announcement

Marisa A. Zapata: Rethinking homelessness

December 7, 2019 By Carlee Wright

Marisa A. Zapata is a researcher, educator and planner. She is the Director of Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative and Associate Professor of Land-use Planning at Portland State University. She holds a doctorate in Regional Planning, a master’s in Urban Planning and a bachelor’s in Anthropology. When not working, you may find her playing flute, reading a book, taking a long walk or playing a board game. In January, Dr. Zapata will take to the TEDxSalem stage to address how we can solve homelessness by rethinking who has a right to housing.

What was your first TED experience? My first TED experience was probably “illegal” because it was a TED “style” talk but not officially through TED. One of my friends from college was doing a talk about health care issues that she was studying as a medical doctor. It was wonderful to see her, a person I had known for awhile, being on a stage and sharing her knowledge. I learned a lot from the talk!

Do you have a favorite TED Talk? How has it impacted your life or perspective? My current fave is by Gabby Rivera who talked about creating the first queer Latina superhero. I didn’t grow up reading graphic novels, though my dad talked about his favorite superhero — Spiderman. Like many things I have only realized as an adult, my lack of interest in a particular thing was partly driven by not seeing people like me. I know a lot of people say representation matters, but it really goes further than an image or a language. It’s also about ideas and conversation styles and characters who are like your family members. For me, superheroes are about imaging different types of futures. A superverse with white men and hypersexualized white women could never be a future for me. But a Latina? That’s a super I can believe in. I also loved Gabby’s delivery. Like Gabby, I grew up learning to tell stories and for me, humor was a big part of that. Seeing her laugh on stage is a great reminder that humor can be such an important part of talks on serious topics.

What does this year’s theme “Vision” mean to you? I love this year’s theme. Vision can mean so many different things, but I think all of those things involved how we share our thoughts, ideas, fears, and hopes. Whether through literal shared sight or through language, we cultivate how we live in community with one another. For my work, I think about how to envision just futures, and create pathways to move us in those directions while preparing for uncertainty. A lot of this work is about foresight — trying to think about how our futures might play out based on our presents. I think this is especially important when thinking about homelessness. We have what can feel like an overwhelming set of tasks in front of us, and list of possible options. Envisioning futures allows us to structure the work and the options.

Tell us something about yourself we could never tell from looking at you. My health prevents me from working out as hard or often as I want. I’d love to be doing one hour of spinning or jogging or biking to work, but my physical health doesn’t match that. I’ve come to appreciate a long walk, but also, I just want to go jump on a trampoline for an hour!

What is the scariest thing you have ever done for fun? I rappelled down a 28-story building for a Big Brother/Big Sister fundraiser with my Little Sis from the program. It was for “fun.” It wasn’t really all that fun.

Favorite books? And why.

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. The story of a young boy caught between two cultures as a young Latino living in the Southwest resonated with me as a culturally mixed Mexican American from Texas. This book was the first time I read something where magical realism was integrated into the story, and one of the first times I had seen my culture described in a fictional story.

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino. It’s hard to explain too much about the book without giving it away! Maybe I can leave it with — it’s my world view. We all may come from similar places and see and experience our communities in radically different ways.

Go-to karaoke song? Fancy by Reba McEntire

Chunky or smooth peanut butter? Chunky. All the way.

A random fact: A fire ant bite could kill me!

TEDxSalem VII

TEDxSalem VII is an all-day event featuring talks, performances, refreshments, lunch and swag. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at the Salem Convention Center. Click here for tickets. Follow us on Facebook for the most up-to-date news from our community, and check our website regularly for new information. You can also reach us at info@tedxsalem.com

Student scientist Mihir Joshi has a solution to save the ocean

December 2, 2019 By Carlee Wright

The youngest speaker to take to the TEDxSalem stage this coming year is Mihir Joshi, a 13-year-old student at South Salem High School. Mihir, who enjoys playing video games, problem-solving and running cross-country, at one time, was able to solve a Rubiks Cube in under 45 seconds. Always looking for solutions, this curious teen will take to the TEDxSalem stage to share how he learned to predict the change of Marine Protected Areas and what you can do to help save the ocean.

What was your first TED experience? I participated and spoke at the first-ever TEDxYouth@Salem event in November 2017. (Check out Mihir’s talk here)

Do you have a favorite TED Talk? How has it impacted your life or perspective? “This is What Happens When you Reply to Spam Emails” by James Veitch. I love this TEDxTalk because of its amazing use of humor.

