TEDxFSCJ Adventure: Community Justice: From Trauma to Connection

Equal justice is the work of all of us.

This past summer, protests over police misconduct and racial injustice touched communities across the nation. In Jacksonville, a Confederate monument was taken down and a city park renamed, and in Washington, DC, the words “Black Lives Matter” were painted in large yellow letters along a two-block section of 16th Street. But in the months since, what concrete steps have been taken to reform our criminal justice system? And what wider institutions and practices must we understand if we are to make lasting change?

Join TEDxFSCJ for Community Justice: From Trauma to Connection, a virtual event that will explore the criminal justice system with a focus on youth and communities of color. 

Hosted by Kimberly Hall, Professor of Criminal Justice at FSCJ, and Alyssa Beck, a Survivor Mentor at the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center in Jacksonville, our panel will discuss how the trauma of racism is intergenerational; the impact of public perceptions and individual bias on adolescents, especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; and the best ideas, existing resources, and underappreciated alternatives for achieving true and equal justice for all. 

Our speakers include: 

• Tiana Davis, Policy Director for Equity and Justice, Center for Children’s Law and Policy in Washington, DC

• Jacquelyn Green, Community Development Administrator, Florida Department of Children and Families

• Kelly Roy Kemp, Deputy, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office

• Selena Webster-Bass, CEO, Voices Institute in Jacksonville

This virtual event is free and open to the public, but all attendees must register. 

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The event will be held February 11, 7-9 p.m. EST. Online check-in begins at 6:50 p.m. EST.

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Tiana Davis

Tiana Davis, M.S.W., is the Policy Director for Equity and Justice at the Center for Children’s Law and Policy (CCLP). In this capacity, Davis works with national, state and local leaders to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in the youth justice system. With more than 17 years of experience in the fields of juvenile justice and public policy, Tiana was Director of Community Programming for the Baltimore (MD) Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, after serving as the Coordinator for a local racial equity initiative in Baltimore County. She earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Jacquelyn Green

Jacquelyn Green is Community Development Administrator for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).  Her experience encompasses healing-centered community engagement public and private agency policy and crisis management, media relations, and healthcare. Prior to joining DCF in 2007 she was Media Relations Officer for the City of Jacksonville and editor of the local, state and national award-winning Neighborhoods Magazine.  Her career highlights include the development and direction of the statewide crisis management and public safety policy for the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice in Richmond, VA and being an editorial clerk at The Wall Street Journal, Houston Bureau.

Kelly Roy Kemp

Deputy Kelly Roy Kemp has served in law enforcement for the last 29 years. Deputy Kemp has worked with the youth of St. Johns County as a School Youth Resource Deputy and as the Juvenile Civil Citation Coordinator.  He is also an Ordained Minister and serves as a Sheriff’s Office Chaplain. In addition to public service, Kemp enjoys spending time with his family and serving the Lord and our community.

Taina Angeli Vargas

Taina Angeli Vargas co-founded Initiate Justice, located in Los Angeles, California in September 2016 with the intention of activating the political power of people directly impacted by mass incarceration. Prior to creating Initiate Justice, she worked in the organizing and policy advocacy field as the Statewide Advocacy Coordinator with Essie Justice Group, State Campaigner with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, and as a Field Representative for the California State Assembly. She is directly impacted by mass incarceration, with a loved one having served seven years in CA state prison.

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Hosts

ALyssa Beck

Alyssa Beck is a survivor and victim advocate who uses her past experiences (“CBS 48 hours: Live to Tell: Trafficked”) as a means to raise awareness of human trafficking while challenging public misconceptions. Previously an Advocacy Specialist at the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center with the Open Doors Outreach Network, Allyssa now serves as a Survivor Mentor and consults with and advises civic leaders in anti-human trafficking, experts in girl-centered relations and legislators to develop laws and practices that support survivors of sex trafficking and youth involved in the justice system. In addition to her work with The Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, Alyssa is a member of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Juvenile Justice Youth Advisory Council and was recently appointed a position within Florida's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention State Advisory Group. She has been awarded as one of the Department of Juvenile Justice Youth Ambassadors for the state of Florida and Superhero for Superkids Young Advocate award.

