TEDxMorgan State University

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Dr. David Castain

  Speaker + Entrepreneur

  Dr. David Castain is a serial entrepreneur, behavioral scientist, professor, therapist, and licensed life coach. He has been recognized by Forbes, named among the United Nations Top 100 Most Influential People, and served on the Rolling Stone Culture Council, Newsweek Expert Forum, Bank of America Advisory Panel, LinkedIn Advisors, and Drugwatch’s team of medical experts. He is CEO of David Castain & Associates, a conceptual marketing firm that applies behavioral science to solve complex business growth challenges. His clients have included Cort Furniture, Uber, and Chipotle. A self-made millionaire, he has traveled to more than 60 countries studying human behavior, marketing systems, and mental health across cultures. Dr. Castain holds degrees from Howard University, Georgetown University, and The Chicago School, and founded the David Castain Foundation to equip at-risk youth with tools for resilience and sustainable futures.

• Dr. Erin Lynch, Ph.D., Ed.D., CRA

  Scholar + Research Executive + President

  Dr. Erin Lynch, Ph.D., Ed.D., CRA, is a nationally recognized scholar, research executive, and President of the QEM Network, where she leads more than $25 million in STEM initiatives expanding national research capacity and workforce development. With over $69.7 million secured in sponsored funding and over $1 billion in proposals developed, she has driven transformative growth at multiple institutions. A former educator and prolific scholar, Dr. Lynch bridges policy, digital storytelling, and innovation to strengthen HBCUs, advance equity, and shape a more competitive, secure national STEM ecosystem.

• Dr. William L. Blake

  Leader + Public Speaker

  Dr. William L. Blake is a veteran educator, school leader, and author of The AI School Leader: Leading with Efficiency, Innovation, and Adaptability. A proud alumnus of Morgan State University, Dr. Blake has dedicated his career to advancing equity-centered leadership and empowering educators to thrive in an evolving educational landscape. With extensive experience in K–12 school leadership and professional development, he works nationally to help schools integrate artificial intelligence with integrity, strategy, and humanity. Through his writing, speaking, and coaching, Dr. Blake champions a future where innovation strengthens relationships, amplifies student voice, and ensures every learner has access to opportunity.

• Gabrielle Hall

  Entrepreneur

  Gabrielle Hall is a Program Coordinator at the Baltimore Metropolitan Women’s Business Center, where she leads strategic programming that equips women entrepreneurs with mentorship, capital access, procurement readiness, and sustainable growth strategies. She manages operations, data systems, partnerships, and initiatives connecting minority founders to funding and certification opportunities. She is also Founder and CEO of Grain of Arcane, a wellness brand rooted in natural hair and skincare. Through equity-centered grant writing and accelerators, she has secured over $18,000 in non-dilutive funding and built strategic retail and community partnerships across Baltimore. A certified Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aider, Gabrielle integrates emotional wellness into business and creative spaces through panels, workshops, and advocacy. Her work promotes inclusive economic empowerment, holistic leadership, and community-driven innovation.

• George Sedberry

  Speaker + Educator

  TBD

• Kiante Bush

  Tech Enthusiast + Ecosystem Builder

  Kiante Bush is an award-winning tech leader, author, investor, and ecosystem architect building pathways where innovation meets opportunity. His work sits at the intersection of technology, education, and empowerment, expanding access to capital, networks, and legacy-building. He is Founder and CEO of Venture for T.H.E.M., a Maryland-based startup launchpad advancing HBCU founders through non-dilutive funding, venture mentorship, and Fortune 500 partnerships. His leadership bridges corporate innovation with emerging entrepreneurship while mobilizing ecosystems around access and equity. Kiante has been recognized as a BEYA Modern-Day Technology Leader and named to the Black Tech Saturdays Future 100, with features in Forbes, Black Enterprise, AfroTech, Revolt News, and CBS News. A two-time Morgan State University graduate in Engineering and Business, he champions the next generation of builders and innovators.

• Niaomi S. MoShier

  Student + Public Health Researcher + Advocate

  Niaomi S. MoShier is a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at Morgan State University, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is a public health researcher and advocate advancing health equity through community-centered, policy-informed, and data-driven approaches. Her work focuses on intimate partner violence prevention among college-aged Black women, sexual and reproductive health, women’s health, and human rights. She earned an MPH from George Washington University, where her thesis examined conditions enabling gender-based violence against young Black women, and a BA in Political Science from Howard University with minors in Biology and Chemistry. She currently serves as a Public Health Workforce Development Intern at the Maryland Department of Health, supporting research on the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and Maryland’s Syndemic Integrated Plan. She also serves on the Board of the Abortion Fund of Maryland and holds leadership roles with the Black Caucus of Health Workers.

• Tomisin Adebari

  Master's Student

  Tomisin Adebari is a Biomedical Engineering Master's student at Johns Hopkins University, specializing in Computational Medicine. Originally from Nigeria, she is a proud Morgan State alumna whose research spans systems biology, AI in medicine, and oncology-related applications. Passionate about health equity, she works at the intersection of computational research and clinical impact. Aspiring to become a physician-engineer, Tomisin is committed to building healthcare solutions that are both technologically advanced and socially just.