TEDxLake Alfred

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Antonisha Andrews

  Antonisha Andrews is a writer, educator, and mental health advocate whose work centers on creativity as a life-saving tool. With over 14 years of experience working with children and teens, she has witnessed firsthand how the arts help young people navigate grief, trauma, identity, and emotional survival.

• Brandy Archie

  Dr. Brandy Archie is an occupational therapist and founder of AskSAMIE.com, a platform expanding access to home-based care and accessibility tools. With over 17 years of experience working with families navigating illness, injury, and aging, her work sits at the intersection of health, environment, and behavior change.

• Jennifer Goodson

  Jennifer Goodson is a licensed clinical mental health therapist and professor of psychology specializing in trauma, grief, and trauma-informed care awareness. She helps individuals and organizations understand how internal awareness shapes emotional well-being and relationships. Learn more: https://jennifergoodson.com

• John Morrow

  John Morrow retired in 2013 and has been a member of Toastmasters International since 1985. After the sudden loss of his wife, Donna, in 2019, he transformed his journey through grief into a framework for intentional living, shared in his book RESOLVE: Your Blueprint for Intentional Success and his podcast, RESOLVE to Live Forward.

• Latrice Torres

  Latrice Torres is the Founder and CEO of LeaderKeys Consulting, where she helps professionals, especially Black women, design careers that honor their values and well-being. A seasoned HR and Talent Development leader with over 25 years of experience, turned Career Strategist, she is an international author, speaker, coach, and leadership workshop facilitator. Learn more at www.LeaderKeysUnlocked.com

• Nikeshia Leatherwood

  Dr. Nikeshia Leatherwood is a K–12 education specialist, organizational expert, school culture enthusiast, and leadership developer dedicated to building systems where every student can thrive. With more than two decades in education, she focuses on practical strategies that strengthen school culture, elevate student voice, and drive measurable outcomes.

• Toia Potts

  Toia Potts is a mother and fierce activist in North Carolina. She is the Co-founder of Carolina Parent Defenders, the Founder of Thrive Tribe NC, Family Advocate/Organizer for EmancipateNC and she serves as a Community Griot with the Ujima Collective. Toia’s path into advocacy started when her family was pulled apart by Child Protective Services. She now uses her voice to create change for parents, mostly mothers, who are navigating the system. Learn more: https://emancipatenc.org/

• Toni Williams

  Antonio "Toni" Williams is a leadership development coach, entrepreneur, public speaker and proud #GirlDad whose work focuses on alignment, identity, accountability and sustainable success. Drawing from his journey as a business owner who rebuilt his life after burnout, financial strain, and personal loss, Toni examines why external success often collapses under internal misalignment. Learn more: https://toniwilliamsofficial.com/

• Travis Atkinson

  Travis Atkinson is a mental health advocate who challenges how communities respond to people in crisis.

• Valerie Frost

  Valerie Frost is a child welfare advocate, systems strategist, and speaker whose work centers lived experience as a form of authority. Drawing on her own experience navigating child protective systems and her professional work collaborating with families, government agencies, universities, legal organizations, and community leaders nationwide, Valerie examines who is trusted to define harm, expertise, and solutions.