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Kimberly Hall

Kimberly is a professor of criminal justice at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) and advisor of Theta Sigma Chi, the FSCJ chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha Epsilon.  Kimberly was a doctoral research fellow at the University of Maryland, where she studied criminology and was sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security to work on the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START).  Kimberly earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama where she studied criminal justice and psychology.  Kimberly is passionate about helping students succeed and is dedicated to working with criminal justice professionals and individuals to enhance student learning and improve the Jacksonville community.

TEDxFSCJ Adventure: Not the Enemy

Our differences matter—and the time to unite is now.

United we stand. E pluribus unum. From many, one. These affirmations of unity and difference are fundamental to any vibrant democracy. But in 2020, racial animus and discrimination have been reawakened. Across the U.S., COVID-19 has become a pretext for anti-Asian sentiment, while police killings of African Americans have sparked nationwide protests, bringing renewed urgency to the Black Lives Matter movement. At this critical juncture, how can we unite for the common good while affirming the value of our differences?

Join TEDxFSCJ for Not the Enemy, an adventure event featuring artists, activists, and academics from across the country who have dedicated their lives to exploring the rich diversity of racial identity. Our speakers will address how racism is and remains a defining element of contemporary America, but they will also place this issue in a wider context and conversation about the ambiguities of racial categories and the importance of multiple cultural traditions.

 Hosted by visual artist and FSCJ student, Maiya Elaine, and Dr. Paul Hendrickson, FSCJ Professor of Communication and Philosophy, our speakers will include:

 Speakers include:

• GeeXella, rapper, DJ, and program coordinator at JASMYN, a Jacksonville LGBTQI+ youth center

• Malcolm Jackson, artist and photographer based in Jacksonville

• Dr. Russell Jeung, Chair and Professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University

• Diana King, Chinese-American photographer currently based in Nashville

• Christina Kittle, activist and cofounder, Jacksonville Community Action Committee

• Elena Øhlander, visual artist working in mixed media illustration and mural-making, based in Jacksonville

This virtual event is free and open to the public, but all attendees must register.

 Check in early so you can join the pre-event viewing experience, which will feature video shorts by videographer Marc Mangra, including a newly created piece highlighting the Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery in Jacksonville.

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This event will be held September 24, 7-9 p.m. Online check-in and pre-event will begin at 6:30 p.m.

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GeeXella

GeeXella (they/them) is a singer, rapper, DJ and community organizer. Their passion for music served as the catalyst to create and organize DuvalFolx—the only intentional dance party/space for marginalized communities in Northeast Florida. Catering to LGBTQI+ youths isn’t exclusive to events but also carries over into their daily work as the Program Coordinator at JASMYN (LGBTQI+ youth center). 

Malcolm Jackson

Malcolm Jackson is an award-winning artist and photographer currently based in Jacksonville, Florida. Malcolm uses photography as a bridge to connect the viewer to the realities of life for the common person in the 21st century. Using street photography to focus on race, class, identity and community, his photos have been commissioned by The New York Times and ESPN. The 2018 recipient of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville Visual Artist of the Year, Malcolm’s work can be seen at malcjax.com

Russell Jeung

Dr. Russell Jeung is chair and professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University as well as the author of several books and articles on race and religion, including Family Sacrifices: The Worldviews and Ethics of Chinese Americans  and Moving Movers: Student Activism and the Emergence of Asian American Studies. In 2020, Dr. Jeung launched Stop AAPI Hate, a project of Chinese for Affirmative Action, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council and the SF State Asian American Studies that tracks Covid-19 related discrimination in order to develop community resources and policy interventions to fight racism.

Christina Kittle

Christina Kittle is a community organizer, activist, public school teacher and artist. After Christina and four other activists, who would later become known as the Jax5, were beaten and unlawfully arrested while protesting in 2017, Christina co-founded the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC), a grassroots organization fighting for police accountability and self-determination in the Black Belt South. Since its foundation, JCAC launched the Jacksonville Police Accountability Council, organizes some of the largest civil rights demonstrations in Jacksonville’s history and works with and provides legal aid for families who have been the victims of police crime. At present, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee is pushing for the repeal of Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 112.532, the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights, a Jim Crow remnant that gives police extra due process protections.

