The thing about a pandemic due a novel virus -- there is no vaccine and there is no treatment. No one in the world has immunity and everyone in the world is susceptible. At first, the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to be an infectious equalizer, but as it spread through communities, it only made existing health and economic disparities even worse. As the Utah State Epidemiologist, Dr. Angela Dunn has been at the forefront of managing the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the state. In this serious, yet heart-felt talk, Dr. Dunn shares how we are all interconnected and when one community suffers, we are all more vulnerable. She provides real and achievable standards so all those in our communities can not just live, but thrive in times of normalcy and in times of crisis. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Wardrobe furnished by Tommaso Cardullo. Dr. Angela Dunn is currently the State Epidemiologist for the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) where she works across the department to identify and address health concerns of Utahns. She came to UDOH as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As an EIS Officer, she has responded to communicable disease outbreaks both in Utah and abroad, including the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. Dr. Dunn is boarded in General Preventive and Public health, and completed her residency training at the University of California, San Diego. Prior to joining the CDC, Dr. Dunn worked as a primary care and public health physician in San Diego, focusing on women’s health, sexually transmitted diseases, refugee health, and tuberculosis. Dr. Dunn also engaged in health systems research and interventions aimed at improving health care delivery within the military health system and federally-qualified health care clinics. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Hip Hop artist C.Valenta is no activist. He has just learned that people are more receptive to hearing raw experiences when presented in the form of lyrics. In this stunning performance, C.Valenta shares some of the anxiety that comes with being a Black man in America—and offers a few suggestions for his brothers and sisters of color. Featuring original songs, “Stuck” and “America, Do You Love Me?” with Michael Collins on drums, Dave Crespo on guitar, Zach Novak on bass, and Evan Taylor on trumpet. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Wardrobe furnished by Tommaso Cardullo. Cornelius was raised by a single mother of 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The adversity he faced left him with two options: follow those before him or deviate, despite the risk it carries. His question wasn’t where to start, but how to establish oneself while lacking direction. During his childhood, his mother would play music in a van that often served as their home. Unknowingly at that time, music would play a pivotal role in the years to come. His hardships changed his priorities, forcing him to place his education on hold, and focus on earning a stable income. In 2015, Cornelius obtained his GED before enrolling at Salt Lake Community College. There he would study two other degrees before he found himself captivated by the music. In November of 2018, music’s impact would allow him to become C. Valenta; creating a mouthpiece for silenced adversities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Salma Hayek is quoted as saying, "People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder." But what does this actually mean for the millions of people, particularly teenage girls, experiencing a lack of self esteem? As a teen beauty contestant, Kennedy Pawloski challenged the idea of conventional beauty standards when she chose debate as her featured talent. She deepens her exploration on the TEDxSaltLakeCity stage as she shares her perspective on what beholding beauty can truly mean. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Wardrobe furnished by Tommaso Cardullo. Kennedy Pawloski is currently a student at Lumen Scholar Institute, working towards both a high school diploma and an associate degree from Utah Valley University. For the past four years she has participated in Speech and Debate, winning awards and placings throughout every year of competition. Kennedy loves Mock Trial, competing with her team most recently with an undefeated 2020 season. Kennedy loves finding new adventures and has tried everything from sourdough bread baking to hand lettering. She is very excited to bring her idea to the TEDxSaltLakeCity stage! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

As an actress and vocalist, Jazzy Olivo found herself in a very loud world, performing words and projecting opinions written by other people. After losing her own identity, she immersed herself in a personal silent treatment, found her own rhythm, and emerged with her first album. Listen as she performs original songs “Para Ti” and “El Circo.” Accompaniment by Courtney Isaiah Smith on keyboard, Alicia Wrigley on bass, and Parker Swenson on drums. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Jazmin “Jazzy” Olivo is a Dominican singer, songwriter, and actress who began her career at the age of 3. After winning numerous singing competitions in her native Dominican Republic, she moved to Utah at the age of 17 and trained with David Schmidt, current Head of Vocal Studies at the University of Utah. In 2005, Jazmin was awarded 6th place in La Academia USA, a musical reality show with Hispanic contestants. She toured the country for a year and then moved to Mexico City where she debuted on Broadway—cast as Motor Mouth Mable in Hairspray the Musical. Since returning to Utah, Jazmin has performed with the Utah Symphony and different local bands. In 2017, Jazmin co-founded a jazz fusion band, The Mix, with Pianist Courtney Smith. Jazzy is now embarking on her solo career with her single “Para Ti, “ the first release from her bilingual (Spanish/English) debut EP, releasing in 2020. Other songs from the album include Broken Bloody Heart, Me Repongo, Kidibum, and El Circo. