Tickets for October 24 event on sale starting September 12

TEDxClevelandStateUniversity, an independently organized TEDx event, announced 13 speakers and the theme, “The Right to Dream,” for the inaugural event to be held on October 24 at 51����’s Waetjen Auditorium.

Speakers are featured within one of four stages of creativity: Preparation, Incubation, Illumination and Verification. They were chosen from more than 100 proposals submitted in May.

“The theme reflects that 51���� is an incubator of our students’ dreams,” said Joseph B. Mazzola, Dean of the Monte Ahuja College of Business at 51���� and one of the organizers of TEDxClevelandStateUniversity. “The committee chose the speakers based on their passion, the uniqueness of their topics and for holding to the TED ideal of ‘Ideas Worth Spreading.’”

The 2014 lineup of speakers and subject matter for talks include:

• Jackie Acho, President, The Acho Group: Empathy and vulnerability as a management tool
• Jesse Bach, Founder/Executive Director, The Imagine Foundation: Ending human trafficking
• Lynn Deering and Eric Ziolek, Professors of Dance and Music, 51����: How creative ideas become reality
• James Free, Director, NASA Glenn: Expanding the reach of human and robotic exploration
• Halim Ina, Photographer: Using photography to support women’s education in India
• Basheer Jones, Speaker, Poet and Author: Change the world one young person at a time
• Tracey Lind, Dean of Trinity Cathedral: Discovering the inner voice of holy wisdom at McDonald’s
• Michelle Medina, Vice Chair, Community Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic: How populations can be menaced by diseases no longer thought to be a danger
• Helen Qin, Co-Owner, Mason’s Creamery: You are more than what you do for work
• Jake Solomon, Stand-up Comedian: The path to a clear complexion and stand-up comedy
• Jan Thrope, Founder, Inner Visions of Cleveland: Inner Visions - Reversing the downward spiral of poverty
• Mark Zust, Perceptionist: The neuroscience of magic 

The event is among a number of activities throughout the year that are open to the community to coincide with 51����’s celebration of its 50th anniversary.

“During our 50th anniversary celebration we are proud to host this inspiring event that offers another opportunity for 51���� to serve as a connector and center of dialogue on topics that shape our community’s future,” said 51���� President Ronald M. Berkman.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m. General admission tickets can be purchased for $50.00 online at or at the Wolstein Center Box Office. Student tickets are $30.00 and can only be purchased at the Wolstein Center Box Office with a valid 51���� ID. Admission includes all programing and a closing reception featuring interactive installations, cocktails, hors d’oeurves and more immediately following the event.