TEDx Returns to Syracuse University to Change the Narrative
Photo of Dean David Seaman and Ryan Nkongnyu ’25 on the TEDx stage April 9, 2025. Photo taken by Ronald Thiele.
by Linda Dickerson Hartsock, Strategic Initiatives Advisor
After a years-long hiatus following the pandemic, TEDx made a powerful return to Syracuse University this spring, igniting the Tan Auditorium inside the National Veterans Resource Center. With Syracuse University Libraries returning as host sponsor with the collaboration of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, the event was a celebration of ideas, identity and the stories we tell, both to others and to ourselves.
Dean of Syracuse University Libraries and University Librarian David Seaman shared his pride in sponsoring the event. “We are thrilled that TEDx at Syracuse University continues to be a platform where knowledge, passion and possibility intersect. It is fitting for the Libraries to be the convener of events like these that strengthen our intellectual community and amplify the voices of our students and scholars. The return of TEDx not only renews a beloved campus tradition, but it also affirms the Libraries as a hub for dialogue, creativity, and global impact.”
A student leader’s vision
Organized by Ryan Nkongnyu ’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), the evening brought together diverse and dynamic speakers who used their subjective experiences and professional insights to challenge narratives and spark transformative thought. Nkongnyu, a first-generation college student leader and visionary, poured his passion into every element of the event, best expressed through his deeply personal opening remarks.
“For those who do not know me,” he said to a buzzing auditorium, “I am Ryan Nkongnyu, a senior majoring in Communication & Rhetorical Studies, and I am honored to be the organizer of this event and your host for the evening. I would like to dedicate this event to my mother, who, through faith and an unwavering spirit, was the inspiration for Changing the Narrative.”
Nkongnyu told the story of how his mother, whose courage and determination brought him from Cameroon to the United States, planted the seeds for a future full of opportunity, purpose and change. “She decided to take control of her story and change her narrative,” he said, his voice steady but full of emotion. “All of us have the power to do this, especially students. Our generation is one of participation, not just observation. We are one of innovation, not just limitation.”
“I’ve watched TEDx talks as a kid and dreamed that one day I would stand on a stage like this, not just to be seen, but to inspire,” he said. “My mother changed the narrative for our family by imagining a new life for us. Tonight is about what happens when each of us makes that choice, for our ourselves, for our communities and for the world.”
He also paid tribute to two Blackstone LaunchPad alumni who inspired him. Chris Sekerak ’19 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management and School of Information Studies), a senior analyst at CB Insights, created the original TEDx Syracuse events in 2018 and 2019, working with the School of Information Studies and Syracuse University Libraries. He mentored Nkongyu on how to relaunch TEDx. Nkongnyu also credited Ryan Williams, a former SU student who worked as a startup mentor during his college years and was co-founder of the LaunchPad venture CLLCTVE. He noted that he heard Williams speak at TEDx Syracuse 2019 and was incredibly moved. “His speech that night was a milestone in my life. It inspired this vision to bring TEDx back to life, and I am so honored that he is here with us tonight.” Williams is now an organizational design, strategy and management consultant based in Syracuse.
The powerful voices behind the theme
Changing the Narrative asked speakers and attendees alike to examine the stories that shape the world—from dominant media portrayals to personal histories—and consider how rewriting those narratives can empower individuals and communities. In a world flooded with information, the ability to challenge conventional narratives is a creative act.
Each speaker embodied this philosophy, bringing forth unique and poignant perspectives designed to educate and empower others through collective research, innovation and action. The speakers included:
Sonia Issa G’25 and ’24 on the TEDx stage April 9, 2025. Photo by Ronald Thiele.
Sonia Issa G’25 and ’24: “Breaking Cycles, Not Ourselves”
A graduate student who also earned her undergraduate degree at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Issa took the stage with a soul-stirring message rooted in lived experience and public policy. A systems thinker and community strategist from Brownsville, Brooklyn, Issa’s work spans public, nonprofit and academic sectors. She’s led programs in housing justice, restorative practices and youth mentorship—often simultaneously. In her talk, she explored what it means to break generational and institutional cycles while protecting one's own well-being. “Too often,” she said, “we are taught to wear resilience like armor. But real change is not about self-sacrifice—it’s about sustainable systems, care and healing.” With nearly a decade in public service, Issa offered not only hope but a blueprint for positive change.
Alie Savane ’25 on the TEDx stage April 9, 2025. Photo by Ronald Thiele.
