At NC State, students have the power to bring ideas to life.

That vision took center stage at TEDxNCState 2025, where the theme “Nexus” brought together ideas and voices across the Wolfpack community to advance a more sustainable world.

Driven by NC State students through the campus organization MIx: Motivation and Inspiration, the event received support from the NC State Sustainability Fund, which helps make transformative student-led initiatives possible.

TEDxNCState 2025 featured seven speakers exploring topics such as the link between soil health and fashion, entrepreneurship in farming and Indigenous approaches to well-being.

“These talks not only spread awareness but also encourage meaningful actions that NC State community members, especially students, can take toward creating a more sustainable world,” said student organizer Samantha Weber. “Our goal is to inspire students to think deeply, engage in conversations and take action toward bettering their communities.”

Among the featured speakers was Gavin Bell, a doctoral student in the College of Education and student affairs specialist for the Office of Equal Opportunity. Bell’s talk explored holistic well-being through an Indigenous healing framework, drawing from his lived experience as a member of the Lumbee Tribe. 

Clarenda “Farmer Cee” Stanley, founder of Green Heffa Farms in Chatham County, the country’s first Black-owned farm to achieve Certified B Corp status, inspired audiences to rethink the connection between farming, wellness and entrepreneurship. In 2024, Stanley also partnered with a College of Design course focused on solving wicked problems through design.

Alianna Kendall-Brooks, a College of Humanities and Social Sciences graduate and former editor-in-chief of The Nubian Message, was also a featured speaker. Kendall-Brook’s talk explored the role journalism plays in truth-telling and community empowerment.

With support from the Sustainability Fund, TEDxNCState will continue to empower students to share bold ideas in 2026.

Students and student organizations can now apply for funding of up to $1,000 to be used this year through the FastTrack Grant Cycle. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m., November 12.

Need more funding and time? The Sustainability Fund’s Normal Grant Cycle is open and available to the entire NC State campus community, including students, staff, organizations and departments. The Fund awards over $155,000 during this cycle and applications are due by Feb. 8. 

Learn more at go.ncsu.edu/ssf.