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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor 

COLUMBIANA – Experience an evening of intellectual discussion from a diverse array of speakers during the debut of TEDxAlabaster which will come to Shelby County this summer.

TEDxAlabaster will take place on Friday, Aug. 15 at the Shelby County Arts Council’s Song Theater from 3-8 p.m. The doors open at 2:30 p.m. According to the SCAC, the event will highlight personal breakthroughs and global innovations—celebrating how revelations spark change.

“TEDx events are about ideas worth spreading,” said Lisa Craig Taylor, organizer of TEDxAlabaster, in an official press release. “When those ideas take root in our communities, they become forces for innovation, unity and purpose.”

TEDx events feature live TED-like talks and performances that are brought to the community level. The events are planned and coordinated independently on an individual basis with a focus on a diverse range of topics.

The first TEDxAlabaster event features the theme Ripples of Revelation and aims to celebrate the impact of small beginnings. According to the Shelby County Arts Council, the event aims to explore how individual ideas and actions can transform the world.

During the event, pianist Byron Thomas will provide live music and Veronica Wallace Anderson will serve as the emcee.

The TEDxAlabaster event will feature the following individuals:

• Dr. Melva Tate – Tate & Associates
• Tonya Williams – Covered Girls Coaching & Services
• Mia Mothershed – Marketing and communications Strategist
• Melanie Cade – Entrepreneur and social media influencer
• Latrisha “Fee-Fee” Redmon – The founder, Fee-nomenal Music & Massage
• Joy King – Entrepreneur, Eat Drink Ride Tours
• Krispin Watson – Entrepreneur and author
• LaDarrius Hutcherson – Social media influencer
• Brandon Matthews – The Meaningful Marketplace
• E. Josiah Kenty – Founder of Flip Culture, two-time, award-winning educator and author
• Dr. Heather Ashley Hayes – Educator, researcher and universal design advocate
• Dr. Nikki Zeigler – Visibility coach, speaker and founder, Like a Boss Academy
• Mekeia Fox – Women’s empowerment and development coach
• Ashley Joy Sutton – Writer and transformation coach
• Karen Abercrombie – an award-winning actress, writer and producer

Tickets to the event are $98 for all seats plus tax.

“Join us for an inspiring day filled with connection and revelation,” read an official post on Ted.com. “Together, let’s create waves of change to shape a better future.”