Diana King

Diana King is a Chinese-American portrait, lifestyle, fashion and commercial photographer. She is known for her ability to draw an emotive and expressive quality in her subjects and uses color and lighting to reflect the mood and tone of her images. Originally from the Bay Area, California, King moved to Los Angeles to study film and cinematography at Chapman University. After years of working on big-budget commercial shoots, she transitioned to photography and used her background in film production to hone her skills as a photographer.  King’s diverse portfolio includes work with many well-known brands such as Samsung and H&M. She is currently on the American Photographic Artists Diversity Committee to help create change in the photography community.

Elena Øhlander

Elena Øhlander is a visual artist working in the medium of mixed media illustration and mural-making. Currently residing in Jacksonville, she earned her B.F.A. in photography from The Art Institute in 2014 and began exhibiting her work at national galleries and museums. Influenced by Taiyo Matsumoto, Hayao Miyazaki, Yayoi Kusama and Yoshitomo Nara, Elena focuses on illustration that explores identity, gender issues, space, individuality and pop culture. The protagonist of Elena’s work takes viewers on a journey into her imagination through gesture, expression and environment to reveal the many facets of her inner life with the hope of inspiring the viewer to breakdown stereotypes and to look beyond the boundaries of culture and identity.

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Hosts

Maiya Elaine

Maiya Elaine is a classically trained visual artist, technical theatre major and graduate from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Currently enrolled in Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Bachelor’s Digital Media program, she utilizes the various tools and techniques in scenic painting and prop making in her work today. Her first solo show, “Breach,” explored themes and techniques for a new series in her studio at CoRK Art Studios where she combines her background in traditional techniques with digital in hopes to inspire others through the power of artistic expression. She is also the cultural correspondent for First Coast Living’s monthly segment, “The Artist’s Corner with Maiya Elaine,” where she discusses arts and cultural events happening in Northeast Florida.

Paul Hendrickson

Dr. Paul Hendrickson is the organizer of TEDxFSCJ and Pro­fessor of Speech Communication and Philosophy at Florida State College at Jacksonville. A student of political dis­course and global human rights, Paul was a doctoral fellow at the Frankfurt School in Germany and his publications include a book translation published in the MIT Press series on Contemporary German Social Thought. He holds a B.A. in philoso­phy from the University of Chicago, an M.A. in com­munication arts from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Illinois, Urba­na-Champaign. An avid jazz collector, Paul’s favorite TED talks include Chimamanda Adichie’s “The danger of a single story” and Ron Finley’s “A guerilla gardener in South Central LA.”

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TEDxFSCJ Adventure: Vanishing Worlds

Our oceans are home to more than a million species.

For the people of our region, the ocean is especially meaningful. For some, it’s a way of life; for others, it’s a day at the beach; but for all of us, the ocean connects us and our communities—from the Caribbean archipelagos to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida.  Yet human activity threatens the long-term survival of this vast ecosystem, forcing us to ask: What can we do to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our ocean waters?

Join TEDxFSCJ for Vanishing Worlds, an adventure event exploring the underwater-themed paintings of Edmari Hernandez Silen. Hernandez’s exhibit, A/Hogar, is currently on display at the FSCJ Deerwood Center and serves as impetus and inspiration for our conversation.  Over the course of the evening, our panel of experts will address how the ocean connects us to a wider set of meanings and memories and how both art and science can inspire us to understand, appreciate, and better protect our ocean habitats. 

Hosted by FSCJ student and artist, Maiya Elaine, and FSCJ Professor of Biology, Dr. Chris Perle, our panel will include:

 Speakers include:

• Edmari Hernandez Silen, featured artist, MFA in Studio Art, University of South Carolina

• Dr. Bill Dally, UNF Professor of Civil and Coastal Engineering

• Dustin Harewood, FSCJ Professor of Art

• Dr. Maia McGuire, University of Florida Sea Grant extension agent

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We will conclude the evening by joining Hernandez for a guided tour of her A/Hogar exhibit.

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Edmari Hernandez Silen

While originally born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Edmari Hernandez Silen grew up travelling. Raised in a military family, she travelled to various places including Germany, Italy, Alaska and Florida and discovered at an early age that art was a universal representation of subjects that could be understood across languages and culture. Hernandez earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Florida and recently completed her Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of South Carolina in Studio Art. Now back in Florida, Hernandez continues to create work that explores her personal connection with the ocean and the changes occurring within the environment between Puerto Rico to Florida.

William Dally

Dr. Bill Dally has been a practicing coastal engineer for nearly 38 years.  He received his Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from the University of Florida and specializes in coastal processes and engineering. In addition to working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers early in his career, he was a member of the faculty at the Florida Institute of Technology for 11 years before starting his own company, Surfbreak Engineering Sciences, Inc. Dr. Dally returned to academia in 2013 as an Associate Professor of Civil and Coastal Engineering at the University of North Florida and continues his research on innovative beach protection technologies. 

Dustin Harewood

Born in New York City in the 1980s, Dustin Harewood developed his passion for the arts at a young age. Recognizing and nurturing his artistic energy, Dustin’s parents encouraged him to become a junior member of the Brooklyn Museum at just 7 years old. During high school, Dustin’s family returned to Barbados. Upon graduation, Dustin returned to the U.S. to continue his education receiving his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University and his Master of Fine Arts at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Maia McGuire

Maia McGuire grew up on the islands of Bermuda where she developed an interest in marine biology at an early age. She received a B.S. in marine biology from Florida Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in marine biology from the University of Miami. In 2001, she joined the Florida Sea Grant Extension Program at the University of Florida where she conducts informal education programs on topics including marine debris, climate change and invasive species. In 2015, McGuire was awarded a NOAA Marine Debris Outreach and Education grant to start the Florida Microplastic Awareness Project with the goal of raising awareness about the sources of and threats posed by microplastics in the coastal environment.

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Hosts

Maiya Elaine

Maiya Elaine is a classically trained visual artist, technical theatre major and graduate from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Currently enrolled in Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Bachelor’s Digital Media program, she utilizes the various tools and techniques in scenic painting and prop making in her work today. Her first solo show, “Breach,” explored themes and techniques for a new series in her studio at CoRK Art Studios where she combines her background in traditional techniques with digital in hopes to inspire others through the power of artistic expression. She is also the cultural correspondent for First Coast Living’s monthly segment, “The Artist’s Corner with Maiya Elaine,” where she discusses arts and cultural events happening in Northeast Florida.

Christopher Perle

Dr. Christopher Perle is a Professor of Biology at Florida State College of Jacksonville and teaches courses in Biology, Marine Biology, Oceanography and Hydroponics & Aquaculture.  In addition, Dr. Perle maintains an external consultancy focused on providing scientific research expertise regarding the habitat utilization of large aquatic predators. Dr. Perle’s doctoral research at Stanford University included ecological examinations of white sharks, pacific bluefin tuna and manta rays spanning habitats from the equator to Prince William Sound, Alaska.

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TEDxFSCJ Adventure: Unmasked

Comics, cosplay, and conventions have become defining icons of today’s popular culture.

Join TEDxFSCJ for Unmasked, an adventure event exploring the themes, identities, and fandoms that define nerd culture. 

Hosted by The Short Box podcast’s Badr Milligan and Cesar Cordero, we will look behind the mask in discussing how this culture functions at once as lifestyle and marketplace; how comic books and TV intersect; how comic culture empowers minority storytelling; and how comic-cons and e-sports have reinvented community and belonging.

 Speakers include:

•  Li Hoang, e-sports photographer

• Zack Kaplan, comic book writer & Jacksonville native working in Los Angeles

• Max Michaels, co-producer of Ancient City Con and Jekyll Comic Con

• Ann Marie Scarpinito, cosplayer

• Ryan Paul Thompson, founder of GAAM (Games Art And Music)

Arrive early so you can tour our interactive pre-event exhibits. Hosted by FSCJ Guild of Geeks, our pre-event experience will feature a behind-the-scenes look at GAAM Founder Ryan Thompson’s livestreams, interviews with The Short Box podcasters, and a digital media journey through cosplay spaces and places.

