TEDxUNO Salon Series: Culture Shift

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and TED, a nonprofit organization devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading," are partnering this fall to bring TEDxUNO back to campus with the new TEDxUNO Salon Series: Culture Shift.

Taking place virtually over three sessions, Culture Shift will be an opportunity for UNO students to explore the concept of "Wellness" and how it has changed since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of nationwide racial injustice.

Faculty and advisors are also encouraged to highlight, or incorporate, these TEDx sessions in their work with students.

"The repeated trauma and stress we’ve all experienced in light of the pandemic, and ongoing instances of racism has had profound effects on our overall health whether we acknowledge it or not," explained Jabin Moore, UNO Student Body President and Studen Regent. "Our community has to be willing to have tough conversations about mental health, especially in multiracial BIPOC communities. Through this series, we want to affirm that the effects of racial trauma on mental health is real, and emphasize the importance of mental and emotional well-being."

Each salon session will be led by an expert from the University of Nebraska system - addressing the significant shifts in our collective culture, how we find ourselves in relation to what we're experiencing, and what steps we can take to maintain our mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.

Culture Shift sessions will be streamed live on Zoom from 7 - 8:30 P.M. on the following dates:

Wednesday, November 18 | ALL TICKETS CLAIMED

"What Does Policing Look Like in the Future?"

Mark Foxall, Ph.D., UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Community Service Associate

Following a 40-year career as a Black law enforcement officer, Mark Foxall will discuss what the transformation of policing and criminal justice system might actually look like.

What to Expect

In addition to presentations by the speakers, attendees will be able to ask questions and engage in small group discussions about topics discussed.

“This is a testimony to the thoughtful leadership of our students," said Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success. "They brought the idea to us, and without hesitation, we embraced the idea because it is the right thing to do. Having such stellar experts to draw upon as our speakers will make for a truly special set of engagements.”

Questions about the upcoming TEDxUNO Salons? Contact the Office of University Communications events team at unoevents@unomaha.edu.

Past Presentations

Wednesday, September 16

"What is Wellness"

Guest: Charlene Patterson, Ph.D., Director of UNO Counseling and Psychological Services

What constitutes wellness and well-being; and how can we engage in self-care and find balance in the midst of our shifting cultural environment?

Wednesday, October 21

"What is Wellness at the Intersection of Trauma?"

Guest: Sheritta Strong, M.D., Director of Inclusion at UNMC

How do we identify the parameters of what we define as trauma and toxic stress in a climate impacted by the pandemic, economic crisis, and civil unrest. What are some coping mechanisms we can all use to promote our own mental health and well-being?

About TEDx and TED

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxUNO, where x = independently organized TED event.

At our TEDxUNO event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Vancouver, British Columbia, along with the TEDActive simulcast event in nearby Whistler. The annual TEDGlobal conference will be held this October in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed.

TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world get help translating their wishes into action; TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self- organized TED-style events around the world, and the TED Fellows program, helping innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED.