Posted on

OWN IT 2017 Sneak Peek

The OWN IT Summit will be on March 18th with main stage speakers in Gaston Hall, breakout sessions around campus and a marketplace in HSFC. Do you find yourself asking what exactly is OWN IT? Well, here is its mission statement:

“Preparing the next generation of female leaders: OWN IT is bridging the gap between female leaders of the 21st century and the millennials who admire them, by shaking up the women’s leadership arena and producing accessible events for college-aged women.”

That’s got me ~feelin myself~.

Last year two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach helped ~kick off~ the Summit. She sat down for an interview with CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell and received the OWN IT award.

A few of her fellow speakers from OWN IT 2016 will be in attendance this year, including Amani Al-Khatatbeh, founder & Editor-in-Chief of Muslim Girl,

and Sarah McBride, National Press Secretary of the Human Rights Campaign.

Now back to 2017. Before reading any further, I highly suggest you click this link and play “The Future is Female” by Madame Gandhi. Madame Gandhi will be performing at the summit this year. On top of that, she, herself, is a Hoya.

She graduated in 2011 after majoring in Math. Before she launched her solo career, she was a drummer for MIA (brb transferring schools to become a math major).

So, if that hasn’t gotten you excited to #OWNIT, we at 4E are here to update you on some of the speakers, vendors and other happenings at the Summit this year.

Madame Gandhi will not be the sole Hoya to speak at OWN IT. She will be joined by one of the founders of Misfit Juicery, Anne Yang, who graduated just last year. Misfit Juicery uses fruit that was deemed unsuitable to sell due to its appearance to make juice (pro tip: don’t judge a fruit by its cover).

Anastasia Somozoa is another Hoya returning to the Hilltop for the Summit. You might recognize her as one of the speakers at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. She is also an international disability rights activist.

Current Hoya Summer Durant (C ’17), who spoke at TEDxGeorgetown this fall, will reprise parts of her talk at the Summit.

These Hoyas will be joined by the following leading ladies:

Symone Sanders, a CNN Political Correspondent and Former Press Secretary for the Bernie Sanders campaign.

Tina Tchen, former Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama.

Congresswoman Stephanie Murray, a Democrat from Florida who has earned the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.

These are just a few of the accomplished and game-changing women that will be speaking at OWN IT. If you’d like to see the other speakers, check out the Facebook page.

Not only do they get to listen to women leaders speak on Gaston, but attendees partake in two breakout sessions, smaller, topic-focused panels where they have the chance to interact with speakers and become their best friend.

The Summit will also have a marketplace with over twenty vendors including Sweetgreen, POLITICO and Maracas Ice Pops. Sweetgreen is a sponsor of the event and will be providing lunch for the day. POLITICO will conduct video interviews with attendees for their upcoming website and will present print issues and provide promotional items. Three student groups will also be a part of the marketplace: Bossier, McDonough Women, and Bassigue. Bossier is creating a magazine issue specifically for the Summit which they will feature at the marketplace. McDonough Women will provide promotional items and Bassigue will present their merchandise.

If that doesn’t seem like enough, attendees get swag bags, which last year included an OWN IT pen and definitely helped me #own my finals.

So get ready to #OWNIT! And if you were unable to acquire a ticket, but still want to watch the day unfold, follow the Summit online through #ownit2017.

Photos/gifs: Giphy.com, OWNITSummit.com, TEDXGeorgetown.org, Facebook.com/theownitsummit.com, buquad.com

Posted on

TEDxGeorgetown Tipping Point

tipping pointOctober 22, 2016

Gaston Hall

6 Students. 1 Professor. 3 External Speakers.

This is TEDxGeorgetown: Tipping Point

A tipping point, according to Malcolm Gladwell’s book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference, is “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.”

Here are some 4E examples of Tipping Points:

– When you find the right gif, after searching for three straight classes.


– When your computer dies just before you find out who gets the final rose.


– When you finally get a great TEDxGeorgetown photo two years later.
Screen Shot 2016-10-16 at 14.16.49 DJ Tedx

Shoutout to 4E star and TEDxGeorgetown co-chair, D.J. Angelini.

To hear more Tipping Points, come to TEDxGeorgetown on Saturday October 22nd in Gaston Hall. Doors open at 9:30am and the day officially begins at 10:30am. Get your tickets here. And to learn more about TEDxGeorgetown check out their website and Facebook.

Photos: Facebook/TEDxGeorgetown

Posted on

Get Xcited for TEDx Georgetown

risktakers

If you haven’t heard or seen on Facebook, TEDx is coming to Georgetown this Saturday. So you should probably attempt to contain your excitement and stop re-watching your favorite TED talks. Or continue, 4E will not judge you (read: This is mine).

For those of you out of the know, TED talks are speeches given about specific topics that are intended to spread ideas and start conversations. TEDx is a TED talk for specific communities or organizations who want to spark conversation and connection in a TED-like manner. For the past few years, Georgetown has been hosting its own TEDx conference. This year’s theme is RISK TAKERS (Cue: goosebumps).

Obviously, you need to attend. Tickets are free for Georgetown students (with GoCard). The event starts at 10AM and goes til 6PM. Do you need more of an incentive? Thankfully we’ve got you covered.

You should attend TEDx Georgetown because:

1. The legacy of being part of a TED talk. Nowadays it seems like everyone in the world has seen a TED talk (and loved it). Being able to take part of one of these momentous occasions is a serious privilege and something we should all take advantage of. Plus, a bunch of celebrities we know and love have done TED. Like Shia LaBeouf.

2. The theme is “Risk Takers” for goodness sake. I mean this inherently has to be cool. Don’t we all want to be edgy and risky? Just me? Nonetheless, we all here at Georgetown could learn a little bit more about taking risks in our daily lives, especially if Georgetown students themselves are telling their risky stories.

giphy

3. TasTED, their food market, is such a perfect pun. Also, food. Who can pass that up? After all that #knowledge being dropped on you, you will most likely be hungry. Their food lineup is like their speaker lineup, flawless.

12108272_954225911290833_2143471918841251504_n

4. The social media game here is out of control and you should become part of it. Friends with any of the team members or speakers on Facebook? If so, you prbably understand what I am talking about. They have gone above and beyond to make TEDxGeorgetown one of the most publicized events on social media this semester. We know you want to be like them. #‎RiskTakers2015‬

tumblr_mto7zeXgpl1qdpl9ro3_250

5. The speakers are on point. The best part about TEDx is that the speakers are people you might see while on line at Midnight Mug or have never seen before. Sure, we talk a lot about community here at Georgetown, but this takes community to the next level.

12113510_951219758258115_2420600343373385364_oSo, what do you think, are you up to take the risk?

Photos/Gifs/Videos: youtube.com; Facebook; ted.com; tumblr.com; giphy.com

Posted on

TEDx4E: An Interview With The 2013 TEDxGeorgetown Student Speakers

TEDx thefourthedition

TEDxGeorgetown is back with more of their “ideas worth spreading”. TED is a non-profit organization that was developed in 1984 to help foster innovative ideas in the fields of technology, entertainment and design. Now, almost thirty years later, TED has branched out around the globe, and has even launched special TEDx programs, which are self-organized events that aim to share and create a unique and informative TED-esque experience.

TEDxGeorgetown began on the Hilltop in 2011 and, in less than two years time, the organization has burgeoned into an exciting force at GU. Two years ago, the group hosted its first ever TEDxGeorgetown event where twelve speakers delivered speeches on the theme of power.

On October 26th, TEDxGeorgetown will be back for another round of inspiring speeches. This year’s event will focus on Changemakers and will be divided into three sessions. The first, moderated by Georgetown University President Jack DeGioia, will focus on “Global Human Development.” The second will feature “Men and Women for Others” and the third will revolve around “Cura Personalis.”

After a competitive selection process, three Georgetown Students were chosen to speak at this year’s TEDxGeorgetown event. 4E sat down with them to hear about their speeches, learn why they were excited to deliver TED talks and (of course) to get in touch with their quirky side. Take a look:

Name Rashawn Davis427375_10150935470060194_168306166_n
School College
Year 2014
Major Government
Minor Justice and Peace Studies
Hometown Newark, NJ
Activities Georgetown NAACP President

Without revealing too much, give us a teaser of your upcoming TED talk.

My talk is about my candidacy to become the next West Ward Coucilman in Newark, NJ and about how throughout my journey I’ve met and talked to so many great people and heard so many great stories that have really contributed to my understanding of change and leadership.

This year’s TEDxGeorgetown theme is “changemakers.” How are you a changemaker?

Not many people my age run for public office, and I think that they should. I hope my candidacy not only inspires other young people to run for office, but it shows the world that millennials are the true innovation that cities across this country need.

What does it mean to you to be able to give a TED talk?

I am incredibly humbled, nervous and excited to give a TED talk. I have spent many hours watching and being inspired by TED talks, so to be able to give one is such an honor and a blessing.

If you could choose to have dinner with one person in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

If I could go to dinner with one person … wow, thats hard, but I would have to go with Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia. I am a huge city buff, and Mayor Nutter is one of my favorite mayors. He has a keen sense of what makes cities operate, and he as a grand plan for Philadelphia’s future. He is also a very “tell it like it is” mayor and I appreciate that about him.

 —–

163327_10151418015578894_395201736_nName Heather Artinian
School College
Year 2015
Major Government
Minor Justice and Peace Studies
Hometown Glen Cove, NY
Activities Community outreach coordinator for the Georgetown Scholarship Program, founder and president of Girls For Change, treasurer and team member of Women’s Club Basketball, referee for Georgetown Intramural Basketball, member of Baker Scholar Program

Without revealing too much, give us a teaser of your upcoming TED talk.

Definitely don’t want to reveal too much, but I would say that it will be, at least I hope, a talk about bridging between two different worlds and the lessons I’ve learned from my life. I guess to sum it up in one sentence I could say: you’ll hear from a culturally deaf-cochlear-implant wearing, hearing-world-living, 20-year-old-woman that has experienced discrimination. My whole life started from the documentary Sound and Fury that sparked a huge controversy between the deaf and the hearing worlds and continues to exist today (Academy Award nominated!) I can elaborate more if you’d like! (Writer’s note: We can’t wait to hear you elaborate on the 26th!)

This year’s TEDxGeorgetown theme is “changemakers.” How are you a changemaker?

I wouldn’t exactly call myself a changemaker, but I do think that I strive for it because I’ve worked really hard to be the bridge between myself and other people of different worlds, to build and then continue to build a bridge between the hearing and deaf worlds. I’ve come across hearing families who have decided to give their deaf child cochlear implants and teach them American Sign Language at the same time; I’ve come across deaf families who have allowed their children to get implants as a result of seeing my speech or seeing the movie – things like that. More to come!

What does it mean to you to be able to give a TED talk?

It means the world to me to be able to share my story with the Georgetown community that has embraced me. If I can inspire one person that would make all the difference to me. Hoya Saxa forever! TED is also a great organization, and I am so, so honored and privileged to be able to share my ideas with TEDxGeorgetown.

Heather, what is your spirit animal?

A monkey! Because I tend to swing from world to world, and they’re just straight up cuddly.

—–

Name Jimmy Ramirez25959_526808980674384_29567694_n
School College
Year 2016
Major Government
Minor Justice and Peace Studies, Film and Media Studies
Hometown Antioch, CA
Activities Georgetown Blue and Gray Tour Guides, The Corp, The Lecture Fund

Without revealing too much, give us a teaser of your upcoming TED talk.

My talk is going to be about my story and the lessons I have learned. I really hope to drop the microphone (see below). Just kidding, it’s going to be very serious and awesome. (Writer’s note: Jimmy also asked us to include this gif to add further suspense to his impending speech and to demonstrate the proper manner in which to drop a microphone.)KanyeDropsMic-1

This year’s TEDxGeorgetown theme is “changemakers.” How are you a changemaker?

As a consultant for the California Homeless Youth Project, I helped launch the nation’s first ever state wide plan to end youth homelessness, which has gone on to inspire eight different pieces of legislation in the state of California.

What does it mean to you to be able to give a TED talk?

It’s a blessing, but also very nerve-wracking. I really want to teach the audience something awesome and informative.

If you were sorted into Hogwarts right now, which house would you be in and why?

Gryffindor, because Hermione Granger. Enough said.