I’m Durrel K. Douglas, and Third Ward has always been more than a neighborhood to me. It is the place that shaped my values, sharpened my voice, and taught me that leadership begins with listening. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of founding organizations, building campaigns, and standing alongside everyday people who dared to believe they could change the world.

 

In 2014, I launched Houston Justice with our very first meeting at the historic El Dorado Ballroom. That night, I saw the power of what happens when people gather with purpose. It was proof that when you create a platform for voices too often overlooked, the community rises higher together.

 

TEDxThirdWard was born from that same conviction. I didn’t want to just share my own story. I wanted to build a stage where others could stand tall and be heard, where bold ideas could echo beyond the walls of this community and into the wider world.

 

This event is more than a date on the calendar. It is a movement of curiosity, creativity, and connection. It is a space where visionaries, dreamers, and doers come together to stretch the limits of what is possible.

 

I believe there is a TED Talk in all of us. My hope is that TEDxThirdWard inspires you not only to listen but to imagine yourself on that stage, sharing your truth, shaping your future, and daring to do something extraordinary.

 

With gratitude,

Durrel K. Douglas

Lead Organizer & Curator, TEDxThirdWard