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Have you ever looked in awe at Chichén Itzá or the Great Pyramid of Giza? What about modern structures like the Dubai Tower or the Millau Viaduct in France? While these structures are impressive, just as impressive are the less noticeable, but arguably more vital, structures we don't take much notice of -- roadways, schools, supermarkets, banks, and even our homes. Sydne Jacques, a civil engineer, brings passion and appreciation to the skilled labor industry and asks us to consider trade school as a viable alternative to the traditional path to success: college. She convincingly makes the case for respecting those who build things, and encouraging students who don’t fit the traditional college model to learn carpentry or plumbing or cosmetology or culinary skills. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Sydne Jacques is an advocate for “humans in hardhats." She is a civil engineer turned CEO and consultant. This farmgirl from Montana built an award-winning company with worldwide clients, has trained over 20,000 individuals and has facilitated team-building for more than 350 construction teams. Sydne has a unique ability to motivate individuals to help them reach the “Next Level” of life and leadership. She was also named one of “30 Women to Watch” by Utah Business Magazine. Sydne currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Utah Associated General Contractors, on the National Advisory Committee for the College of Engineering at Brigham Young University and on the board of directors for the non-profit Working Moms Connections. Sydne loves sports and is proud of two gold medals earned in basketball in the senior Olympics. She and her husband love to travel and she is the proud mother of four awesome kids. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

NOTE FROM TED: We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals... If you are like most people, packaging is just the annoying stuff you have to cut through to get the thing you really want. As the third largest industry in the world, packaging plays a major role in our lives. In this light-hearted talk, Adam Peek, the self-proclaimed Pastor of Packaging, highlights what businesses, both local and global, are doing to create more sustainability in their supply chain - including the packaging they use to get their products to consumers. From the food we consume to just about everything we purchase, the right packaging can contribute solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Adam Peek lives to serve others and elevate their stories. He is passionate about his family, his faith, and uplifting packaging as a source for positive change in both our local and global communities. He is the host of the People of Packaging podcast and is a frequent speaker on packaging and sustainability efforts both in the U.S. and abroad. He works for Fortis Solutions Group and lives in Utah with his wife and their 5 kids. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if you could experience physical movement the same way a dancer does? Screendance director Alicia Ross introduces this unconventional art form that combines dance and cinematography, bringing the audience even closer than front row seats. Her original screendance “in the void” follows, performed by Nicole Smith with music by Fieldhead. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Alicia is a Salt Lake City based dance artist focused on performance, choreography, and filmmaking. She recently graduated with a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah. Throughout her college career she worked with choreographers such as Luc Vanier, Steve Koester, Anouk van Dijk, Satu Hummasti and more. Her latest choreographic work, a solo entitled Introspection, was showcased at the University of Utah’s Fall Student Concert 2019. Through her studies she also found a love for screendance, the collaboration between dance and cinematography. Her first film, entitled Peace Will Come, was screened at ACDA Northwest Conference, the University of Utah’s Spring Student Concert 2019, and LINK by Salt Contemporary Dance. Her second and newest film, in the void, premiered at the University of Utah’s Spring Modern Student Concert and the ASUU Inauguration 2020. She is now a freelance artist looking forward to a career that celebrates humanity through dance in all of its forms. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We've all heard of physical and mental health, but another important aspect to our overall health and wellbeing is social health. In fact, recently in the United States, the surgeon general revealed that social isolation and loneliness just topped obesity to claim second place as one of the top three killers in America. Humans are highly social creatures, but that doesn't always mean that our social interactions are healthy. In this informative talk, Dr. Chelsea Shields, explains how our emotions can easily be high-jacked and then offers guidance on how to evaluate and level up our social health. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Wardrobe furnished by Tommaso Cardullo. Dr. Chelsea Shields is a bio-social anthropologist, placebo studies expert, and runs a local consulting business. In her academic work, Dr. Shields focuses on the evolution and elicitation of the placebo effect outside medical contexts. She coined the concept of social susceptibility to talk about how and why our human bodies have evolved to react, adjust, and adapt to specific social rituals, relationships and communities. Her work also investigates the evolutionary mismatch of modern human hyper-sociality and the health implications of a global, digital, 24/7 social network. In her professional work, Shields runs a research and strategy business that specializes in qualitative, quantitative, and ethnographic research as well as creative ideation, branding, and user-experience design. Dr. Shields is also a TED Fellow, 3x TED speaker, and teaches speaker training that is focused on the 90% of communication we never talk about: the non-verbals! