TEDxEnsley Avenue ED

Speakers

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

• Chandra Sparks Splond

  Chandra Sparks Splond is an editor, speaker and award-winning journalist, author, and blogger. She is the owner of West End Publishing, LLC., and was the consulting editor for Arabesque romance at Kensington Publishing. She has also edited for HarperCollins Christian, Random House, Moody Publishers, Kimani Press, and Hyperion, as well as several New York Times, USA Today and Essence bestselling authors. She was a copy editor for Good Housekeeping, Newsday and The Morning Call, and has consulted with The Birmingham Times and written for Black and Married with Kids, Brides Noir, Weddingpages, and Romantic Times.

• Charlece "Charlie" Bishop, LMFT

  Charlece “Charlie” Bishop, MS, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, speaker, and founder of CR Counseling & Consulting Services, a private practice based in Birmingham, Alabama. She holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Alabama, is an AAMFT Clinical Fellow, and is a Certified Specialist in OCD, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, and Tic Disorders. In addition to her clinical work, Charlie founded the Command the Stage Institute, a speaker development program that equips aspiring speakers to deliver impactful presentations. An accomplished author and international speaker, her work centers on Black mental health, social equity, body image, and eating disorders.

• Christina Garrett

  Christina Garrett is a productivity coach and women’s wellness advocate who supports busy mothers in leadership roles as they pursue healthier work–life balance. A pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of five, she equips women of faith with practical time-management tools and self-care strategies that reduce overwhelm, burnout, and frustration. Christina leads a thriving online community of thousands through the Momathon Community, which encourages women to release perfectionism, delegate effectively, and focus on what matters most. Through one-on-one consulting, international speaking engagements, and the annual Momathon Conference, she empowers women worldwide and has been featured in The Washington Post, Fox News, Forbes, Red Table Talk, and numerous media outlets.

• Dr. Ankrehah "Dr. Kre" Trimble Johnson, DO

  Dr. Ankrehah Trimble Johnson, DO, affectionately known as Dr. Kre, is a board-certified family medicine physician, international public speaker, life coach, wife, and mother dedicated to advancing health, wellness, and opportunity. A 2025 Network Navigator Woman-Owned Business of the Year recipient, member of the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, B-Metro Magazine Top Doctor, Top Woman in Medicine and a Trademark Women of Distinction honoree. Dr. Kre is the sole owner of Brownstone Healthcare & Aesthetics, Medical Director of the Living Well PrEP Clinic and Event Producer of Wifeology. Founder of Three Twenty Girls, Inc., a nonprofit supporting girls and women in STEM, medicine, and entrepreneurship, she partners with the City of Birmingham to provide accessible care to employees and families. Dr. Kre earned her medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, completed residency at St. Vincent’s East, and enjoys travel, and all things Southern.

• Dr. Kristilynn Turney

  Dr. Kristilynn Turney is a leading consultant, speaker, and author whose more than 25-year career in K–12 education has been defined by a commitment to literacy, equity, and transformational leadership. From her early days as an English teacher to becoming the first Black principal of two suburban schools, Dr. Turney has consistently worked to elevate student achievement, strengthen school culture, and bridge gaps within diverse communities. What drives her is a deep belief that every learner deserves to be seen for their potential, not defined by labels.

• Gabriela Ayala, M. ED.

  Gabriela D. Ayala is a Puerto Rican author, educator, and mental health advocate whose work centers storytelling as a tool for resilience, healing, and truth-telling. With more than twenty years in education, she has devoted her career to uplifting voices often left unheard, including students, first-generation communities, and individuals living with mental illness. Her forthcoming memoir, All the Pills I Swallow, offers a lyrical and unflinching exploration of love, survival, and living with bipolar disorder, while her ongoing work continues to examine healing, identity, and the transformative power of words. Holding a Master’s degree in Education, Ayala has taught and mentored learners in the U.S. and abroad, and through her speaking and coaching, she invites audiences to embrace vulnerability, cultivate resilience, and believe in the power of stories spoken aloud.

