(Closed) TEDxHarlem - Applications Are Open! (Deadline Jan 18)
TEDxHarlem is accepting speaker applications for 2026, and this stage is very clear about what they value.
If your idea is connected to Harlem’s people, culture, history, future, or if you live or work in Harlem then this is a stage to take seriously.
(Thank you to a member of the Speaker Accelerator community Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson who shared this open application for the TEDxHarlem stage!)
What TEDxHarlem is really about
TEDxHarlem is seeking idea-driven talks rooted in Harlem’s spirit, creativity, and future.
As a reminder, no motivational speeches, personal success stories, product pitches, or biographies. This stage centers ideas worth spreading, grounded in insight, relevance, and cultural context.
Preference is given to speakers who:
Live in Harlem
Work in Harlem
Or whose idea has a meaningful, authentic connection to the Harlem community
What they’re asking you to submit
You’ll be asked to clearly articulate:
Your one-sentence idea
Why the idea matters right now and who benefits
What makes your perspective unique, surprising, or counterintuitive
The 1–2 takeaways the audience should leave with
How the idea connects to Harlem’s people, culture, history, or future
They also go deeper on credibility, asking for:
Relevant experience or work that informs your thinking (Not your full bio. Relevance matters.)
Evidence supporting your idea - Research, data, lived observation, or real-world results (Bullet points encouraged)
A note on the Harlem connection
Strong connections might look like:
Work that directly impacts Harlem communities
Research, creative work, or initiatives rooted in Harlem
Lived experience that shapes how you see Harlem’s future
Cultural, historical, or systemic insights tied to place
If your idea could be dropped into any city without changing, this may not be the right fit.
Timeline details
Application deadline: January 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Late submissions will not be considered
A complete submission = application + video link
Apply Now:
Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1FZTaSNNd9wSZOOmyah8VwTNmfP10ldelvr_Z22ADAHhjnA/viewform
Additional Information: https://tedxharlem.nyc
You’ll submit your written application and your video link as part of the process.
How to approach this application strategically
A simple framing that works well for TEDxHarlem:
What is happening in Harlem right now that others aren’t naming clearly?
What insight lives at the intersection of culture, history, and future?
What idea helps people see Harlem and what it represents more clearly?
Want help before you submit?
If you want hands-on help shaping your idea for stages like TEDxHarlem (NY), now is the moment.
You can work with me 1:1 if you want personalized strategy, idea development, and application support.
If not, I would still love to know if you apply. I always love supporting you in the application process even if its just to cheer you on to take that first step!
See you in the next drop,
Geleen Antonio
P.S. We have a few seats left for the Speaker Accelerator January cohort since I want to keep this an intimate group and prices go up January 14 for our final week sale. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to take your TEDx goal seriously, this might be it.