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Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m.; our event will start promptly at 7 p.m.

Seats that go unclaimed by 6:50 p.m. may be released to individuals on our waiting list.

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Speakers

Li Hoang (@HelloItsLi)

Li Hoang is an internationally published model, senior director of esports for GAAM (Games, Art and Music) and a photographer renowned for her portraits. Currently residing in Jacksonville, Florida, Li is a self-taught visual artist specializing in capturing natural moments in time.

Zack Kaplan

In three short years, Zack Kaplan has emerged as a breakout voice in comics as the creator of three sci-fi series. These series, ECLIPSE and PORT OF EARTH from Image Comics and Top Cow and the LOST CITY OF EXPLORERS from Aftershock Comics, are currently in TV development with Robert Kirkman’s Skybound Entertainment, Amazon Studios and Universal TV. Zack received his master’s degree in film and TV writing from the prestigious USC film school and taught screenwriting at the International Academy of Film and TV in the Philippines.

Max Michaels

Max Michaels, co-producer of Ancient City Con and Jekyll Comic Con and Jacksonville native, began his journey in 1992 when he first published MOVEMENT magazine. What began as an independent magazine focusing on the music and arts scene has grown into an international publication. Over the years, Michaels has expanded his portfolio beyond magazine publishing into gallery exhibitions of his rock and multimedia photography, club & nightlife promotions, music and talent management and film production.

Ann Marie Scarpinito

Ann Marie (Ms. Valentine) has poured her heart and soul into cosplay for almost 20 years with characters including Jill Valentine, Nathan Drake and Cortana.  The recipient of numerous awards such as “Most Cutting Edge,” “Best Individual,” “Best Craftsmanship,” and “Best Journeyman,” Ann Marie has made a name for herself creating panels for various fandoms, providing leadership to guide the course of cosplay contests at events such as GAAM and CEOtaku and supporting her favorite esports players and streamers.

Ryan Paul Thompson (@GAAMRyan)

Ryan Paul Thompson, GAAM Founder and video game lover, has worked with a team of wonderful people and with companies such as Nintendo, Sony Santa Monica, Volition, Iron Galaxy, Capcom, Microsoft, Naughty Dog and many others. Together they have created multiple events to promote gaming, the arts and “Do Good” culture with the GAAM Show, GAAM Gladiators (an esports event), Retro GAAM Nights, art and cosplay exhibits, The Nerd Market, GAAM Live (a livestream show about gaming culture) and more. He also enjoys working out, drinking, and loves his yorkie, Tobago.

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Hosts

Cesar Cordero

Cesar Cordero is a published broadcast journalist, podcaster, comedian, musician, graphic artist and has proudly served in the military for over 9 years. Since 2012, he has co-hosted the award-winning "The Short box" podcast. Along the way, he has managed to interview some of the most fascinating people in Jacksonville. In 2018, Cesar channeled his love of broadcasting in forming “Jax Podcasters Unite!," the official podcaster hub of the First Coast. Cesar knows it's the Bold City that made him and responsibly uses the power of laughter to uplift and engage the community.

Badr Milligan

Badr Milligan is a project manager by day and a podcast enthusiast by night. Since 2012, Badr has combined his passion for comic-books & pop culture with his natural fascination with technology to co-create and host the award-winning podcast, “The Short Box.” He has claimed the 904 as home since the age of five after immigrating to Jacksonville from Morocco. Badr is an FSCJ alumnus and veteran of the Florida Air National Guard, using both experiences to currently run his own small business, The Short Box Entertainment company. In 2018, he helped form the “Jax Podcasters Unite!” group, a fast-growing collective of podcasters and broadcasters who meet quarterly to discuss the podcast industry and encourage collaborative solutions.

TEDxFSCJ Adventure: Access to Healthcare

Access to quality healthcare shouldn’t be a luxury. However, in the U.S. the wealth-health gap is increasing––forcing many to choose between medications and food. Despite having the highest per capita health expenditures of all developed nations, the U.S. has slipped to the lowest rankings in health outcomes and equity.

