TEDxBessies Creek
TEDxBessies Creek community

Our Story

Ideas Worth Spreading.
Rooted in Houston.

TEDxBessies Creek exists because this community has stories worth telling and ideas worth sharing - not just with each other, but with the world.

The Vision

TEDxBessies Creek is an independently organized event operated under license from TED. We exist to surface the ideas, stories, and perspectives that are already living in our community - and give them the platform they deserve.

"Be Human" isn't just a theme for 2026. It's our operating principle. We believe the best ideas emerge when people are brave enough to be honest, humble enough to listen, and committed enough to act.

We produce events that honor the TED standard - rigorous, original, idea-driven - while staying rooted in the specific soil of Houston. These aren't imported speakers filling a venue. They're real people with real ideas who have done real work.

What is TED?

TED is a global nonprofit dedicated to the power of ideas. Since 1984, TED has hosted some of the world's most inspired thinkers and doers, challenging them to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes or less. TED talks are watched by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

What is TEDx?

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDx events are community-driven, independently licensed, and held to the same content standards as TED itself. TEDxBessies Creek is one of thousands of TEDx events held around the world each year.

The Minds Behind the Creek

A small, committed team of volunteers, professionals, and community builders - working to put Houston on the global stage of ideas.

Organizer & TEDx Licensee

Frank Obiokoye

Frank is the licensed organizer of TEDxBessies Creek and the driving force behind bringing the TEDx platform to this community. His vision is simple: every community has ideas worth spreading. His job is to make sure the world hears them.

Executive Producer

Adeseye (Ade) Omole

Ade is a Houston-based entrepreneur, fractional CTO/CMO, and TEDx speaker coach with over 20 years in technology and business. As Executive Producer, he supports strategy, speaker development, production planning, and the overall experience of TEDxBessies Creek 2026.

Speaker Coach

LaSandra Collins

LaSandra works with selected speakers to transform their ideas into polished, compelling talks - from first draft to final delivery. She brings rigor and care to every coaching session.

Speaker Coach

LeKisha Earles

LeKisha guides speakers through the emotional and structural work of finding their authentic voice on stage. Her coaching approach is built on clarity, confidence, and connection.

Partnerships & Sponsorship

Jessica Gonzalez

Jessica leads the effort to connect TEDxBessies Creek with the organizations and brands that believe in the power of ideas. She builds relationships that make the event possible.

Marketing & Communications

[PLACEHOLDER - Marketing Lead]

To be updated once role is filled.

Small Room. Real Impact.

100

Maximum attendees - by design. Every seat in this room matters.

18

Maximum talk length, in minutes. Every idea must earn its time.

How long the talks live on YouTube - free, for anyone in the world.

Ready to Be in the Room?

Experience what happens when 100 people commit to one day of genuine human ideas. No distractions. No filler. Just the kind of thinking that changes how you see the world.