More critically, several of our speakers could not present even on the postponed date. They were quarantined, or street closures prevented their joinder, or the color of their skin made it unsafe for them to travel. We could not allow these black and brown voices to mute.
So, we pivoted again, this time, taking the TEDxWrigleyville set to our speakers. Our crew filmed in Bronzeville at the site of Shelly’s Loan & Jewelry Store, which was made famous as the fictional Ray’s Music Exchange from the Blues Brothers movie. Sadly, the store has been reduced to rubble by the recent vandalism carried out by external actors who took advantage of the peaceful protests. We also filmed at Healthy Hood, a Latinx community activism site in Pilsen where massive black and brown unity protests took place.
We could only do this because of the tireless efforts of the remarkable TEDxWrigleyville curators and crew. Our team worked early mornings, nights and weekends, in between homeschooling their kids and working full time jobs to bring this event together for you. I can’t tell you how many times this entirely volunteer team of idea warriors sent out emails at 3:45 a.m. or took calls while bathing babies. None of this would be possible without them.
Now, the ball is in your court to register to view this remarkable, one of a kind event.
You’ll see different sets, and you’ll hear construction crews, police choppers and the famous elevated “L” train in the background.
You’ll meet us up north at an empty Wrigley Field and travel with us down to Chicago’s South Side.
You’ll listen to impactful talks, watch remarkable performances, and feel the unity among our unshakable speakers and resilient Chicago.
Tuning in will be your promise; a vow that Wrigley won’t be barren for long, that we will rebuild the crumbled shops of Bronzeville, that the Pilsen community will not stay quiet; and that there is always an appetite for new ideas worth sharing.
RSVP TODAY and join us on June 28th for the date of TEDx talks and performances that refused to quit.
Ms. Illinois Marisa Buchheit
Dr. Ben Levy, Health Care Education Organizer
TEDxWrigleyville in Bronzeville