Join TEDxFSCJ as we explore what these trends mean for our local community. Our expert panelists will discuss healthcare access challenges across the First Coast, the work being done to address healthcare inequity, and local healthcare resources for those in need. 

 Speakers include:

• Terrie Andrews, Ph.D., Behavioral Health System Administrator, Baptist Health

• Carol Jenkins Neil, Ph.D., Professor of Nursing, FSCJ, and President, First Coast Black Nurses Association

• Melanie Patz, Vice President of Community Investment and Impact, Baptist Health

• Mobeen Rathore, M.D., Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville

• Shannon Shea, M.D., M.P.H., Pediatrician, Agape Community Health Center

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The adventure will be held Thursday, November 7,
6-8:30 p.m. at FSCJ Deerwood Center.

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Speakers

Terrie Andrews

Terrie W. Andrews, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with a background in business operations and development. A Florida State University graduate, Dr. Andrews began her career at Baptist Health as an outpatient psychologist specializing in psychological testing and psychotherapy services for children and adults. In 2015, Dr. Andrews became the Director of Outpatient Services for Behavioral Health. She held that role until accepting her current job as Baptist’s System Administrator for Behavioral Health––a position where she is directly responsible for all health functions in Northeast Florida’s largest healthcare system.

Carol Jenkins Neil

Carol Jenkins Neil, Ph.D., RN, is president of the First Coast Black Nurses Association and a professor of nursing at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). Under her leadership, FSCJ hosted its first Health Disparities Summit. Dr. Neil has served in various leadership roles including: co-leader of the Diversity Council for the Florida Action Coalition, founder of Friends of Adult Day Services, former CEO of Hope Adult Day Services, and nominations committee member of the National League of Nursing. Dr. Neil is also the recipient of numerous accolades such as the President’s award at FSCJ and the Great 100 Nurses award.

Melanie Patz

Melanie Patz’s career is rooted in community development. Her past work with the United Way, the Hubbard House, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals is now followed by her community outreach as Baptist Health’s Vice President of Community Investment and Impact. In this role, Ms. Patz directs the development of the Community Health Needs Assessment in collaboration with Brooks Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic Florida, St. Vincent’s Health System, and UF Health Jacksonville. Additionally, Ms. Patz addresses each of Baptist Health’s hospitals’ needs and works with Baptist Health’s Social Responsibility Board Committee to improve wellness throughout Northeast Florida.

Mobeen Rathore

Through his extensive humanitarian outreach and medical expertise, Mobeen Rathore, M.D. has served our local community for over 25 years. Currently, Dr. Rathore is a professor and associate chair of Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville, Division Chief for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, and Director of the UF Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education, and Service (UF CARES). Additionally, Dr. Rathore co-founded MASS (Muslim American Social Services), Inc., one of the largest free clinics in the area. He is also an active member of community organizations such as Leadership Jacksonville, the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida, and OneJax.

Shannon Shea

Jacksonville native, Shannon Shea, M.D., earned her medical degree and master’s degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She then completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco as part of the Pediatrics Leadership for the Underserved (PLUS) program. After residency, Dr. Shea spent five years with the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative’s Global Health Corps in Mwanza, Tanzania, caring for infants, children, and adolescents exposed to and infected with HIV. She returned to Jacksonville in 2017 and joined Agape Community Health Center and Jacksonville Pediatric Associates.

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Hosts

Joan Boyd

Joan Boyd, RN, MSN, MBA/HCA, is the Interim Associate Dean of Nursing at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). While at FSCJ, Ms. Boyd has been a full-time nursing professor, adviser to the future healthcare student association, and a member of several department and college-wide committees––including the curriculum and service leaning committee and the continuing contract committee. Prior to joining FSCJ, Ms. Boyd combined both her experience and education to serve the medical field in diverse capacities and across various medical specialties. An RN since 1992, Ms. Boyd has also been a nursing manager, a house nursing supervisor, and she has worked in ICU, NICU, and oncology units.

