Commitment to Community: Ellen Ruiters at TEDxGustavusAdolphusCollege

Ellen is the founder of Africa Jam, an established non-profit in both South Africa and the United States. Africa Jam's mission is to provide hope, unity and community in the lives of youth regardless of race, culture or socio economic status. Africa Jam started in the year 2000 with 30 students in one high school and over the course of 10 years grew to a network of 50 schools, serving directly and indirectly more than 13,000 students. As the director, Ellen trained local leaders, developed fundraising initiatives and built local and international partnerships.

In her talk, Ellen emphasizes the power of listening and solidarity.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)