15/04/26

Luton is proud to host its very first TEDx event, offering you the unique opportunity to be part of this inspiring occasion.

Theme: “Second Chances”

Our Speakers

  • TEDx Talk Title: “From Cookie Monster to Creative Director - My Careers in Performance.”

    Aaron Spendelow is a Luton born & bred theatre maker, performer and creative producer specialising in work for children and young audiences. With over 20 years’ experience, his work combines storytelling, puppetry and participatory theatre to create inclusive, imaginative experiences for schools and families. Credits include The Cat in the Hat UK Tour, Little Angel Theatre, Sesame Street Live and Spread a Smile Children’s Charity.

    Aaron is the founder and Creative Producer of A Children’s Story, creating theatre and workshops that centre young people’s voices and bring high-quality creative experiences including theatres, festivals schools and community settings.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “Is it Fashion...or is it You?”

    Aimee Gomez is a fashion educator and producer, speaker, and founder working at the intersection of fashion, education, and STEM innovation. Beginning her career as a runway producer, Aimee built her experience behind the scenes of fashion shows before creating The Fashion Breakdown, a platform dedicated to helping young people access real opportunities within the fashion industry.

    When the pandemic brought live events to a halt, Aimee pivoted towards fashion technology and discovered how Science, Technology and Engineering and Mathematics were reshaping the future of fashion. This led her to launch STEM X Fashion, an initiative inspiring the next generation to see STEM as a pathway into creative and aspirational industries.

    Today, Aimee’s work challenges how we think about fashion — not just as an art form, but as a space where innovation, sustainability, and second chances can thrive. Through her talks and programmes, she encourages audiences to rethink their relationship with fashion and imagine a more responsible future.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “Somewhere to Call Home.”

    Chris’Shane is a Luton Native and a survivor of Domestic Violence. Turned community changemaker who has transformed lived experience into purposeful action. With extensive frontline experience in homelessness services within local government authorities, she has worked directly with individuals and families navigating housing instability, trauma, and systemic barriers.

    As the Founder of Hiding Plac3, a grassroots non-profit organisation rooted in dignity and restoration, Chris’Shane has led initiatives providing 80+ restoration packages to people rough sleeping and experiencing homelessness across Luton.

    Her work extends beyond supporting local organisations, including Stepping Stones and Signposts, by giving them restoration packages to support their cohorts too. 

    In her talk, “Somewhere to Call Home”, she will explain the work she does to support families through tailored planning and informal advocacy—helping them navigate complex systems, rebuild stability, and rediscover clarity and purpose.

    Driven by resilience, compassion, and a deep understanding of survival and recovery, Chris’Shane is committed to creating respite spaces for all, alongside collating local voices and exploring how faith can be used in recovery and healing.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “Second Chances Do Not Come Gift-wrapped!"

    Dee Bailey is a dynamic talk show host and presenter, and a passionate community champion dedicated to creating platforms that amplify voices and inspire change.

    As the Founder and CEO of Simply Deez Events CIC, she leads initiatives that bring people together, celebrate culture, and empower communities through meaningful experiences.

    During lockdown, she channelled uncertainty into creativity, becoming a lead author of two collaborative books that captured powerful stories of resilience and transformation. Her work reflects her deep commitment to connection, growth, and opportunity.

    When she’s not hosting, leading, or writing, she can be found attempting to master the art of gardening — proving that growth, whether in communities or flower beds, requires patience, persistence, and heart.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “Rebuilding Intelligence: From Living Systems to Human Impact.”

    Dr Ed Braund is an Associate Professor in Computational Intelligence, Head of the School of Computing, Engineering, and Creative Industries, and Director of Luton AI at the University of Bedfordshire. Ed has previously held senior leadership positions at other universities and has extensive consulting experience in technology sectors.

    His world-leading research focuses on the information processing abilities of biological, chemical, and physical systems to develop bio-processors, sensors, and new forms of computational intelligences. Ed recently created Luton AI, a civic organisation based at the University, which capitalises on the university’s expertise in AI and automation research to foster an ecosystem that drives business innovation and creates high-skilled job opportunities in the region.

