In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Farmington Correctional Center
1012 West Columbia Street
Farmington, Missouri, 63640
United States

Aaron Thomas

Musician

I am a . . . Christian, musician, life mentor, aspiring polyglot, change agent, brainstormer, idea generator, inventor, forever student. I’m passionate about . . . spreading the gospel, family, and helping the ones considered to be the least among us. An idea worth spreading . . . No matter your situation, there is always hope. No matter where you are in life, you can always progress. A former college athlete and soldier, I look forward to the future using the skills I have acquired to better society. I am waiting with great anticipation for the opportunity to help people on a larger scale and spread the Good News. As a man of faith, I know I will be successful.

Alan Johnson

Musician

I am an . . . artist, Christian, investor, job-seeker, musician, parent, performer, public servant, and student. Areas of expertise . . . playing music (composing and producing), poetry, journalism, and writing. People don’t know I’m good at . . . Writing poetry is a secret talent of mine. I’m passionate about . . .helping people. I strive to be a philanthropist. An idea worth spreading . . . Love and charity start at home. I am an African American born and raised in St. Louis, MO. I play multiple instruments and write poetry. I play and enjoy listening to all kinds of music. I plan to use this talent to make money, which I will invest. I love to help others. My dream is to be a philanthropist. I want to take care of people and be known for generosity. I have a son who inspires me, and loving others is a lesson I want to share with him. I am a man of faith. I use what I know and believe to share love and kindness with every human being.

Ali Cubba

Student + performer

Ali Cubba is a proud father and a devout man of God. Arrested at the young age of 17, Ali has spent the last 13 years working on himself and engaging in honest and intense self-reflection. He is determined not to let his time go on in vain, so he has immersed himself into several programs and classes geared towards rehabilitation and knowledge of self. He also has participated in several job readiness programs and vocational training. Upon his release he hopes to reconnect with his son and family and become a conduit for change in his community.

Andre Norman

Motivational speaker + mentor

Andre Norman's journey from solitary confinement to becoming a Harvard Fellow is a testament to resilience and second chances. For the past 24 years, he has captivated audiences globally, speaking in schools, boardrooms, and prison units alike, drawing on his unique experience to guide others through the process of overcoming impossible odds and conquering self-doubt. Engaging prestigious platforms such as the YPO International event and lecturing at the renowned London Business School, Andre's impact reaches over 20 countries and more than 2000 companies. A collaborator with agencies like CECP, Genius Network, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, CEG, UKG, and Aventiv, he is also a recognized leader in prison reform, working towards a positive shift in perceptions and societal change. As a captivating podcast host and second-chance mentor, Andre daily reaches over 650,000 inmates, instilling in them the belief that positive transformation is not only possible but achievable.

Antwan Guthrie

Gamer

I am an…idea generator, parent, potential gaming journalist, project manager, public servant, husband, Marine, future streamer, future podcaster, hardcore gamer. I’m passionate about…my children, the videogame industry, nerd culture, cooking. Though born in St. Louis, MO, Antwan Guthrie lived and was raised first in E. St. Louis, IL, then Cahokia, IL, and finally Belleville, IL, where he graduated. Immediately after graduating, he joined the United States Marine Corps. Discharged after four years of service, he moved with the mother of his three children to O’Fallon, MO. He eventually married his decades-long friend Connie in 2021. Before incarceration, he bounced between customer service and IT jobs while remaining a passionate, hardcore gamer. In the future, he plans on hosting his own YouTube channel and a podcast covering different aspects of the gaming industry.

Christopher Mollett

Musician

I was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, to James and Julie and had a very good childhood. Things took a turn when I was sexually abused by a family friend. I dove deep into drugs and alcohol from a very young age to hide the pain and shame. Addiction followed me into adulthood and led me to prison. In 2015 I was sentenced to 22 years. Most people would look at that as a death sentence, but I do not. Prison saved my life because of the love and support of family and friends inside and outside of the Department of Corrections. I have been able to maintain nine years of sobriety from drugs and alcohol and have a chance to go home a better man than I was when I came in. I could go home any time now. I can’t wait to share my music, my voice, and my love with the world and show that I am not the same man I used to be.

