STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — What does the future look like, and how soon will it arrive?
That question came to life earlier this month as TEDxElmPark returned for its third year at Wagner College’s Horrmann Library.
The Oct. 3 event, themed “The Future: Now or When?,” brought together more than 100 attendees for a full day of talks spanning leadership, mental health, creativity and entrepreneurship. Organized by Damilola Banwo Oyalaja, founder of The Audacity Network Inc., the independently run TEDx program showcased a diverse lineup of Staten Island professionals and creatives sharing ideas worth spreading.
Oyalaja delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for a day centered on learning and collaboration.
“It was about appreciating the team, the speakers who worked tirelessly to come give an inspirational, educational talk,” she said. “The volunteers, the young persons, the professionals who worked even after their full-time job — they were all involved in ensuring the event was a success.”
Talks ran about 16 minutes each, covering topics such as preserving creativity in children, preventing burnout as leaders and shaping tomorrow’s innovators through today’s actions. Speakers included empowerment coaches, educators, nonprofit leaders and entrepreneurs.
Over 100 attendees gathered to hear talks on creativity, leadership and entrepreneurship from local professionals at the Oct. 3, 2025, TEDxElmPark event.Courtesy of Moex Media LLC
For Oyalaja, the event’s guiding question was a philosophy as much as it was a prompt.
“When we talk about the future, the future is now,” she said. “Whatever thing we have in mind for the future, we should start doing it now.”
That mindset shaped the day’s programming, which emphasized both inspiration and connection. Between talks, attendees mingled and networked, striking up conversations that continued long after sessions ended.
“Beyond just having a TEDx talk or having people come listen, one of the goals was to ensure that there was time for people to really connect,” Oyalaja said. “It was such a beautiful sight, seeing people connecting, exchanging contacts, laughing and giggling in between breaks.”
This year’s event was hosted in partnership with Wagner College, with staff supporting the production and logistics. The program closed with remarks from Wagner’s President for External Affairs and Chief Communications Officer James A. Chiavelli II.
Speaker Ranti Ogunleye, left, and organizer Damilola Banwo Oyalaja, right, at the TEDxElmPark event on Oct. 3, 2025.Courtesy of Moex Media LLC
Oyalaja said the real impact of TEDxElmPark can already be felt in the community.
“It’s always a goal that we continue to build connections — not ordinary connections, but those that help us grow, learn and shift perspectives in the right direction,” she said.
Looking ahead, she hopes to expand the spirit of TEDx beyond the annual stage, creating more spaces for Staten Islanders to share ideas and collaborate.
“When you have more people thinking in that direction — bringing in events that are geared towards impacting the younger generation — you’re helping to make the community, make the world, a tad better than it was yesterday,” Oyalaja said. “Myself and a couple of community connections and friends, we’re working on something for next year that amplifies that, you know, that would take the fashion of a TEDx, but something that focuses on thriving, creating innovation in our community.”
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