    Since its launch in Spring 2024, Luton AI has engaged over 500 organisations and conducted specialised projects to support AI transformation.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “The Architecture of Hope.”

    James Jay Mawaka is the founder of the LeNoir Foundation and a systems thinker who designs practical pathways to give opportunity for those excluded from education and the digital economy. His work focuses on building technology and literacy programmes that treat digital access as essential infrastructure rather than charity.

    James’s authority on second chances is both lived and built. Having arrived in the UK from Zimbabwe as an asylum seeker, he experienced firsthand the gap where social safety nets should be—a journey that transformed his understanding of how opportunity is engineered. Through the LeNoir Foundation and related ventures, he has raised over £100,000 to support schools, community libraries, and digital skills initiatives across the UK, India, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, enabling young people to move from dependency to agency.

    An author of both the purpose-led business guide Business, Impact, Brand and the mindfulness children’s book Keke Misses Home, James is a Forbes EQ contributor who speaks globally on ethical innovation and leadership rooted in service. At TEDxLuton, he presents “The Architecture of Hope,” challenging audiences to stop merely admiring hope and start building the systems that make second chances an inevitable reality.

    When he is not designing impact-led programmes, James is usually mentoring the next generation of changemakers in the art of storytelling.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “Sculpture of Memory”

    Mac Pajka is the creator of Studio Melanix and host of Alchemy of Sculpture workshop, creative sessions where participants use clay to engage with memories that shape them, aiming to help them understand who they are and what they truly want.

    Director at The Orange Picture Club, a community cinema working with numerous local organisations for the betterment of our town. Showcasing gems of international cinema, helping us understand our neighbours through film.

    Co-founder of Sanctuary Global. A hiking initiative aiming to inspire people to explore their immediate surroundings in search of Adventure. Raising over a thousand pounds for charity while walking through hundreds of miles of British countryside.

    Fascinated by the magic-like properties of the arts as a catalyst for the discovery of inspiration and memories. Work completed and projects pursued are created in order to benefit the children, giving them a brighter outlook on the past, present and future.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “Community Radio: Why the Least Trendy Media Might Save Us”

    Shemiza Rashid is a Luton-based, award-winning community broadcaster, creative and cultural producer. She is a creative consultant, cultural leader, and multidisciplinary artist whose work spans writing, performance, and audio storytelling. A published poet and audio drama maker, she is the Founder and Artistic Director of Autonomy Audio Arts.

    With over 30 years of experience in community arts engagement, Shemiza has built a career dedicated to amplifying voices and creating meaningful cultural spaces. Her work has crossed multiple platforms and sectors, spanning classrooms, theatres, television, radio, and film.

    At the heart of her practice is a commitment to access, inclusion, and empowering communities through creativity and sound.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “Changing Narratives and Creating Connections.”

    Victoria Hayford is a Luton-based, award-winning filmmaker and the founder of Moving Image Luton CIC. She holds two Master’s: MA Filmmaking from the prestigious London Film School and MA Screenwriting from University of the Arts London.

    Victoria’s work has played at the Cannes International Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival.

    Her feature script LOWRARCHY was selected for development by Babylon, the pan-European feature development initiative. Casting and crewing among Luton’s creative community, Victoria has now shot a proof–of–concept/trailer for LOWRARCHY and is currently seeking funding to shoot the feature film in Luton.

    In the past, Victoria has taught at Britain’s iconic Pinewood Studios and at Metfilm School, located at the world’s oldest film studios, Ealing Studios, in London. And has also taught young people filmmaking on London Film School’s Outreach programme.

    Her newly incorporated CIC, Moving Image Luton, is developing a film hub in Luton and is one of the companies supported on Culture Trust Luton’s Creative Pioneers programme.

  • TEDx Talk Title: “The Three Acorns”

    Wade Wilson is the founder of X-4RCE CIC, a grassroots movement in Luton creating safe, inclusive spaces where men can connect, talk openly, and prioritise their mental health without judgement.

    Through peer-led groups, fitness sessions, and community initiatives, Wade has helped build a supportive network grounded in lived experience, real conversation and challenging stigma and encouraging men to show up for themselves and each other.