Larissa Mayer

After graduating with honors from the Nursing Associate in Science program at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), Ms. Larissa Mayer matriculated into FSCJ’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Outside of her studies, Ms. Mayer serves as a talent grant awardee for TEDxFSCJ and as a laboratory assistant for FSCJ’s Deerwood Center teaching labs. Ms. Mayer also mentors future nursing students, is an active member of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA), volunteers with her son’s baseball team, and has volunteered for the OHSA competition––a high health competition for students interested in pursuing health fields after high school. She is also a member of TRIO, a club for health programs at FSCJ.

TEDxFSCJ Adventure: Safe to Drink?

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – Kent Campus, D120, from 6 - 8 p.m.

How much do you know about the water you drink? The water crisis in Flint, Michigan has prompted widespread concern about the quality of local water sources, including right here in Northeast Florida. But distinguishing fact from fiction, and determining the true levels of risk to public health, is often difficult for the ordinary consumer.

Join TEDxFSCJ for an adventure exploring the current safety and future health of Jacksonville’s drinking water. The evening will feature several local experts, including JEA Laboratory Compliance Director Kevin Holbrooks, environmental chemist Lisa Saupp, and UNF environmental history professor Charles Closmann. Moderated by award-winning Jacksonville writer Lisa Grubba, our speakers will address what chemical levels are safe for drinking water, whether Jacksonville’s infrastructure is at risk for Flint-like contamination, and what causes First Coast sprinkler water to emit that off-putting odor.

Speakers

CHARLES CLOSMANN

Dr. Charles Closmann is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of History at the University of North Florida. Closmann specializes in the histories of Germany, Europe and the environment. In 2010, he was awarded a grant from UNF’s Environmental Center to develop an oral history-based course on the St. Johns River.  Closmann’s students interviewed over twenty environmentalists, journalists, fishermen and artists, and the resulting oral histories are being archived in the UNF Library as part of a special collection on the St. Johns River. Closmann is the editor of War and the Environment: Military Destruction in the Modern Age (Texas A&M Press, 2009) and is currently writing a book on the environmental history of water in Hamburg, Germany.

LISA GRUBBA

Lisa Grubba is an award-winning freelance writer in Jacksonville.  She founded and edits the digital magazine, Florida Field Notes – Northeast Florida’s Outdoor Journal.  Grubba earned a bacchelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Central Florida and was a business analyst and portfolio manager.  She began magazine freelancing 22 years ago, first writing business articles and later branching out into feature, book review, essay, memoir and news reporting.  In 2006, she was faculty-nominated at UCF to the Associated Writers and Writing Programs Best Non-Fiction awards.  After obtaining a Florida Master Naturalist certification from the University of Florida, Grubba has focused on environmental and nature writing.  Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in journalism from Harvard University Extension School.

KEVIN HOLBROOKS

Kevin Holbrooks is Director of Laboratory Compliance at Jacksonville Electric Authority. With 25 years’ experience at JEA, Holbrooks leads a staff of 36 employees whose responsibilities include analyzing drinking water, wastewater and electric generating stack emissions. The laboratory performs approximately 210,000 analyses a year to ensure permit and regulatory compliance at 36 water plants, 11 wastewater facilities and 5 power plants.  Holbrooks graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Chemistry and is certified by OSHA as an Incident Commander and by the United States Coast Guard as qualified to respond to environmental incidents. He serves on numerous utility committees and boards, including the Florida Electric Coordinating Group and the Air and Waste Management Association.

LISA SAUPP

Lisa Saupp is an environmental chemist who has worked in the water and wastewater industry for more than 30 years.  Saupp is the Laboratory Director for Aqua Pure Water & Sewage Service, Inc., which tests water and wastewater systems for municipalities in Marion, Lake, Citrus, Gilchrist, Putnam and Volusia counties, providing compliance monitoring and reporting for their EPA and DEP requirements. She holds an MBA in Environmental Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University, a BS in Chemistry with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Florida, and a BA in Business Administration from St. Leo University.  Saupp has volunteered with various organizations, including the Florida Springs Institute, to promote community awareness about the Floridan Aquifer and springs.