Alie Savane ’25: “Reclaim Your Narrative: The Choice That Changes Everything”
Hailing from the Bronx by way of West Africa, Alie Savane is more than a first-generation pre-med student in the College of Arts & Sciences; he is a dynamic leader, global health advocate and entrepreneur. As the founder of Bété Kola, a wellness brand that incorporates the kola nut—a traditional West African remedy—into modern nutrition, Savane bridges culture and innovation. His talk focused on the empowerment that comes from rewriting one’s own story from his perspective as a passionate advocate for global health equality. “A narrative isn’t just a story. It’s a decision,” he said. “You don’t have to inherit the limitations placed on you.” His work, from mentoring students on campus to participating in global health initiatives in Guatemala and The Gambia, demonstrates how personal narratives can evolve into platforms for broader change.
Melissa Nicole Martinez on the TEDx stage April 9, 2025. Photo by Ronald Thiele.
Melissa Nicole Martinez: “Be A Creator”
Melissa Nicole Martinez, assistant teaching professor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, brought a creator’s spirit and a strategist’s mind to the TEDx stage. Having led media strategies for global platforms and brands, Martinez now teaches students how to wield content creation as a tool for visibility, empowerment and economic opportunity.
“Media shapes culture, and culture shapes possibility,” Martinez explained. Her talk emphasized that today’s digital age allows anyone with a smartphone to become a narrator of change. She urged attendees to move from passive consumers to intentional creators. “If we want to change the narrative, we need to stop waiting to be seen—and start telling our own stories.”
Jordan Pierre G’24 ’23 on the TEDx stage April 9, 2025. Photo by Ronald Thiele.
Jordan Pierre G’24 ’23: “The Danger of a Single Narrative Story”
National speaker, youth mentor, media analyst and LaunchPad alum Jordan Pierre knows firsthand the danger of narrow narratives. A S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications graduate with degrees in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and Television, Radio, and Film, Pierre’s work centers on media literacy, authenticity and representation. He was featured on The Tamron Hall Show and Hoda & Jenna and has become a voice for young Black men navigating complex identities. Pierre’s message cut to the core: “You become what you watch,” he said. “If all you ever see are stereotypes, you start to internalize them.” His talk dissected how the media oversimplifies identities and how young people can reclaim their sense of self by broadening the lens.
Clare Frattarola ’10 on the TEDx stage April 9, 2025. Photo by Ronald Thiele.
Clare Frattarola ’10: “How Teaching Kids Emotional Intelligence Can Change the World”
After a decade in media working with giants like Disney and Paramount, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications alum Clare Frattarola took a leap and founded We Are Saplings, a mindfulness-based brand that teaches children emotional literacy. Her company uses nature-inspired characters and simple practices—like breathing exercises and yoga—to help kids understand and regulate their emotions. “Teaching kids emotional intelligence isn’t just soft skills—it’s foundational to a healthier society,” Frattarola told the audience. Her talk reminded attendees that the future of narrative change starts with the youngest among us. “When we give children the tools to understand themselves,” she said, “we help them change the narrative from the inside out.”
Jeffrey A. Rogers on the TEDx stage April 9, 2025. Photo by Ronald Thiele.
Jeffrey A. Rogers – “Cultivating Collaboration for Success Intentionally”
Leadership coach and business strategist Jeffrey A. Rogers offered a pragmatic but profound message about teamwork and intention. Founder of Syracuse-based Catalyst Leadership Dynamics, Rogers specializes in developing C-suite leaders and entrepreneurs by aligning personal clarity with business outcomes. “Success doesn’t happen by accident,” he told the audience. “It happens by design.” His TEDx talk encouraged young professionals and changemakers to adopt collaborative leadership styles, practice emotional intelligence in the workplace and define their personal why.
Keeping the stories and spark alive
The event wasn’t a series of speeches, but rather a convening of purpose-driven thinkers. Between talks, the audience engaged in conversations, shared reflections and connected with one another. The excitement and energy were palpable, signaling something bigger than a one-night event. In fact, this year’s event leadership team has already identified a group to continue the momentum next year.
Dean Seaman reflected on the broader vision. “We are proud of TEDx at Syracuse University. It is a platform not just for ideas but for community building and critical thinking. We hope the dialogue it sparked continues far beyond this event. SU Libraries is a place for researchers, big thinkers and doers – faculty, staff, students and alumni from all academic disciplines – who come together to shape positive change in the world.”
This spring, TEDx Syracuse University 2025 redefined itself, and in doing so, reminded us that Changing the Narrative is not about rewriting history. It is about building something bigger together – a world defined by ideas, innovation and human connection – underscored by the resilience of the human spirit.
What Is TEDx?
TEDx is a program of independently organized events licensed by TED, designed to bring communities together to share ideas worth spreading. While inspired by the format and spirit of the global TED Conference, each TEDx event is locally curated and tailored to its host community. The “x” signifies an independently organized event—and Syracuse University’s TEDx continues to grow as one of the region’s most vibrant platforms for thought leadership, innovation and storytelling. This event marked the third time that SU Libraries has hosted TEDx Syracuse.