TEDxSanAntonio (Live Event | Organizer & Curator)

TEDxSanAntonio is a locally organized event series that brings together people from across the city to share bold ideas and start conversations that matter. Through mainstage events, youth programs, and smaller community salons, it’s become a space where a wide range of voices—especially those often left out—can be heard. Over the years, the platform has helped spark meaningful dialogue, spotlight local changemakers, and even launch a few speakers onto the main TED stage. It’s all about creating a space for real stories, fresh thinking, and ideas that move people—right here in San Antonio.

01. The Story Behind the Work

TEDxSanAntonio mattered because San Antonio is a vibrant, diverse city—yet many important voices, especially from underrepresented communities, often didn’t have a platform on major stages. The idea began as a way to bring TED’s global mission of spreading ideas worth sharing directly to our local community—making it relevant to San Antonio’s unique culture, challenges, and stories. What sparked the concept was the need to move beyond polished TEDx talks and create space for authentic, raw storytelling from everyday changemakers, activists, artists, and leaders who don’t always get the spotlight.

The biggest challenge for the TEDxSanAntonio team was balancing TED’s high presentation standards with the authenticity of these diverse voices—while also building trust with communities historically excluded from these conversations. We focused on creating inclusive programming that resonated with local audiences and reflected the city’s rich cultural fabric. This project was about more than just putting speakers on a stage—it was about fostering community engagement through storytelling that inspires dialogue, empathy, and change beyond the event itself.

02. What I Did

• Led TEDx speaker curation and programming for TEDxSanAntonio, selecting diverse voices and creating inclusive, culturally relevant lineups for mainstage and community events

• Conducted extensive research on local issues, thought leaders, and cultural movements to identify timely topics and emerging speakers with high impact potential

• Developed storytelling strategy and provided public speaking coaching to help speakers craft compelling, TED-style talks rooted in personal experience and community relevance

• Designed event themes and programming frameworks that aligned with civic dialogue, social impact, and the unique cultural identity of San Antonio

• Applied cultural strategy and equity-focused practices to ensure inclusive representation and accessibility in speaker selection and event design

• Collaborated with TEDxSanAntonio’s volunteer board to refine speaker evaluation criteria, build transparent selection processes, and improve programming diversity

• Facilitated speaker workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions to enhance narrative clarity, audience connection, and talk delivery

• Supported community engagement strategy by identifying speakers from underrepresented groups and expanding outreach into new neighborhoods and networks

• Helped promote TEDxSanAntonio talks through digital storytelling, content strategy, and partnerships with local media and community organizations

03. The Impact

Because of the work done with TEDxSanAntonio, the event grew into a vibrant platform that consistently amplified diverse, underrepresented voices from across San Antonio's communities. The storytelling became stronger and more authentic, moving away from polished presentations to embrace raw, honest narratives that resonated deeply with audiences. This shift helped the team rethink what TEDx programming could look like, prioritizing inclusion, community relevance, and accessibility over conventional speaker norms.

While the project didn’t earn traditional awards, it received significant recognition within the TED community. Notably, talks like Eric Dorsa’s How Dressing in Drag Made Me Uncover Myself were selected as TED Editor’s Picks, and Anish Beeram’s Buying Solar Panels Is Not the Future was spotlighted by TED in their climate change series. Joe Smarro, featured in the HBO documentary Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops, brought critical conversations on mental health and crisis intervention to the stage, further raising the event’s profile. Additionally, several TEDxSanAntonio speakers—including Lawrence Lessig, Hector Garcia, Eythor Bender, and Leezia Dhalla—have also taken their talks to the official TED main stage, underscoring the caliber of talent the platform attracts.

Most importantly, TEDxSanAntonio sparked meaningful conversations—both locally and beyond. The events fostered cross-sector dialogue, inspired community action, and engaged thousands of viewers online, proving that the platform could be a catalyst for real change.