What does this year’s theme “Vision” mean to you? To me, Vision means to visualize something that doesn’t exist today and strive to make it a reality because of your passion and hard work.

What do you feel most grateful for in your life? Being able to grow up in a positive and supportive household with amazing parents and a great sister.

Tell us something about yourself we could never tell from looking at you. I won homecoming court this year in my high school.

What song best describes your life? “Haven’t Met You Yet” By Michael Bublé. I chose this song because I’m always looking for the next thing out there and I believe the best is yet to come.

Top 3 movies of the moment?

3 Idiots (Bollywood movie)
Guardians of the Galaxy 1
Terminator 1

Top 3 songs or artists?

Where would you go in a time machine? I would go back in time to watch Neil Armstrong take his first step on the moon.

Chunky or smooth peanut butter? How could anyone ever like chunky peanut butter! Smooth is the only option.

Favorite color? Red

TEDxSalem VII

Michelle LaFontaine brings Bollywood dance to TEDxSalem VII

November 30, 2019 By Sarah Kelber

When Michelle LaFontaine and her troupe Sundari Bollywood take to the TEDxSalem stage in January, expect an interactive experience.

“Plan to move to the music,” said LaFontaine of the East Indian-inspired dance performance. “The music is so upbeat and fun, one can’t help themselves!”

LaFontaine made the move from belly-dancing to Bollywood dance after hearing about an open audition when she lived in Seattle in 2011. She had a scheduling conflict, but the director invited her to try out a class the next week.

“I showed up, jumped in head first as I tend to do,” LaFontaine said. “She was impressed with my ability to pick up choreography quickly and asked that I be a part of her team. So I started learning.”

Learning soon turned to performing, which in 2014 turned to teaching.

“Dance is an incredible way to express oneself through movement and gain both body awareness and confidence,” she said. “It’s also an incredible form of exercise and helps maintain youth in the body and brain.”

She now teaches weekly classes in Salem and hosts monthly shows for those who decide they’d like to perform.

“I want to encourage everyone to explore some form of dance, in particular, women,” she said. “I believe the boosting of ourselves is of utmost importance!”

LaFontaine is excited to bring the joy and expression of Bollywood to even more of Salem through TEDx. The city has been home “for about 12 years, minus the four years I was in Seattle.”

“I enjoy the community, especially the diversity of our community,” she said. “I love working in Salem as a small business owner and strive to support my local businesses.”

She’s also involved in the Indian community via the board for INDUS, a nonprofit whose vision is “to promote and strengthen friendship and understanding of cultures between the peoples of Indian Sub-continent and United States.”

“I get the pleasure of helping prepare the events we hold and perform for the community of people I truly adore,” she said.

So when you see Sundari, be ready to move.

“My favorite part about performing is seeing the smiles on my audience’s faces and connecting with them,” LaFontaine said. “They often can’t help but tap their foot to the music and clap their hands, and their involvement makes performing even more fun for me and my group!”

TEDxSalem VII

Theresa McCormick: Tomorrow’s fuel may be under your kitchen sink

November 27, 2019 By Carlee Wright

Scientist Theresa McCormick has a few ideas about alternative fuels, including one that you may find in your house already.

Theresa is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Portland State University who holds a BSc Chemistry from Queen’s University (2004), a PhD Chemistry from Queen’s University (2008), with Postdoc from University of Rochester (2009–2010) and University of Toronto (2011–2013). Originally from Canada, her favorite hobby is curling (more on that below), and now lives in Portland with her husband, Omar El Akkad, and their daughter. She once performed in an immersive reinterpretation of Julius Cesar that took over the entire chemistry building at her university. Curious? Us too…read on and learn more about Dr. McCormick then join us in January for her idea worth spreading.

What was your first TED experience? My brother introduced me to TED, I don’t remember what video he sent to me first, but he was devouring TED talks and sending me several a day that he loved.

Do you have a favorite TED Talk? How has it impacted your life or perspective? Isabel Allende, her talk is so empowering, every once and a while I need to hear amazing women talk about their lives. After watching her talk, I started reading her books, which are great, and where I learned why the Golden Gate Bridge is called the Golden Gate Bridge.