Danielle Barton

Teacher

I began my career in education in 2001 in St. Louis, MO, and always had a dream of living near the beach. In 2006, I relocated to Florida and lived out my dream for 15 years. I recently returned to Missouri to help my mother. Returning to MO was stressful and depressing, so I created Leadbelt Off-Road, which is a club for those who drive 4x4’s. This club has given me the opportunity to form friendships, build community alliances, and raise money for various charities. Mental health has always been on the forefront of my mind as I struggled with suicidal thoughts early on in college. I believe in normalizing talk about suicide. For me, the best prevention has been talking about it.

Eddie Dean

Musician

I am an . . . artist, athlete, Christian, musician, parent, performer, public servant, student. Areas of expertise . . . music, working out. People don’t know I’m good at . . . playing instruments, cooking. I’m passionate about . . . trying to do the right thing in life, giving back to the community by mentoring youth. An idea worth spreading . . . God loves us. I am a Kansas City native, a father, and a God-fearing man who grew up playing music for a family church. As I grew and got better, I played for some different recording artists and wish to teach what I know about music to other people.

Irving Berry

Musician

I was born August 7, 1950, at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis. When I was two, my very young mother gave me to my grandparents, Deacon George Berry and Deaconess Lillian Berry. I was the only child of color in an all-white grade school in Carondelet, Missouri, from kindergarten to 8th grade. Then I moved to the projects in downtown St. Louis. My father, Irving Berry, was a young rough-neck in search of a wild life. I met him when he finally settled down with Barbara Jean, the classiest white woman I ever knew. She did a great job as a mother, but I was just destined to live the life I lived. I entered the Missouri Department of Corrections in 1979 and have been here ever since. Nevertheless, my heart feels God has a plan. Years ago, I helped put on a show for my fourth cousin Chuck Berry at the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. Chuck put on a great show, and I met his daughter.

James Rogalski

Optimist

I am a . . . Christian, public servant, college graduate, job seeker, marketer, promoter. Areas of expertise . . . never giving up; being willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve my goal. People don’t know I’m good at . . . thinking outside the box, connecting dots that do not typically go together for a better purpose or understanding. I’m passionate about . . . My Lord Savior Jesus Christ and whatever he leads me to do. An idea worth spreading . . . What is done is done. The past cannot be changed. The present and the future can be different by a newfound understanding. Eugene Rogalski, Holocaust survivor #119165, is my relative

Jamie Cochran

Writer/mentor

In high school, I was voted class favorite and class flirt and VP. I was president of the vocational and industrial clubs of America, took first place at district level of autobody and collision repair, and was the team captain of the varsity football team. After this, I served four years in the Marine Corps. I graduated bootcamp as the platoon honor man, was second-best shot on rifle qualification day, and was in the top five of my class in the school of electronics and communications in 29 Palms, CA. While in prison, 3 years in an intensive therapeutic community transformed my life. Positive behavior helped me to break my destructive cycle of addiction. I have facilitated courses in achieving and maintaining sobriety, overcoming errors in thinking, and embracing positive masculinity. I’m employed full-time at the prison clothing factory at Farmington Correctional, earning 70 cents an hour. I enjoy creative writing and putting together short scripts for my Recovery Radio show.

Jay Robinson

Musician

I have had to come to grips with the pain and trauma I have caused to so many, especially those I love and care for most. However, I’m an eternal optimist and always full of hope. By living life in a positive manner, I am confident in my ability to lead a healthy lifestyle and contribute to my community. By serving others through music and education, I have seen how hope and joy can be shared. I believe that this positivity can be spread exponentially through society.

Jeshua Noel

Writer + tutor

Jeshua Noel is a GED tutor and program facilitator at Farmington Correctional Center. They are a passionate social entrepreneur and an advocate for care, from the self to the community. In 2018, Jeshua founded Rici Recycling, a reinvention of small-town recycling practices and an initiative that continues to serve rural communities throughout northeastern Missouri. They also created Kaomi Nuts, a pop-up shop and delivery service for handmade vegan peanut butter. In 2019, they used the proceeds to organize Hannibal, Missouri’s first city-wide Black Lives Matter protest, to produce a live music showcase and interactive painting project for the town’s first Juneteenth celebration. A writer of essays and short fiction, host of The Thumb Through—a podcast that summarizes education research for busy professionals, and a former editorial coordinator and writing coach, Jeshua today enjoys writing, music, drawing portraits, and serving their students inside and outside of the classroom.