• HerSoulSpeaks (Spoken Word

  Natasha known as HerSoulSpeaks is a self taught Birmingham author and spoken word artist whose work transforms lived experience into powerful expressions of truth, resilience, and creativity. As the founder of Syncere Society and a creative partner with The Artista Firm, she blends poetry, culture, modeling, and storytelling while building a legacy rooted in purpose and artistry.

• Jeddie Carnes Jr.

  Jeddie Carnes Jr. is a trailblazer, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for Domestic Violence Awareness whose life reflects resilience, faith, and restoration. Driven by a calling to empower women, she transformed her personal journey of survival into a mission of healing, turning a childhood love for beauty cultivated in her grandmother’s Ensley salon into a ministry that restores confidence and helps women rediscover their strength. Inspired by the belief that pain can be transformed into purpose, Jeddie founded GLAAM Cosmetics, a beauty brand created for women of restoration, and through mentorship, education, and community partnerships, she remains committed to breaking cycles, uplifting voices, and reminding women of their power and worth.

• Joshua Bennett

  Joshua Nathaniel Bennett is a Birmingham, Alabama native. After taking piano lessons at Birmingham Southern, he developed a deep love for the art that continued to grow as he mastered the saxophone in middle and high school. Joshua earned top ratings in solo and ensemble competitions and performed with distinguished honor bands including All County, the UAB Honor Band, the UAB Jazz Summit, and the Samford Honor Band. Joshua played with the UAB Big Band under the direction of Dr. Steven Roberts during the induction of jazz legend Harry Belafonte into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. He later founded the band Soul Collaboration, opening for internationally acclaimed smooth jazz artist Eric Essix and performing at major community events such as Jazz in the Park and the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival. He has also shared the stage with the renowned a cappella group Take 6 while studying under legendary musicians including Dr. Frank Adams, Dr. Sue Samuel, Dr. Steven Roberts, and Ray Reach.

• Kimberly M. Speights

  Kimberly W. Speights is a dedicated advocate committed to uplifting underserved and marginalized communities. Driven by a passion for equity, she works tirelessly to promote access to quality healthcare and comprehensive education for all. Through her fearless advocacy in health communications and efforts to address systemic disparities, Kimberly continues to champion initiatives that foster a more just, inclusive, and empowered society.

• Kristi Dionne Oliver, M.Sc.

  Kristi Dionne Oliver is a research scientist, entrepreneur, and strategist who transforms disruption into purpose. A breast cancer PROvivor and servant-leader, she applies faith, strategy, and lived experience to inspire transformation. With over a decade of entrepreneurial leadership, she advances equity and economic empowerment through mentorship, community development, and service --- guiding others to scale their vision with clarity and impact.

• Lisa Craig Taylor

  Lisa Craig Taylor is a best selling author, 2X Hallmark Mahogany featured writer, motivational speaker, and licensed curator for TEDxAlabaster who inspires individuals and communities to transform pain into purpose. With more than 20 years of experience in technology support and management, she uniquely bridges analytical expertise with emotional intelligence, demonstrating how resilience and reinvention can lead to meaningful personal and professional breakthroughs. Her ability to translate life’s most challenging moments into powerful lessons has positioned her as a trusted voice for those seeking clarity, direction, and renewed confidence. Blending professional insight with lived experience, Lisa empowers others to recognize their voice as a superpower and to use their stories as catalysts for change. Her work continues to encourage others to reclaim their narrative, step boldly into their purpose, and embrace the lasting impact of their journey.

• Michael Barham

  Michael Barham, widely known as Coach Mike, is a Bessemer, Alabama native who has spent more than a decade empowering athletes and coaches to succeed beyond the game. A former high school basketball coach, he understands firsthand the challenges athletes face when the final buzzer sounds. Now an entrepreneur, consultant, and NIL strategist, Coach Mike helps athletes build influence, create sustainable income streams, and discover purpose after sports. His work spans from collegiate standouts to professional athletes nationwide, all seeking to maximize their NIL potential while making an impact beyond the court.