What does this year’s theme “Vision” mean to you? To me, vision means seeing things for both what they are and what they could be. When I think about seeing things for what they are I think about seeing the whole picture, what the problem is, and how to solve the problem, and what new problems that solution will make. And when I think about what things could be I imagine how the world could be with the ideal solution to problems.

How has your life been different than what you’d imagined? My life is different from what I imagined in almost every way. I was raised on a farm outside a very small town in rural Ontario. Most women I knew grew-up to become farmer’s wives. I knew I didn’t want to do that. I loved math and science, so I thought I would become a medical doctor, and work in my home town, and my farmer husband would look after the farm. When I went away to university I found out that if you liked math and science you could become a scientist (I previously thought all scientists were dead white men). That started me down the path to become a chemist, and as is common in academics when I finally found a job as a professor I was very far from the farm I grew up-on. I never thought I would leave Canada and move to Oregon (I didn’t really know where it was until I interviewed at PSU). I never thought I would be a chemist, teaching and researching, making discoveries and trying to solve the big world problems.

Tell us something about yourself we could never tell from looking at you. Most people are pretty surprised to find out I was the captain of the wrestling team in high school. I joined the team the year after they first allowed women to wrestle. I had an amazing coach who supported the women as much as the men on the team. It was a great experience for me. Traveling for tournaments was the first time I was on a plane. I learned a lot about how to lead a team that has been invaluable in leading a research group. I learned how to throw someone, not quite as useful most of the time, but good to remember.

What is something unexpected that has changed about you in the last few years? My daughter came into my life two and a half years ago, which changed everything. Before her, my work was one of the most important things in my life, but now my family takes top-notch. Dahlia brings a new perspective, focus and joy to life to life.

Do you have any community activities? I love curling. I am a member of the Evergreen Curling Club in Beaverton and have curled on the same team since I came to Oregon six years ago. I play lead, which means I throw the first two stones for my team. It’s a great community and a fun sport.

If you could live in the setting of any book or movie, without necessarily being involved in the story, which would you choose? Anna Karenina – I fell in love with 19th century Russia. I loved the farming scenes, I want to go to the operas and parties. I read it because I felt like I needed to read it to be a well-rounded adult, but I loved it. If you haven’t read it go read it.

What is the scariest thing you have ever done for fun? I went sky diving once. It was a late night in the lab and the whole group decided it would be fun to go skydiving. We all agreed to go together, but then everyone else backed out so I convinced my soon-to-be husband to go with me. I loved it and would do it again.

Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life? Pause, as long as it lets everyone else stop and I can still do things and don’t age while things are paused.

Favorite book(s)? And why.
American War: it’s very good and everyone should have at least a dozen copies.

Time Travelers Wife: I love anything with time travel, so it was already off to a good start, but the characters are great. Most great books I can’t put down, but this one I refused to pick up when I only had one chapter left because I didn’t want it to end.

Oryx and Crake, MaddAddam, and Year of the Flood: it is an immensely immersive imagination of a world where people didn’t take care of the earth.

Make one change in the world? I would get rid of all carbon emissions and have only sustainable energy. And while I’m at it, just cool the world down a bit.

Chunky or smooth peanut butter? Smooth

Greatest fear? Bears and bees

TEDxSalem VII

TEDxSalem VII speaker Bassam Tarazi — Living Intentionally

November 17, 2019 By Carlee Wright

Bassam Tarazi is a Change Management Consultant…but he wasn’t always. He has a background in mechanical engineering and started his career as a nuclear engineer working on nuclear submarines in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Born and raised in Connecticut, the 39-year-old now lives in Portland with his wife, Samantha, and dog, Oliver. His hobbies include writing, reading, hiking/trekking, swimming, biking, and watching his beloved Arsenal football club disappoint him. He once convinced Fidel Castro to sign his US passport with a Sharpie, but that’s not the only risky thing he’s done. Bassam has a dynamic list of challenges he’s faced, which he will share more about at TEDxSalem VII.

What was your first TED experience? Simon Sinek’s talk was my first stumble into a TED Talk (at least from what I can remember)

Do you have a favorite TED Talk? How has it impacted your life or perspective? I’d say it’s that same talk. “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Simon was one of the first people to really drive home that idea. Ever since, I’ve always tried to tackle my “why” in life and to be sure I bring it across in all that I do.

What does this year’s theme “Vision” mean to you? It’s not about what we want to do in the world, but who we want to be. I think we spend too much time thinking about what we are going to do in life and we forget to lay the foundation of who we are going to become. What do people say about us when we leave the room? When I think of vision, I think about what would go in my eulogy, not on my resume.

