Several of our TEDxThirdWard semifinalists are published authors — and not just self-published, we’re talking major releases, including a USA Today bestseller. I grabbed six of their books and did a quick rundown of each. These are stories that live beyond the stage and keep our theme Dream. Dare. Do. alive in print. @Laryssa Creswell @LaTasha S. @Steve Spiro @Emily Jamea @Obrian Kerr @Nicole Wilhelm

We’ve had so much energy across our TEDxThirdWard family — semifinalists, alumni, and volunteers. Let’s bring that positivity together in person. This Big Idea Mixer is a casual chance to connect with each other face-to-face, enjoy lite bites, and build deeper community as we head into the next phase of TEDxThirdWard. Details: 📅 Sunday, Oct 5 at 4:00 PM CST 📍 My home at The Mosaic on Hermann Park, 5925 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX — building on the left (valet parking available) 👥 Open to TEDxThirdWard semifinalists, volunteers, and alumni RSVP: Please RSVP here so I can plan food and space: Mobilize RSVP Link This is last minute, so totally understand if you can’t make it. But if you can, I’d love to see you there!

I’m Durrel K. Douglas, Curator of TEDxThirdWard, and I’m thrilled you’re here. This community is for dreamers, doers, and everyday storytellers who believe ideas can spark change. Let’s kick things off — introduce yourself in the comments: - Your name - Where you’re from - What bold idea or passion keeps you up at night I'll go first in the comments.

In 3 sentences or less, tell us the big idea you want to share on stage. Keep it short, clear, and powerful. After you post, read a few others and drop a quick comment: - What works well? - What could be sharper? This is your space to practice and support each other.

You’ve made it to the semi-finalist round — congratulations again. This is a big step, and I know you may have questions about what comes next. Join me for a live Semi-Finalist Q&A Session where we’ll cover: - What to expect in the weeks ahead - How to make the most of our Skool community - Tips for polishing your submission - Open time for your questions This is your chance to get clarity, connect with fellow semi-finalists, and walk away feeling confident about the path forward. 📅 Date: Tuesday 9/30 or Thursday 10/2 ⏰ Time: 6-7:30 PM Come ready to ask, listen, and connect. We’re building something special here, and your journey is at the heart of it. RSVP in the Calendar tab so we know you’ll be there. https://www.skool.com/from-dream-to-speaker-stage-4093/calendar?eid=3dc2712c3025487d95cb7d7dea985c20