TEDx is On the Air!
We have started a podcast and you can listen to our first episode on Spotify or Apple to hear Dr. Sandy Womack on public education. Huge thanks to our Outreach committee’s hard work starting this project. Listen today! Read our first speakers biography below!
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Dr. Sandy Womack is currently serving as the Area Superintendent for Region III in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Womack previously served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District, Director of Principal Leadership and Development, and The Leader of the Equity Task Force Committee during his tenure in Cleveland. Dr. Womack is the author of three books: Even the Best of Plans Go Astray, Creating Successful Urban Schools; The Urban Educators Month by Month Guide to School Improvement and his dissertation titled: Sanctions; Exploring The Perceptions of Urban School Principals on NCLB; After Successfully Turning Around a Low Performing School. Dr. Womack's mission is to eradicate the academic achievement gaps perpetuated by the current educational system and provide economic empowerment for urban students.
Luke Howard is a 2016 Ohio State graduate from the EEDS program (Environment, Economy, Development, Sustainability). In February of 2020, he founded the bee collective in Franklinton, Ohio. The bee collective’s mission is to support local pollinators and native pollinator habitats, and to provide enthusiastic environmental education to the city of Columbus.
Darris Blackford has been the Director of the Columbus Marathon for the past fifteen years. Driven by a passion of connecting with others through his own interests, his journey started as a business journalist and transitioned through pacing for companies such as Clif Bar and White Castle, with his hard work and positive attitude allowing him to ascend to his current position. With a mission of saying “What are you waiting for?”, you can find him running with a smile on the local trails thinking up ways to improve the Columbus running community.
Rachel Friedman is Founder + CEO of TENFOLD®, an award-winning creative firm, and its sister brand, TENSPACE™, an immersive retail space creating in-real-life experiences for online brands. For nearly 30 years, Rachel’s professional career has been dedicated to helping brands activate their strategy by leveraging space for storytelling: from physical and virtual to experiential. Rachel brings unique expertise to the TENFOLD team, combining her passions and diverse education including a BFA in Design and MBA in Strategy.
Faith Huddleston of TENFOLD® has more than a decade of experience in transforming national brands with immersive design. Her background includes brand strategy, environmental design and visual merchandising for prestigious brands. As Director of Creative Activation, Faith leads the strategy and design of experiential projects across TENFOLD and TENSPACE, activating culture to build momentum and gain passionate commitment.
Jeremy is the Associate Director of Community Partnerships at Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) as well as the program manager for all youth based programs at CRIS since 2016. Prior to CRIS Jeremy worked fifteen years within county government including Children Services and Job and Family Services within Hardin, Union, and Franklin Counties.
Audrey Montgomery is a current Masters in Social Work candidate at the University of Michigan specializing in global social work and community change expected to graduate in the summer of 2022. Since her first year at Ohio State, she has worked alongside CRIS in various roles— as a volunteer, an intern, a fellow, and a full-time staff member. She is passionate about seeking to better understand and address the unique needs for our refugee/immigrant/New American populations and advocate for ways to achieve justice and equity for all.
Johnny Riddle is a dedicated arts administrator, fundraiser, and active member of the Columbus arts community. In his role as Executive Director, he serves Franklinton Art District’s mission as the primary advocate, connector, and resource to the artists and arts organizations in Franklinton. Outside of FAD, Johnny has served and serves on the board of directors for local nonprofit art galleries 934 Gallery and ROY G BIV Gallery for Emerging Artists. In the Franklinton community, Johnny is a Franklinton Area Commissioner and member of the Zoning Committee. In 2021, Johnny received the Greater Columbus Arts Council Community Arts Partnership Emerging Arts Leader Award.
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