Celia Black

Artist, Concerned citizen, Designer, Entrepreneur, Event planner, Foodie, Idea generator, Marketer, Parent, Producer, Technologist, World traveler

For nearly three decades, I've dedicated myself to sharing the remarkable achievements of extraordinary individuals worldwide. Collaborating closely with pioneers in technology and entertainment, I've played a pivotal role in shaping their personal brands, promoting their diverse works spanning books, films, music, and inventions, and establishing them as influential thought leaders and catalysts for change. Today, my mission extends to leveraging this expansive network to drive positive global impact. Additionally, I co-founded KurzweilAI.net, contributed as a founding member to Singularity University, hold accreditation with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and proudly serve as a member of Rotary International.

I'm passionate about expanding my network, forging meaningful connections, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to cultivate an environment where serendipitous encounters lead to breakthrough ideas that benefit humanity.

Embracing cross-pollination and collaboration across diverse disciplines is the key to unlocking the transformative power of creativity, breaking down silos, fostering unexpected connections, embracing serendipity, and cultivating an ecosystem where breakthrough ideas flourish.

Corporate Communications, Event Management, Marketing, Public Relations

My introduction to TED began when I met Richard Saul Wurman in Newport, RI, in 1999. In 2001, I joined inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil to showcase his virtual human avatar, Ramona, at the Monterey, CA TED event. Richard's concept of TED as a gathering of the most fascinating minds resonated deeply with me, reflecting my passion for fostering innovative ideas through diverse collaboration. Over the years, I've kept up with TED's development under Chris Anderson's leadership, appreciating the expansion to include TEDx events and the availability of TED channels on platforms like Roku. Since my initial TED experience in 2001, I've attended several events, including those with Ray Kurzweil in 2005, 2009, and 2014, as well as the 2012 SXSW TED event and TED Vancouver in 2018. Additionally, I've been a regular attendee of TEDxSeattle since its inception in 2010 and currently serve on the TEDxSeattle Speaker Curation Team. Attending TEDNext (formerly TED Women) and volunteering for TED Vancouver are on my list of future aspirations.

Amplifying the dissemination of innovative ideas, fostering meaningful connections, orchestrating pivotal shifts behind the scenes, and ensuring that impactful ideas are shared with the world, all while being rooted in singularity theory and maintaining a holistic understanding of interconnectedness.