TEDxKC announces a perspective-altering lineup for its summer event

Prepare to shift your perspective.

One of the largest, independently-organized TEDx events in the world, TEDxKC has announced perspective-altering speakers for its summer event.

With a theme of “perspective,” the ninth-annual TEDxKC is set for Aug. 18 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Nearly 3,000 people attended TEDxKC in 2016 and, like years past, the summer event is expected to sell out in minutes.

Tickets go on sale June 20 and will include admission to Act III, the official after-party. Act III will feature live music, beverages, artistic displays, experiential activities and more. Tickets start at $28 for a simulcast experience in Muriel Kauffman Theatre and are $55 for the live event held in Helzberg Hall.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and VML are the leading sponsors of the event, with support also provided by Bash Real Estate, Chicken N’ Pickle, Dimensional Innovations, Google Fiber, Harvest Productions, HOK, Kauffman Center, KCPT, Lee, Marriott KC Downtown and Pinsight Media.

Here are the upcoming TEDxKC speakers:

Adam Foss – criminal justice reform advocate
Veteran of the TED Conference stage, Foss will share how America’s profit-driven criminal justice system is failing and represents a much larger problem.

Cathi Hanauer – author, editor & co-founder of New York Times “Modern Love” column
Journalist and New York Times bestselling author of three novels and two essay anthologies, Hanauer founded the popular column “Modern Love” with her husband Daniel Jones. In her talk, she will explore the dissatisfaction in relationships that stem from chasing unachievable “traditional” archetypes.

Robert Hernandez – professor, journalist, virtual reality expert
Hernandez is an associate professor of professional practice at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication and specializes in web journalism solutions. His talk will focus on the intersection of technology and journalism.

Jenny Hollowell – writer and performer
Author of the novel Everything Lovely, Effortless, Safe (Henry Holt & Co), Hollowell is also releasing a studio album later this year.

Nia Orms – actress, writer and comedian
Exploring the healing power of comedy, Orms will perform her spoken word piece entiteld “Where Do You Stand.”

Anika Paulson – student, musician, TEDEd and TED Main-stage Veteran
Paulson will explore quantum physics and music theory to explain her place in the world.

Preetha Ji – teacher, wisdom-keeper, transformationalist
Ji is the co-founder of the One World Academy (OWA) near Chennai, India. Her talk will explore both ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience to explain mindfulness and mediation.

William Robertson – artist, maker, historian, mechanician
Maker Robertson designs historically accurate tools. His work has been displayed in multiple museums, from the Smithsonian to Kansas City’s own Toy and Miniature Museum.

Lindsey Roy – storyteller, executive, innovator
After a tragic accident leaving Roy with an amputated left leg, Roy learned how to harness disruption and find clarity in the chaos.

Louis Rosenberg – inventor, researcher, author, artificial intelligence expert
Rosenberg is the CEO of Unanimous A.I. Unanimous and has over 350 patents awarded for his work.

Angela Speck, astrophysics and astronomy professor at the University of Missouri
Speck is the co-chair of a national task force preparing the U.S. for a total eclipse of the sun that will occur on August 21, 2017. Her talk will share insights and tell why St. Joseph, Mo. is expected to be one of the best places to experience the eclipse.