TEDx Organizers

Art,Mentorship and social change

Okong’o is the co-founder and executive director of the Queer African Network (QAN), a social and professional networking platform for LGBTQI+ persons of African heritage. Growing up in Kenya, Okong’o experienced firsthand the life-threatening isolation that comes from battling daily systemic oppression. Virtual networks sustained him until he found acceptance in his immediate environment. His desire to extend this lifeline to others led him to establish QAN and motivated him to establish global networks of solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities of African heritage in Nairobi, Johannesburg, Vancouver, San Francisco, and New York, all while studying and working for the TED Fellows program and the feminist consultancy Kore Global. Okong’o received the Strangway Award for Excellence (full academic scholarship) to study at Quest University Canada, where his thesis (which inspired QAN) received the showcase award. QAN thereafter received the Young Feminist Award and Okong’o presented at the NGO CSW65 Virtual Forum at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Okong’o previously received the Allan Gray Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurial Thinking and was selected to the Bezos Scholar Program.

The Ocean, My beautiful family, My inspiring friends, Trying to fly, Discovery, Humanity, Energy, Our Minds, Learning, Quiet Moments to myself, Time

Youth leadership and empowerment Agricultural innovation Climate-smart agriculture Humanitarian action Road safety advocacy Social entrepreneurship Education and skills development Community resilience Sustainable Development Goals Building partnerships that create lasting impact

Listening to people and sharing ideas.

TED talks, Tedx events and great speakers

Passion is a gift. To have a drive, a need to create and be part of something bigger than oneself. This is to me the ultimate goal. To feel passion for an idea, a solution, discovery or even a relationship. This is what I believe we are all seeking-all of us are striving for. I feel passion for our planet and its delicate and unique situation it finds itself in the age of the anthropocene. I feel passion for education, that education that exists in structure for our children or young people but also that constant curiosity and self driven education that is inherit in all of us. I am passionate about creative forces, that which flow through us and end up on stage or even in a small circle of friends. I feel passion when I witness the creative force coming to light or even when I am blessed enough to be part of it. But mostly, I feel passionate about finding passion and about helping others find their passions. Recognizing passion in one person and connecting them with the other person I know might share the same passion. This click happens inside and I feel a drive to complete it to make it happen to put people and ideas together to see them flourish and see them inspire others. This is why I so very much love the TEDx platform.

Although I'm still in the secondary stages of my education, I've found some subjects which have appealed to me more than others. For one, the concepts of electrical engineering and computer science are both fields that captivate me. I've spent my last 4 years exploring the potential of renewable energies from economic, political, and scientific perspectives. I hope to further explore these applications of engineering and CS. Until then, I work through my TEDx events with alert eyes for new ideas, particularly when it comes to physics and CS.

In my life, my passions are twofold, reflecting the diverse facets of my personality. On one hand, I am fervently dedicated to the art of connection and joy. I am deeply passionate about engaging with people, exploring new topics, and adding a touch of humor through pranks and magic tricks. The ability to witness the spark of childlike curiosity in adults' eyes as they experience the wonder of a well-executed magic trick brings immense joy. It's a simple yet profound way to remind individuals of the pure, unbridled joy of being a kid again. On the other side of the spectrum, my engineering skills fuel another passion—building and designing. I find immense satisfaction in the process of creating, and one notable manifestation of this passion was being part of a team that built rockets. The journey, from sleepless nights working on intricate designs to the exhilaration of launching a rocket in a competition in Brazil, defines a significant chapter of my life. This experience has become an integral part of who I am, symbolizing the convergence of my engineering prowess and my love for pushing boundaries. In essence, my passions encapsulate the joy of connection and the thrill of creation, embodying the multifaceted nature of my identity.