If you are applying to speak at TEDxThirdWard Salon on Sunday, June 14th, 2026 at MATCH Theater in Houston, this is where you introduce yourself. In the comments below, please share: • Your name • Where you’re from • Your big idea in one or two sentences This is how we begin building community beyond the application. We want to know who you are and what you hope to bring to the stage! Drop your intro below.

We are officially accepting speaker applications for TEDxThirdWard Salon on Sunday, June 14th, 2026 at MATCH Theater in Houston. Link to Apply: https://forms.gle/m8LRs3yawfh7fHJo6 If you have an idea, a story, or a perspective you believe belongs on a TEDx stage, we want to hear from you. Important dates: • Applications close February 21st • Semifinalists will be announced February 28th After you submit your application, make sure you introduce yourself in the pinned post. This is where we begin the journey from idea to stage. Good Luck!

TEDxThirdWard Finalists! We’re thrilled to introduce the next class of changemakers, storytellers, and visionaries who will take the stage at TEDxThirdWard 2026 on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Houston, Texas. This year’s event will be a full day of ideas worth spreading, featuring five dynamic sections filled with talks that challenge, inspire, and ignite new ways of thinking. From personal transformation to social innovation, each speaker brings a powerful story and a unique perspective to the red dot. 🎟️ Tickets are now available! Don’t miss your chance to be in the room for one of Houston’s most inspiring events. ➡️ https://matchouston.org/events/2026/tedx-third-ward And if you’re already counting down to what’s next — mark your calendar! The next TEDxThirdWard Salon will take place in April 2026, continuing our mission to build a year-round platform for big ideas and bold voices. Please join me in congratulating this incredible new group of speakers who are ready to Dream. Dare. Do. #TEDxThirdWard #DreamDareDo #IdeasWorthSpreading #Houston

Hey Folks, I wanted to share some updates and invite you to get more involved as we continue building this growing network of speakers, storytellers, and doers. Volunteer Opportunities We’ve opened the volunteer sign-up for those who want to play a hands-on role in what we’re building. There are opportunities to help with event production, speaker coordination, logistics, creative storytelling, communications, and on-site experience for our upcoming TEDx events. If you’d like to contribute your time and skills while getting a virtual/in-person behind-the-scenes view of things, sign up here: https://forms.gle/MGBPKxFfwZvooty6A Speaker Notifications All speaker emails have been sent. Please check your inbox and your spam folder to see whether you were selected for this round. Every speaker also received a personal call. Even if you weren’t selected for this cycle, stay close. We’re already planning the April event rollout and there will be more opportunities to take the stage in 2025. What’s Next While the speaker lineup for the January 10 TEDxThirdWard event in Houston is set, planning has already started for the April cycle. Next year, there will be four total TEDxThirdWard events: one full-scale event and three smaller Salon events built around specific themes. This community will continue to be our home base, not just for TEDxThirdWard but for the larger speaker ecosystem we’re building together. The Dream to Speaker Stage community is where you can learn, connect, and collaborate with others who share your passion for communication, storytelling, and impact. A Second, Curated Space In addition to this public-facing space, we’re developing a second, curated community for those who want to go deeper. It will include TEDx speakers, curators, and organizers from around the world. The goal is to strengthen your speaker muscle, sharpen your delivery, and connect you with opportunities to grow through collaboration and mentorship.

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.