Franklin. J. Ambo

Artist, Blogger, Concerned citizen, Photographer

From design to cinema, hospitality to higher education, I've moved through many roles. But at the core of it all is one constant: a deep love for art. Whether through photography, storytelling, or creative direction, I’m drawn to the spaces where emotion meets expression. That’s where I feel most at home.

I’m passionate about creating spaces where real conversations happen, where silence isn’t feared, where vulnerability isn’t shamed, and where people feel genuinely seen. My background isn’t traditional. I didn’t come into this world through privilege or linear success. I came through survival, through depression, grief, isolation, and the long process of learning how to stay standing in a world that often encourages us to pretend we’re okay. That’s why this work matters to me. I believe in stories that aren’t polished for performance. I believe in ideas that challenge, disrupt, and ask us to sit in discomfort long enough to grow from it. I want TEDx to be more than just a stage, it should be a platform for the voices we don’t usually hear. The ones that speak softly. The ones that speak from lived experience. The ones that bleed truth. I’m passionate about creating meaningful experiences for audiences, not just talks that impress, but ones that linger. I want people to leave not with answers, but with better questions. And if even one person watches a talk and feels a little less alone, a little more connected, then it’s worth it.

Curiosity has always been my religion, quiet, unshakeable, and sacred. It’s the drive beneath every question I’ve asked, every truth I’ve chased, and every part of myself I’ve tried to understand. Without curiosity, there is no growth, no learning, and no real human connection. We don’t need louder voices, we need deeper questions.

mental health, Photography, writing

I believe in ideas that come from experience, not just expertise. TEDx, to me, is about creating a space where different perspectives matter. Where stories aren’t always loud, but they stay with you. That’s what I want to help build. I’ve always been curious, about people, about systems, about the way we communicate. Over time, I’ve realised that curiosity isn’t just a trait. It’s a tool. It’s what helps us understand each other, challenge assumptions, and create change. My TED story isn’t about chasing the spotlight. It’s about making space for others to share ideas that need to be heard. That’s why I’m here.

Creating calm in chaos. I’m the person who keeps things steady when plans fall apart. Whether it’s managing a team, handling unexpected changes, or navigating tough conversations, I stay focused. Most people don’t see it because I don’t shout about it. But I notice the details, I listen more than I speak, and I adapt fast. People are often surprised by how creative I am, too. Whether it’s photography, writing, or finding solutions that others miss, I’m good at seeing things from a different angle. I’m also good at building structure. When something doesn’t exist, I’ll quietly create it, from workflows to communication systems to creative projects. I don’t wait for perfect conditions. I just get on with it.