Josh McDonald

Correctional officer

Officer MacDonald began his career as a Correctional Officer I in 2015. He has served on the Certified Emergency Response Team, Peer Action Care Team, and Crises Intervention Team. The experience he gained working in these various roles inside the fence has shaped him into the officer he is today.

Kenneth Stotts

Mentor and tutor

I grew up the youngest of four boys in a traditional lifestyle. I was a scholar/athlete in high school (baseball and football). I attended St. Louis Community College, then transferred with a scholarship in 2008 to St. Louis University, where I pursued a degree in psychology with the intent of becoming a physician’s assistant. I did all of this while working as a medical technician in Ambulatory Surgery at DePaul Hospital for 7 years. I was in charge of training new hires in phlebotomy, lab work, charting, vital signs, EKGs, and patient care. In prison, I have worked in Missouri Vocational Enterprises, the warehouse, and, currently, canteen. I also served as a volunteer tutor in the transitional housing unit.

LeRon Barton

Writer + speaker + activist

LeRon L. Barton is a writer from Kansas City, MO, currently living in San Diego, CA. A graduate of Paseo Academy of Fine Arts, LeRon is the author of two books, Straight Dope: A 360-Degree Look into American Drug Culture and All We Really Need Is Love: Stories of Dating, Relationships, Heartbreak, and Marriage. In addition to authoring books, LeRon is an essayist whose topics cover racism, mass incarceration, politics, gender, and dating. His work has appeared in Black Enterprise, Salon, Harvard Business Review, The Good Men Project, YourTango, Media Diversity, Raconteur, Elephant Journal, Slate, and MoAD. LeRon is an international speaker who has given multiple talks, appearing at TEDx, Al Jazeera, Navis, Speakers Who Dare, Nas Dubai, Glide Memorial Church, HCA, The City of Cupertino, Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, Square, Lockton, United Way of Los Angeles, and Defy Ventures. In his spare time, LeRon enjoys mentoring African-American youth and backpacking around the world.

Mark Powell

Event planner

Originally named Adam Clayton at birth, Mark was raised with a love of both politics and religion, much like the former congressman and pastor he was named after. Throughout his life, Mark was fortunate enough to be exposed to many different environments and communities and from that experience has learned that there is far more that unites people than divides them. He currently spends his time organizing, programming, studying, and preparing. He believes that even our most difficult experiences only represent a chapter and there’s more to the story.

Matthew Mason

Musician/singer

I was born to two blind parents in Kansas City, MO. Being their eyes, I led them around from a very young age. Ask yourself what you could have gotten away with if your parents were blind? Chances are that your answer is my experience. Mom said I was the only one of her four sons who’d sing to himself in the crib, humming little tunes before I really even knew how to talk. Type 2 Diabetes has been a curable/reversible disease for me, with the adherence to prayer and a change of diet from the Standard American Diet. I believe that most (if not all) of our diseases can be remedied with the tools of whole food nutrition and exercise. I was employed for 22 years at Dollar General Distribution Center as a forklift operator. Through a 27-year marriage (currently ended), I’m the father of six Christian, home-schooled kids. We have been the guardians of a seventh child–our niece—since she was 13 years old.

Matthew Petty

Re-entry director

I am a 21-year veteran of the Missouri Dept of Corrections and have held several positions in that time. I started my career as a Corrections Officer in October 2002 at the Eastern Region Diagnostic and Correctional Center. I promoted to Corrections Classification Assistant in 2009, Corrections Case Manager I in 2016, and Corrections Case Manager II in 2017. I promoted to Corrections Case Manager III in 2019 and am currently assigned to Farmington Correctional Center’s Reentry Unit. I am committed to effecting lasting change within the Missouri Department of Corrections through Reentry, positivity, and prosocial activities and events.

Paul Cote

Educator

I was raised in rural northeast Kansas. Family was always the center of our lives, but as the black sheep, I never felt like I fit in. My dad died of ALS when I was four, and this fueled a life of bitterness, anger, and self-doubt. I was selfish, manipulative, and I only thought of myself and what I wanted. I have been married twice and have three children and three grandchildren. I came to the Missouri Department of Corrections nearly 24 years ago. It has been a learning experience. Today I am a better man, physically, mentally, spiritually, and academically. My greatest personal achievement is learning that I like to help others. I am a high school equivalency tutor, and I take pride in watching students succeed. I have also managed to earn my BA, something I never dreamed possible. My goal going forward is to show society that there are many incarcerated people who deserve another chance, and I want to help them get that chance.