    Driven by a passion for community and creativity, Wade is also the CEO of Luton Comic Con CIC, using events and culture to bring people together, celebrate individuality, and strengthen a sense of belonging across Luton. His work centres on creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

    Outside of his community work, Wade is known for his humour, love of cosplay and the energy he brings into the room. He believes life should always include a bit of fun alongside purpose.

  • Majendi Jarrett is a marketing graduate from the University of Bedfordshire previously University of Luton with a career spanning across the Paper and Appliance industries. In the years since leaving the corporate world, she has published the books Marley’s Memoir: A Journey to An Irreversible Action and he Aftermath, Living Without Marley, and He Cares and has anthologized the trilogy as The Complete Loss and Grief Series.

    Majendi is also an inspirational speaker at women’s conference and churches and a member of Luton Christian Fellowship. She is also founder of Marley’s Aart Foundation, a registered charity which provides access to Art Therapy in schools and the community for children and young people with mental health conditions.

    Sierra Leonean born Majendi, has lived in Bedfordshire for over 30 years and worked in Luton and is passionate about Luton and Dunstable and the surrounding areas.

    She loves reading, gardening, travelling to new places, and learning new things. Majendi lives in Bedfordshire with her husband and son.

  • Haneefah Muhammad is a Luton-based award-winning poet and the co-founder of Voices of Nubian Queens, an annual event reflecting the creativity of local black women in Luton and the surrounding areas.  The event also celebrates the strengths and contributions of black women throughout history.  Currently, Haneefah, her co-producer and a team of volunteers are preparing for the third Voices of Nubian Queens show on 14th March. The show features new and established performers and this year it includes singers, poets, and dancers; the event takes place during the celebration of International Women’s Day on 8th March each year.

    As a Soul-based Life Coach and an author, Haneefah has self-published an anthology of poems in her book My Soul Purpose, where she explores issues like social justice, relationships, and spirituality.  She has also co-authored three other books and says, “Poetry is music to my soul.”

    Haneefah is a mental health professional, and while working in London, together with a colleague, she introduced the first day service specifically aimed at meeting the unique needs of African Caribbean adults experiencing mental health challenges.  Twenty years later, The Oremi Centre (now renamed) has continued its work, and Haneefah is proud of her contribution to the birth of this service.  She wrote a book for professionals and non-professionals with tips for managing stress in healthy ways.  Haneefah combines her creative and mental health skills to develop and deliver therapeutic programmes to individuals attending NHS Recovery College courses in Bedfordshire.  She is currently running a Poetry for Wellbeing course for the College.

    In 2024, with support from a colleague, Haneefah produced an event showcasing the creative writing and poetry performance skills of a group of black women aged 60+ in Luton and the surrounding area. Her passion for the project (funded by Revoluton Arts) came from the lack of opportunities and visibility of these women on spoken word, storytelling, or other creative arts platforms where she is sometimes invited. 

    As a member of the Windrush generation, Haneefah experienced health challenges as a child.  Today, she is on a mission to provide platforms for ‘seasoned’ black women to rewrite the narrative of ‘invisibility’ based on their age, health, gender, or other perceived limitations.  She is determined that women in their later years (just like herself!) should be respected as active creatives with skills and potential to create inter-generational and community cohesion using their cultural knowledge, their intellectual capabilities, and their resilience.

  • Yvonne Michéle is a West End performer, singer, speaker, and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist. She is the creator of the one-woman musical monologue Caught You In A Lie and the voice behind her up & coming single “Stronger”. As the founder of GEM Academy for performing arts, she empowers women and girls to find their voice, challenge limiting beliefs, and step into confidence through music and storytelling.

 

Luton Library Theatre, St. George's Square, Luton LU1 2NG, UK

  • 10-minute drive from Junction 10 M1 (Pepperstock interchange), alternatively a 15-minute drive from J11 M1. The nearest car park is situated behind the theatre on Library Road. There is also a disabled car park next to the theatre building.

  • For the full list of bus routes, click here

  • Luton Library theatre is a 6 minute walk from Luton Train Station