• Montiqua Mathers-Pettway, MS

  Montiqua Mathers-Pettway is a leadership and workplace culture expert with more than two decades of Human Resources experience. She is known for delivering transformative keynotes that challenge how leaders show up for the people they serve. Having worked across multiple industries and states, including with Fortune 250 companies, she is a trusted advisor recognized for building strong cultures, empowering teams, and driving continuous growth. Raised in Ensley, Alabama, and educated in Birmingham City Schools, Montiqua’s journey reflects the power of community and those who stood in the gap for her. Her unwavering commitment to inspiring others and driving organizational excellence allows her to connect authentically with diverse audiences, leaving each one motivated toward meaningful and positive change.

• Nandi Edouard

  Nandi Edouard is a dedicated educator and community leader with deep roots in Cobb County, Georgia, where she was born, raised, and has returned to make a lasting impact. A Spelman College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she began her career at YES Prep Public Schools in Houston, where her leadership helped increase ELA state test scores from 39% to 61% in just seven months while strengthening school culture. She later earned a master’s degree from Columbia University and served as Dean of Students and Director of School Culture in Brooklyn, overseeing discipline, social-emotional supports, and family engagement. A committed community organizer and master’s-level instructor at Columbia University’s Teachers College, Nandi has launched The Simple Vue Academy - a school grounded in cultural pride, positive identity, and character development for lifelong learning.

• Pastor Doug Taylor

  Pastor Doug Taylor is a visionary leader, pastor, entrepreneur, and community developer with a 40-year legacy of empowering people and transforming places. As the Pastor of Rebirth Christian Fellowship and Executive Director of Rebirth Community Corporation, he champions faith-based innovation to tackle real-world challenges—ranging from housing insecurity to economic disparity. An accomplished businessman and graduate of UAB and Loyola University (MBA & Master of Pastoral Studies), Doug blends business acumen with deep compassion, leading multi-million-dollar real estate and nonprofit initiatives across Birmingham, Alabama. Whether revitalizing underserved neighborhoods, mentoring young leaders, or mobilizing churches for social impact, Doug’s mission is clear: to rebuild lives, restore hope, and reimagine what’s possible.

• Taneka Gillard

  Taneka Gillard is a nurse, child-life specialist, entrepreneur, and devoted mother whose life’s work is inspired by her daughter, Reign. After Reign was born prematurely and diagnosed with multiple complex disabilities, Taneka transformed her journey into a mission of advocacy, education, and community for families navigating special needs. What began as a handmade bow in the NICU grew into Reignbows Online Boutique, a whimsical accessories brand supporting neonatal and special-needs programs, and later expanded into iReign Special Needs Support Group Alabama, a statewide, parent-led advocacy and resource network. A Long Island native now rooted in Birmingham, Taneka has spent over twenty years serving Alabama’s special-needs community, empowering caregivers to advocate boldly, access critical resources, and remember that through education, connection, and hope—no matter what, iReign.

• Wynter Rudolph

  Wynter Rudolph is an Assistant Professor of Broadcast and Multimedia at Alabama State University, an award-winning journalist and media producer, and a Ph.D. candidate in Digital and Strategic Communication. With professional experience spanning CNN, NPR-affiliated radio, WVUA 23, and major events such as The World Games 2022, her work explores digital storytelling, Black student narratives, and the evolving role of AI in modern communication. Wynter is the creator and host of Office Hours with Professor Rudolph, a mentorship-centered media platform designed to support first-generation students and emerging storytellers,and has partnered with Central Alabama CrimeStoppers to engage students in meaningful media projects. A proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Broadcast Education Association, she is deeply committed to transforming classrooms and communities through truth, visibility, mentorship, and the power of storytelling.