Sabrina Buddemeyer

Paralegal + advocate

I am an … activist, athlete, brainstormer, change agent, educator/teacher, environmentalist, life mentor, student. I’m passionate about . . . helping others, especially people whose rights are in question and those unable to advocate for themselves. An idea worth spreading . . . Life goes on. It does not matter if you are in prison or out. We all create relationships, find purpose in our communities, and make lives for ourselves. I am a certified paralegal working toward my Bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. I constantly strive to improve myself and my community so the world can live up to its potential. It is my dream to be an advocate for the voiceless and protect the rights of people who cannot defend themselves.

Samuel Render

Gamer

I am a…Buddhist, entrepreneur, foodie, gamer, husband, idea generator, parent, prison reform activist, streamer, student. I’m passionate about: family, gaming, changing criminal law, prisoners’ constitutional rights. Though born in Rochester, New York, Samuel Render grew up in Merritt Island / Orlando, Florida. As an adult, he made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, where he met Christina whom he married in 2017. He has 4 children (3 biological and 1 bonus child). He graduated, with honors, from Blackstone Career Institute Paralegal Career Training Program and is also a video game / streamer aficionado. He enjoys cooking for his family and others, especially barbecue; watching an array of movies; and going to comedy shows. He plans to continue his education in Legal Studies and pursue a career as a paralegal.

Shelia Pigmon

Re-entry coordinator

I have worked with justice-involved individuals for 33 years. For the first 21 years, I worked with juveniles. I began at Farmington Correctional Center in 2012 as a Substance Abuse Counselor. I transitioned to Case Management; then, in 2023, FCC opened its Reentry Center and my true passion emerged. It is extremely satisfying to help individuals eliminate barriers and prepare to step back into the community. Being in this new position allows me to think outside the box of a typical institutional setting. I am passionate about learning, traveling, animals, and nature. I am a compulsive recycler, an avid reader, and member of a trivia team. I have many nieces and nephews, and love being an aunt. My child is a Yorkipoo named Tessa.

Teri Vandergriff

Warden

Born on F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Warden Vandergriff has lived in Missouri for the past 26 years. She began her career in Corrections in 2005 as a Corrections Officer 1 at Potosi Correctional Center (PCC) and moved up the ranks. In addition to PCC, Warden Vandergriff has worked at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (ERDCC) and Farmington Correctional Center (FCC) in the following positions: Corrections Officer, Substance Abuse Counselor, Caseworker, Functional Unit Manager, Assistant Warden, Deputy Warden and Warden, a post she has held at FCC since July 2017. Warden Vandergriff’s goal is for FCC to become the leading national model for reentry. Apart from her many duties at FCC, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Corrections runs in the family: her husband is PCC Warden David Vandergriff. Warden Vandergriff holds an M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.

Tyrone Adams

Poet

From inner city youth, with typical attitudes and behaviors, to an exceptional student of life: this has been the journey for Kansas City native brother Tyrone Adams (Tau Kamau Adwin). Poor lifestyle choices led him to prison, where he’s spent half of his 45 years striving for knowledge of self. Through perseverance he has successfully completed two vocational courses (culinary arts and building trades), created and facilitated several rehabilitative programs, earned an associate’s degree, served as president of an NAACP prison chapter, organized/hosted several events (mental health awareness, Juneteenth), and participated in countless restorative justice activities (including garden and woodshop). He is currently involved in the Afrocentric movement and a systematic process of spiritual and cultural development. He is a strong advocate for African agency and looks forward to assisting his best friend in the reparations movement in Kansas City when he returns home.

William Carrico

Dog trainer

My name is William, but I have answered to Willard most of my life. I am the youngest amongst my siblings. I am a hard worker and strive to do my best at what I am tasked to do. I am an avid outdoorsman and would prefer to disappear into the forest and leave modernized life behind.

Willie McNeil

Writer + editor

I am an. . . artist, Christian, explorer, filmmaker, idea generator, photographer, potential employee, public servant, sales specialist, writer/editor. Areas of expertise . . . film, sales, writing. I’m passionate about . . . friends, love, family, and God. An idea worth spreading . . . Love hard and protect everything you love. Born in St. Louis, I’ve lived on the east and west coast. I am a firm believer that God directs our path. I am in the SRU (Social Rehabilitation Unit). This is a place to think about what’s important in life and to better myself by changing my outlook on life.