send me hate mail

Our final video was a talk presented by TED in 2018. Özlem Cekic became the first female Muslim in the Danish Parliament in 2007, and her inbox has been full of hate mail ever since. At first, she deleted these messages, until one day she decided to invite the haters to meet for coffee. Hundreds of "dialogue coffee" meetings later, Özlem shares how face-to-face conversation can be one of the most powerful forces to disarm hate and challenges us all to engage with people who hold opposing points of view. 

“Conversation is the most difficult thing in a democracy – and also the most important.”

“Creativity from Chaos,” October 1, 2020

Our first-ever virtual TEDxOakParkSalon event was a success, with lots of lively discussion around the theme “Creativity from Chaos.” We thank all those who participated! The event featured three TED talk videos and two small-group breakout discussions. Our evening ended with a discussion of the overall themes that emerged in our breakout groups. In case you missed it, you can view the TED talk recordings by clicking on the links below.

What we talked about:

How have you stayed connected to your heart and your world?  |  Have you learned a new skill or hobby?  |  What is one thing you’d like to see come out of these events?  |  What were you taught about boredom, “wasted time,” or being idle?  |  When do you get your most creative or inspired ideas?  | Will your phone be a tool or a taskmaster?

January 7th, 2020 - Let’s ALL Talk About Joy
We kicked off the 2020 with a free, family-friendly salon at the Austin Library. Centered around the theme of Let’s All Talk About Joy, the event featured TED Talk videos, group discussion, and fun activities that celebrated all the things that bring us joy.

September 24, 2019 - Let’s ALL Talk About Sustainability
Let's ALL Talk About Sustainability featured local experts, discussion and a three course meal The Heritage restaurant. Our speakers addressed sustainable practices like farm-to-table and looking to the natural world to inspire solutions to problems.

Rachel Hahs: An innovative systems thinker rooted in the firm belief that life-centered design will lead us to a sustainable future, Rachel researches disruptive innovation and sustainable/resilient human built environments, and has used biomimicry as an innovation tool to create solutions for challenges such as food insecurity and climate change.

Cheryl Muñoz: “The evening of discussion and thought leadership has inspired me! By bringing people in closer, strengthening our networks and affirming that we have common work ahead of us - we will find equitable paths forward that are inclusive, elegant and sustainable.”

Ana Garcia Doyle: “Connecting in thought and dialogue about our planet's environmental and social challenges, as we did in this TEDxOakParkSalon, is exactly what's needed for us to face these challenges head-on and rise to the opportunities they present.”

Click here to see pictures from the salon.

Our first TEDxOakParkSalon - Let’s ALL Talk About Sex
Thank you to our moderator, TEDxOakParkWomen Speaker Alum Christa Desir and experts. We appreciate everyone who came out to view TED Talk videos, Q&A and interesting discussion throughout the evening. Our experts talked about consent, promoting an empowered, self-aware and body-positive mindset. Click here to see more pictures from the salon.

Contact us at salon@tedxoakparkwomen.com with any questions.