“It is wonderful to work with another amazing group of Marshall University students to organize this year’s event,” said Dr. Brian Kinghorn, TEDxMarshallU’s Organizer and Licensee. “Although our theme and our speakers’ ideas are applicable to a world-wide audience, I’m particularly excited that our event will also commemorate America250 as we channel the inspiration and independent spirits of our founding fathers to inspire future generations.”
The event is set to be transformative, as a group of diverse individuals including students, professors, medical professionals and advocates share ideas that challenge conventional thinking and redefine what is possible today. Through a wide range of perspectives and ideas, these voices demonstrate the power of independent thought and show that when curiosity and inspiration collide, the potential for innovation is limitless.
Audience members will reflect on the meaning of Inspired Independence with the following speakers:
Bukola Adeshina, a third-year medical student at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine whose upbringing instilled in her a deep commitment to service, community, and equitable access to care. Growing up in Nigeria, where navigating the healthcare system often depended on chance, clarity or privilege, she developed an early awareness of how profoundly health literacy shapes outcomes. She is the co-founder and CEO of Access Insight, LLC, created the Herd Community Health Committee, and works with the American College of Physicians Health and Public Policy Committee.
Dr. Jeremy Baird, practitioner of Emergency Medicine for over 20 years in a wide spectrum of settings, from large university hospitals to a free-standing emergency department in a corn field. Most recently he spent a year working on the small island of Saipan. He enjoys experiencing both the natural and human world around him and appreciates diversity of culture and thought, as well as finding great joy in mentoring and contributing to someone’s learning journey.
Dr. Josh Brunty, professor of Cyber Forensics and Cybersecurity at Marshall University and the current head coach of the U.S. Cyber Team, where he has led the U.S. national team in international cybersecurity competitions. Additionally, he serves on multiple editorial boards and national standards committees, conducts research that focuses on digital forensics, competitive cybersecurity, algorithmic transparency and ethical AI, and has published award-winning work on wearable device forensics.
Erica Deligne, a fashion and brand consultant, creative entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor and advocate dedicated to redefining beauty and empowering women to embrace confidence from within. She launched Delightfully Deligne in 2014, blending her years of experience in retail and fashion with a passion for helping women express their authentic style. After choosing to heal as a flat-chested survivor following her 2021 diagnosis, Deligne expanded her platform to merge fashion with purpose-driven advocacy, creating a space where style, self-acceptance, and education intersect.
Kimberly Lewis, an award-winning advocate for people with disabilities and differences, a best-selling author, speaker and visionary. She serves as president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of East Texas. She serves as the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of East Texas, bringing over 25 years of executive-level experience in the nonprofit and business sectors. She channels her passion for storytelling through her weekly blog on nonprofit leadership at www.motivationalmuse.com and on her popular podcast, Motivational Muse by Kimberly B. Lewis.
Dr. Brad Profitt, a chiropractor and doctor of physical therapy with over 25 years of clinical experience helping patients break free from chronic pain. Profitt specializes in neuroscience-based pain management, teaching patients how to harness the brain’s remarkable ability to reduce or even eliminate pain by redirecting focus and rewiring perception. What makes his approach especially powerful is that he’s lived it: Profitt has faced his own seasons of intense physical and emotional pain, moments that taught him—firsthand—how powerfully our focus shapes both our pain and our future.
Ryann Province, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist from Parkersburg, West Virginia. She got her first guitar at 7 years old; in the years that followed, she learned to play along to her favorite songs, including tracks by Fall Out Boy, Joan Jett, and Taylor Swift. Although she leaned into her acoustic playing style, a special place in her heart remained reserved for rock ‘n’ roll. After a decade of writing (and a four-year fling with pop-punk), her debut album, “Secrets,” was released on Nov. 6, 2020. Today, Ryann studies Filmmaking, Creative Writing and Ad/PR at Marshall University.
Matthew Webb, a husband, father of five, naturalized American, and writer. Born and raised in Bristol, England, he moved to the United States in 2013 after meeting the woman who would become his wife. America offered him life, liberty, and countless opportunities—but happiness remained surprisingly elusive. Through experience and plenty of imperfections, Webb has come to believe that happiness often escapes us not because it is unattainable, but because our pursuit of it is pointed in the wrong direction. His journey explores what happens when we pause, reevaluate, and chase something more meaningful than the next accomplishment.
In addition to these 8 speakers, the audience will be able to enjoy a performance from Hoot & Holler, a community marching band based out of Huntington. The band focuses on inclusion, joy and creativity.
“As curation continues, my wonderful team and I carry out with developing talks that offer not only information, but perspective and insight,” said Demi Olin, curation coordinator and co-organizer. “We hope to provide the audience with newly acquired knowledge that ignites an inner flame and inspires them to pass the torch forward, creating a blazing path toward the future.”
To learn more about the event or to purchase tickets, please visit tedxmarshallu.com. Early bird tickets are $20, and university and K-12 student tickets are $5. Early bird sales end on Feb. 14, 2026, when general admission tickets will become available. Children under 8 years old will not be permitted at the event. Additional information is available by contacting Piper Cook, communications director, at cookpi@marshall.edu or 304-732-1101.
Additional information about the event can be found at www.tedxmarshallu.com. TEDxMarshallU is also on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of discovering and spreading ideas, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to discovering, debating and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change. Our organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder and the pursuit of knowledge — without an agenda. We welcome people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and connection with others, and we invite everyone to engage withideas and activate them in your community. TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, but today it spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives exploring everything from science and business to education, arts and global issues. In addition to the TED Talks curated from our annual conferences and published on TED.com, we produce original podcasts, short video series, animated educational lessons (TED-Ed) and TV programs that are translated into more than 100 languages and distributed via partnerships around the world. Each year, thousands of independently run TEDx events. Through the Audacious Project, TED has helped catalyze $6.6 billion in funding for projects that support bold solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges — working to make the world more beautiful, sustainable and just. In 2020, TED launched Countdown, an initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and mobilize a movement for a net-zero future, and in 2023 TED launched TED Democracy to spark a new kind of conversation focused on realistic pathways towards a more vibrant and equitable future.
View a full list of TED’s many programs and initiatives. Follow TED on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.