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We need creative thinkers to solve the complex problems of the world. But there is a dark side to creativity. It can be disruptive, jarring, and requires embracing failure. Robin Konie's humorous and light-hearted talk seems like a natural sequel to Sir Ken Robinson's TED Talk about how schools are killing creativity. If this indeed true, Robin states, they aren't doing it alone. Creativity, ultimately, is a rebellious act, but parenting a rebel feels dangerous and is often seen as a personal failure. Robin's hope is that while parents encourage creativity in their children, they might just find their own inner creative genius. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Robin Konie is a researcher, writer, and entrepreneur. An educator at heart, Robin has been teaching in one way or another for more than two decades. After graduating with an MFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah, Robin assumed her career would be fairly straightforward as a university professor. But after five years of teaching in higher education, she made the difficult decision to leave her safe job and start her first business. Since then, Robin has authored six books, written over 400 articles to an online audience of more than 20 million people, and spoken at national conferences and virtual summits. While often messy, the thread that connects her work is a love for the creative process and a deep desire to question everything. That curiosity led Robin to create Munga Punga, an organization dedicated to helping kids and parents ignite their creativity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

As recording artists, sister act Meg and Dia have always painstakingly searched for the right words to create authentic lyrics. When life circumstances sent them on divergent paths for the first time, they weren’t as careful—and damaging words nearly cost them their dreams. Meg Frampton describes how choosing the right words can give us the power to reconcile and ultimately, to heal. Featuring acoustic performances of “Koala” and “Dear Heart” by Meg Frampton, Dia Frampton, and Carlo Gimenez. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Meg and Dia, a sister act from Utah, formed their pop band in 2004. They started out writing their first demo in their bedrooms and recorded the songs in a local studio. After booking several tours on their own in their city and surrounding areas, they decided to contact a manager they met at a local show from L.A. They traveled to Los Angeles to perform at a showcase. They quickly signed to Doghouse Records and released their debut album, “Something Real” in 2005. They went on their first major tour that summer, a punk-rock festival, called The Van’s Warped Tour, which launched their early career. They began touring extensively and released 6 full length albums. Sire Records, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records, signed the band in 2007. Though Meg and Dia tour mostly in the U.S., they have also made stops in western Europe and Southeast Asia. Their most popular song to date is a remix of their first single, “Monster”, which has been viewed over 16,000,000 times on YouTube. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

How do you quantify the value of culture? What benefit does it offer to our communities? Cities dedicate big money, sometimes in the billions of dollars, to incentivize economic growth if it can be paid for with future tax revenues. How can artists tap into that? Adam Bateman breaks down the economic impact individual artists have in their communities and using examples from Brooklyn, Detroit, and Austin, he makes a case for direct-to-artist grants. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Adam Bateman was raised in Ephraim, Utah. He received a BA in English with a Spanish Minor at BYU. He received an MFA from Pratt Institute with recognition for special achievement in Sculpture. He was the Executive Director of CUAC, an award winning, and internationally publicized non-profit art venue located in Salt Lake City that featured Utah artists paired with artists from around the world, and has curated exhibitions all around the United States. As an artist, he has exhibited his work all across the country, including numerous museum exhibitions—UMFA, UMOCA, BYU’s MOA, Schnieder Art Museum, Boulder Museum of Contemporary art, Akurari Art Museum, Disjecta, Barrick Museum, to name a few, and in Spain, Germany, Japan, and Iceland. He is a recipient of the Utah Artist Fellowship and of the Joan Mitchell Fellowship. He is also a UX Strategist and he just launched a disruptive art initiative in Salt Lake City called The Flat File. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Air pollution is the result of industrialization and urbanization. As the creators of industry and the consumers of its technology we have the responsibility to clean up its toxins. Tony Pavlantos has done the research and cycling at a snail’s pace carrying ski equipment up the canyon may not be for everyone. As an environmentally conscious professional snowboarder turned entrepreneur, Tony has a down-to-earth manner about him that makes his suggestions easy to hear and a joy to implement. This presentation was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a limited live audience of cast and crew members. While applause has been added to the beginning and end of the video, all other aspects have intentionally remained as filmed to honor the struggle and loss experienced globally during 2020. Tony Pavlantos is a local athlete and entrepreneur and co-founder of Prival USA, The Prival Foundation, and Arbor Concepts. Tony's environmental and philanthropic values are directed toward improving the air we breathe. In search of powder-covered mountains to foster his snowboarding career, Tony landed in Salt Lake City. While exploring the Eastern Shoshone, Goshute and Ute native land from high on the ridgelines, Tony couldn’t ignore the toxic air in the valley below. Personally, he began radical experimentation with how he moves and where he dwells. In business, experiences with product design illuminated the environmental impacts of manufacturing. Socially, he committed to US production of outdoor gear, and offered his voice into the legislative process. Tony lives on the delicate line between environmental ethics and efficient business, believing economic development and the wellbeing of the natural world are compatible, viable, and crucial. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx