Speakers


Iyesha Bush

Iyesha Bush

To be a seed grounded in self, rooted in community means to "overstand", that self growth, evolution and transformation, begins only when we are ready, "grounded enough" to go inside "self", then, we will begin to use that "inner stillness" to hear our true self, our intuition, our truth, and with this awareness, we will begin to sprout into healthy "communities."


Iyesha Bush, a native of Columbus, Ohio, is a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Ohio Counselor Board. She received her bachelor's in communication from Clark Atlanta University in 2004. In 2007, she enlisted in the United States Army for 6 years; during this time, she deployed twice to Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom).

In 2012, she attended South Carolina State University, obtaining dual Master's degrees from this HBCU. A Master's in Individual & Family Development (2014) and a Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling (2016). Career driven, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant as an Army Officer in 2014, serving in the SC National Guard until 2016.


Iyesha interned at Mary haven and House of Hope, where she was selected as primary counselor for a court ordered program called “UP”-Unleashing Potential; an opportunity to help vulnerable young adults ages 18-25, make cognitive and behavioral changes to prevent recidivism and provide tools to become healthier versions of themselves.


Iyesha is passionate about ending the stigma associated with Mental Health. She is changing the narrative that seeking help for mental health challenges is “OK” that you are not CRAZY! Getting help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. 


Get tickets!

Delmarshae Sledge

Delmarshae Sledge

To be a seed grounded in self, rooted in community means to know what I have to give and what I need to thrive with a willingness to intentionally cultivate community in a particular place with specific people.


Delmarshae, a semi-retired clergy person, has been a Spiritual Director since 2009. Her professional ministry spans 25+ years of service in both church and society. Her church experience includes supporting congregations in faith formation and worship planning. Beyond the pews her contributions center DV, HIV/AIDS, and Housing Justice service organizations. Delmarshae provides spiritual guidance and companionship in the Womanist Way of kitchen table conversation. Her academic preparation includes earned degrees, Master of Arts in History and Master of Divinity. A recent transplant to Columbus, Ohio, she lives with her daughter and three lovely grandchildren.

Sarah Young-Napper

Sarah Young-Napper

To be a seed grounded in self, rooted in community means to cultivate self-awareness and empathy from an early age, while nurturing a sense of belonging, justice, and shared responsibility for others. It means recognizing the value in every voice and using our influence—no matter how small—to grow a more inclusive and compassionate world.


I am an Early Childhood Educator with a background in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), with deep roots in community work through the Black Church. As a pastor, licensed cosmetologist, and group fitness instructor, I am passionate about helping others become the best version of themselves—spiritually, mentally, and physically. 


My work centers around affirming identity, challenging societal narratives, and empowering people to walk boldly in their purpose. Whether I’m in the classroom, pulpit, or community space, I lead with compassion, authenticity, and a deep commitment to equity and healing.

Get tickets!

Tasha Lomo

Tasha Lomo

To be a seed grounded in self, rooted in community means to resist the systems and institutions invested in the protection of capital and the death of Black people and other marginalized communities.


I aim to create spaces that serve as catalysts for transformation within Black and Brown communities by bridging creativity, design thinking, and holistic wellness to design systems that are inclusive and culturally competent. With my experience in community partnerships, program facilitation, and design research, I aim to develop systems that are equitable for Black and Brown communities to thrive.

Jamie Blunt

The Amazing Tei Street

To be a seed grounded in self, rooted in community, means to teach what you know, and still leave room for self to grow.


Tei Street is an accomplished executive with a proven track record of driving strategic growth and operational excellence across diverse industries. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Tei has consistently delivered results by fostering collaborative environments and implementing innovative solutions. 


Tei’s expertise extends to board governance, where she has served on multiple boards, providing strategic guidance and oversight. She is adept at navigating complex challenges, building strong relationships, and driving consensus among stakeholders.


Known for her passion for developing young people, Tei excels at identifying opportunities, developing actionable plans, and executing initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes. She is a results-oriented leader with a strong commitment to integrity and ethical conduct. Tei's leadership style is characterized by her ability to inspire and empower teams, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance. 


Tei is family-oriented. She enjoys reading political autobiographies and volunteering in her community.

Get tickets!

Shantel Williams-Rivers

Shantel Williams-Rivers

To be a seed grounded in self, rooted in community means knowing who you are and letting others love you through your growth. It’s remembering you don’t have to do it all alone.


Shantel is a Life Coach, Author, Certified Minister, and Safe Space Curator who creates healing spaces rooted in truth, connection, and care—especially for neurodivergent Black women. As the founder of Dropping Gems, both a talk show and a growing online platform, she brings people together for raw, honest conversations around healing, relationships, and self-worth.


With lived experience and spiritual grounding at the core of her work, Shantel blends compassion, accountability, and community care to help others feel seen, supported, and never alone. Whether she’s coaching one-on-one or leading group discussions, her mission is clear: to help people unlearn survival mode and embrace joy, softness, and belonging.

Get tickets!

Tecca Thompson

Tecca Thompson

To be a seed grounded in self, rooted in community, means to honor your natural cycles, to know when to pause, when to soften, and when to bloom. It means choosing rest as a sacred act that refuels not only you but the entire ecosystem around you. Seeds do not bloom by force. They follow a divine pattern of contraction, stillness, rest, then expansion. When we honor that rhythm in ourselves, we strengthen the roots of community. Rest becomes the quiet power that nourishes collective healing, connection, and transformation.


Tecca Thompson, also known as The Rested Black Woman, is a somatic practitioner, breathwork facilitator, and the founder of Sacred Healing Spaces. She creates spaces where Black women can soften, exhale, and return to themselves. Through rest, breath, story, and ritual, she guides individuals and communities into deeper connection with their bodies and their truth. Her work blends somatic practice with cultural care, helping people interrupt patterns of urgency and reclaim rest as a source of power. Tecca is known for her gentle, grounded presence and her ability to hold space for healing in both personal and collective settings. Her workshops and teachings support nervous system repair, embodied leadership, and the soft strength it takes to live a liberated life.

Get tickets!

Stephanie Finoti

Stephanie Finoti

To be a seed grounded in self, rooted in community, means to honor where you come from, carry the strength of your story, and use it to grow not just for yourself, but to break barriers, uplift others, and plant lasting change for the generations that follow.


Stephanie Finoti is a former Miss Ohio 2024 and a Biomedical Scientist committed to advancing equity in healthcare and education. As the founder of "That STEM Girl initiative", she empowers underrepresented youth to lead in medicine and STEM through mentorship, access, and advocacy. A first-generation Brazilian-American and former CREATES-HS scholar at The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, an initiative focused on creating opportunities for marginalized communities in Columbus, 


Stephanie’s journey has taken her from a redlined neighborhood into rooms with medical leaders shaping the future of healthcare. With years of clinical and research experience, she uses her voice to champion representation, dismantle systemic barriers, and plant the seeds for lasting change.

Get tickets!

TEDx KLB Conversations:

Topics You Need to Hear

Get a front-row seat to intimate conversations between thought leaders from the TEDxKLB stage about important topics that impact our community. 

Announcement coming soon!

Get tickets!