Many of us have heard of TED Talks, but what is TED X? Something special, something completely different, something truly relevant to Detroit; the X is a multiplier, a symbol for the ‘doers’ in today’s world. 100 people were invited to attend this years’ TED X Detroit, two of which were Challenge Detroit Fellows. Jason Zogg and I, Bryce Gamper, had the chance to attend after submitting our applications and being accepted for the event. The concept of “ideas worth spreading” is the backbone of the TED platform, and during our day we learned about the many great ideas being shared to better Detroit.

Collaboration was one of the greatest forces driving the event last week, the juxtaposition of thinkers from all different backgrounds, experiences, and professions made TED X a truly all inclusive event reaching to many different members of the community. The partnerships were elaborate; all the way down to the food we ate – local eats and drinks from places like Garden Fresh, Just Baked, Faygo, Anthology Coffee and more.

As my first TED experience, I wasn’t sure what to expect out of the beginning three sessions, but what I came across was inspiring. The best thing about the line of speakers was the range of topics, a reminder that we should constantly be drawing inspiration and knowledge from all around us, not just from within our field. Hearing movers and shakers from all over speak about their thoughts and actions is what made the event: Tom Nardone spoke about the Mower Gang and its impact on communities in Detroit, Andy Didorosi told his story about perseverance and stumbling into the role of entrepreneur while he brought the Detroit Bus Company to life. Neil Greenberg told us details of his dream for the Freshwater Railway – a hypothetical but detailed multimodal-mass-transit-solution. Creatives like Noah Kaplan from Leon Speakers spoke about their creative vision and it’s impact on their businesses. Lawrence Tech’s professor, Peter Beaugard, spoke of the new DetroitSHOP collaborative studio run by LTU for students of different disciplines to come together in Detroit to create new initiatives in the city.  The undertone of TED X though was a reminder of the importance of collaboration to make true progress and change happen.

In a later session, Nawal Motawi gave what was, to me personally, the most impressionable presentation of the day. Speaking of her path that lead to the creation of Motawi Tile Works, Nawal shared her notes from her 7^th grade art class notebook – still relevant today. The principles of design from her art class years ago carried through in her vision, her work, and her life. Design is life, she reminded the crowd – there must be balance, harmony, contrast, and scale – all portions of a well-rounded life and the true source of happiness. This is one of the easiest things to lose sight of as an entrepreneur and a ‘doer’ – the balance it takes to live a fulfilled life.

In a change of tradition, after lunch the fourth TED session was taken offsite to the Grand Army of The Republic building (GAR). Mindfield, a creative production company started and headquartered in Detroit is in the process of renovating the building for an anticipated Fall 2013 opening. Mindfield directs, shoots and edits film in 2D and 3D to put it all in motion, and creates high-tech engaging, interactive experiences. Mindfield and the symbiotic companies they intend to attract to the GAR will bring a special brand of high-tech forward-thinking vibrancy to the western downtown area along Grand River, and is expected to become one of the new catalysts for the redevelopment of that area of downtown. Because the summer construction work had focused on the exterior and windows, we explored an extremely raw interior space largely as it had been found after decades of vacancy.

We explored the history of Detroit and the United States that led to the construction of the GAR in service of Civil War veterans through a TED talk by Amy Elliott Bragg from The Night Train and Detroit Drunken Historical Society. She explained that Detroit has struggled with the balance between preserving our heritage as a reminder of where we came from, and embracing progress by deliberately defining our future and pushing away the constraints of the past. Sean Emery of Mindfield gave a TED talk on why the spirit of Detroit is embodied in the building, and why looking back to go forward is relevant today, reminding us of the City’s motto: “Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus” (Latin: We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes). The two talks given at the GAR are highly relevant to Challenge Detroit’s role in the transformation of the City- as Detroit is in many ways rising from the ashes, the dialogue continues to evolve balancing honoring or learning from its history, and also embracing change to move boldly forward.

TED X Detroit ended by opening its doors and allowing all to join in for the après X after party, bringing more of the community into the conversation. The greatest point of view I gained from the idea of TED X is that the X stands as a commitment: a pact by all those who attend to not only share their ideas but to act on them, to go out and enact change, and to empower others to do the same. Ideas are not only worth spreading, they are worth doing. I am the X, Challenge Detroit is the X, we all are the X and we are committed to moving Detroit forward through powerful and thoughtful ideas and actions.

Contributed by Fellows Bryce Gamper & Jason Zogg