Making Assumptions: Laila Al-Shamma at TEDxEncinitas

Laila Al-Shamma is a senior at La Costa Canyon High School in San Diego, California. Born and raised in Encinitas, she finds joy in academics, choral singing, marching band, feminism and activism among other things. Throughout high school she has participated in her school's Gay Straight Alliance, an activist club that helps support LGBTQ teens and works to promote acceptance in the community. Under her leadership, the GSA has expanded tremendously, started new school wide campaigns, and made a significant change in the campus climate for LGBTQ students. After graduation, she intends to study music and social sciences at Stanford University. She will continue to be an activist in college and beyond.

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)