What do you feel most grateful for in your life? That I grew up in the relative time of plenty. In the history of humankind, it is only for the slightest sliver of it that we have the freedoms and time to explore our imaginations and this world in the way that we can today. What an incredible gift that is.

What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in life? How did you learn them?

You never know when a smile might save someone’s life. — My mom used to say that to us when we were kids.

“Make every decision the right decision.” When you are left with an either-or choice, just pick one and never look back. If the choice you made doesn’t work out, you can’t look back and say, “I knew it. I should have chosen the other thing.” You don’t know that. You could have been dead if you chose the other thing. Learn what you learned in what you chose, dust yourself off and move forward. My father taught me that.

Writing isn’t a manifestation of what I’ve discovered, it’s a discovery of what I’ll manifest. Learned this one on my own, trying to write. I used to hold ideas in my head thinking that once I figure them out then I’ll write them down. But it doesn’t work that way. The best part of writing is sitting down to write and then writing something you didn’t even know was in your end.

In five years you’ll be wrong. I think we sometimes get too caught up in our visions for the future that we forget to see what’s in front of us every day. When people ask me where do I want to be in five years, I always answer, “Living intentionally,” because when I go back five years and look forward, I’m never where I thought I’d be. We design our ship and load our provisions for what we think we will encounter over the horizon, but what we inevitably do encounter is never what we expected. So we certainly have to choose and paddle in a cardinal direction in life, but we should always be ready to adapt to what comes from beyond the horizon. This has taught me to not put too much weight on any decision. Life will always throw a curveball, so it’s better to act while you can and adapt later.

Tell us something about yourself we could never tell from looking at you. I have a stutter that I work around every day. One of the hardest things for me to do is just say my first name when going around the room introducing ourselves.

If you could live in the setting of any book or movie, without necessarily being involved in the story, which would you choose? Inception; Imagine there was a world where you could enter people’s dreams?! That would be crazy.

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be? Rocket science

Go-to karaoke song? The Killers “Mr. Brightside”

Where would you go in a time machine? Inside the command module of Apollo 11 on top of the Saturn 5, ten seconds before liftoff. It was the greatest adventure of all time. Would have loved to be a part of it.

TEDxSalem VII

TEDxSalem poet explores identity, female empowerment through words

November 12, 2019 By Sarah Evans

Poet. College student. Black woman. Haitian immigrant. Adoptee.

These are just a few of Jolie Brownell’s many identities.

When the 20-year-old takes the stage at TEDxSalem, the audience will hear her grapple with these identities through her poetry.

“I want to express through poetry my walks of life, the intersections of my different identities, and what that means to me and to society,” Brownell says.

Brownell, who graduated from Sunset High School in Beaverton, is a sophomore at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She’s majoring in women and gender studies.

Her choice of major wouldn’t surprise anyone who knew her in high school.

By age 19, Brownell had already won awards for her blog, “Me Too Girl,” and she had self-published a book with the same title. The book is a collection of messages and poems on girl empowerment.

She has given speeches on this topic to hundreds of women and girls in the Portland area, and led workshops in partnership with Girls Inc., I Am That Girl, Produced By Her, and ChickTech.

Brownell is originally from Haiti, but a Portland family adopted her when she was 3.

She first became dedicated to female empowerment issues when she was just 13.

“Like many young girls around that age, I was consumed with self-hatred, self-doubt, lack of confidence,” she says. “During the summer between middle school and high school, I decided to shift gears because I realized that I’m going to have this body, I’m going to be this person for the rest of my life. Do I want to spend the rest of my life hating this person, or do I want to spend it trying to teach myself how to love myself?”

Her essays and journal entries about self-discovery eventually led to her blog and her book.

“I’ve always loved the power behind words, and I wanted to use my words to uplift and inspire others,” Brownell says.

Brownell hopes that TEDxSalem audience members will experience that inspiration during her performance. But, ultimately, the work to improve self-confidence is an individual pursuit, she says.

“I’m trying to encourage and uplift women. But I can only do so much and then you must carry it; you must do the work, the final step of loving yourself,” she says. “I encourage the audience to find the deeper meanings in my work and what that means for them.”

For more information about Jolie Brownell, check out her website at www.joliebrownell.com

TEDxSalem VII

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