First ever Bradenton TEDx talk is all about access. Here’s how to watch live

The first ever BradentonTEDx will bring speakers of many backgrounds, professions and interests together to talk about one thing: access.

The event is set for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in downtown Bradenton, and it will feature over a dozen presenters. Anyone can watch the conference live from home on Facebook or YouTube.

TEDx events are an independent and locally organized form of TED Talks, the short and inspirational videos made famous on YouTube with the tagline: ”ideas worth spreading.” The presentations can cover just about any subject, but there are some guiding principles.

“Just like TED events, (TEDx) lacks any commercial, religious or political agenda. Its goal is to spark conversation, connection and community,” TED’s website days.

Evelyn Almodóvar, a Bradenton resident who works in human services, is organizing the event. The idea for the conference was inspired by her doctoral research on community collaboration at Northcentral University.

“The theme of access is important to me because I believe that leadership is about how we invite others in, especially those who are just starting out,” Almodóvar said in an email. “The community collaborative spirit of TED and TEDx is about just that: regular people with big ideas.

With TEDxBradenton, we are seeking new ideas that challenge our beliefs about current systems — not just the way things have always been done.”

“The chance to help host such an amazing, talented lineup of thinkers, do-ers, and dreamers has been an honor,” said Catherine Ferrer, a co-organizer of the event.

“The potential that these conversations will positively impact the future of Bradenton will be exciting to watch.”

How to watch

Tickets to watch the TEDx presentation in person were limited to 100 and have now sold out. But the talks will be available to stream on TEDxBradenton’s YouTube and Facebook pages from 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

After that, the event will be briefly unavailable until the final version is posted on the TEDx YouTube channel at a future date.

To watch on Facebook: Visit facebook.com/TEDxBradenton

To watch on YouTube: Visit youtube.com/channel/UC1_JH7EZDAQbqxao9BVLxMw

TEDx Bradenton speakers

▪ Joshua T. Barnett, data scientist, professor and previous health care services manager for Manatee County will serve as master of ceremonies

▪ Kristie Kindstrom, senior planning advisor, CEO of Your Honeycomb

▪ Ray Gardner, CEO of Prosper Bradenton

▪ Robyn Faucy, CEO of Results 1st

▪ Beth Walters, Peer Support Supervisor at Centerstone

▪ Javar Baity, Director of Marketing at Take Stock in Children of Manatee County

▪ Wayne Poston, former Bradenton Mayor

▪ Carrie Price, Board Chair of Realize Bradenton

▪ Dr. Sagar Galwankar, Exectuive Director of the American College Of Academic International Medicine

▪ Melanie Lavender, spoken word artist, radio host and writer

▪ Stephanie Rosado, Certified Wellness & Health Coach and Ph.D. student at the University of South Florida School of Social Work

▪ Shvonne Townsend, abstract artist, healing arts coach, Real Property Specialist at Manatee County Government

▪ Diana Shoemaker, Director of Strategic Development and Communications for Elders Action Network and former President & CEO of Manatee County Habitat for Humanity

▪ Olivia D’Amico, founder of Kinspoke and Friendly City Flea

▪ Mercedes Soler, co-owner and President of Solmart Media

▪ Lorraine Williams, Executive Director of Information Technology for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

▪ Justice Shannon Frison, Massachusetts Superior Court