Columbus is more than a city. It’s a hub of creativity, innovation, and resilience. Every street, every community, every corner holds a story of someone daring to dream bigger.

That’s why TEDxColumbusStateU feels at home here. Our stage reflects the spirit of the city itself: diverse, bold, and forward-thinking.

Columbus has always been a place of builders—of ideas, of communities, of futures. Entrepreneurs launch ventures that reshape industries. Artists challenge us to see beauty and truth in new ways. Educators open doors for the next generation. Activists demand a more just and inclusive tomorrow.

This year’s theme—Explore. Challenge. Inspire.—echoes the very DNA of Columbus. To explore is to stay curious about what’s possible in a city on the rise. To challenge is to face today’s issues with courage, whether they are economic, social, or environmental. And to inspire is to share these victories and lessons, so others feel empowered to create their own path.

When the brightest minds of Columbus step onto the TEDx stage, they’re not just sharing ideas—they’re shaping the future of our city and beyond.

So whether you’re attending for the first time or returning to be part of the community, remember this: TEDxColumbusStateU isn’t just about listening. It’s about belonging to a movement that believes in the power of ideas to transform lives.

Because Columbus is not just a city of dreamers. It’s a city of doers. And together, we are unstoppable.